The Vikings and tight end T.J. Hockenson have agreed to a contract extension ahead of the 2023 season, the team announced on Thursday. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is a four-year, $68 million contract.
With the extension, Hockenson becomes the highest paid tight end on a per-year basis, surpassing Giants tight end Darren Waller by making $17.125 million a year. He trails only George Kittle in total value, as the 49ers tight end is set to make $75 million over his five-year contract.
Hockenson will also $42.5 million guaranteed as part of the deal, the most for a tight end in NFL history.
Highest paid TEs in per year average:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2023
🏈T.J. Hockenson $17.125M
🏈Darren Waller: $17M
🏈George Kittle: $15M
🏈Travis Kelce: $14.31M
🏈Dallas Goedert: $14.25M
🏈Mark Andrews: $14M
Minnesota acquired Hockenson from the Lions via trade in the middle of the 2022 season. The tight end produced a career high of 914 receiving yards and six touchdowns last season, which included 519 yards in ten games with the Vikings.
In Minnesota’s lone playoff game last season, Hockenson had his best performance with the Vikings, totaling 10 catches for 129 yards vs. the Giants. He immediately provided a complement to star wide receiver and last year’s receiving yards champion Justin Jefferson.
Hockenson, who was a Lions first-round draft pick in 2019, was set to enter the 2023 season on the final year of his deal. Minnesota successfully extended him before the year began instead of having negotiations leak into the season.
