T.J.

Hockenson

Hockenson more or less repeated his Week 1 statline, only this time on far less passing volume for the Vikings’ offense. Carson Wentz attempted just 20 throws as the Vikes went “survive and advance” mode in weather-addled Chicago. With Kyler Murray expected to return from his concussion in Week 3 in Tampa, perhaps Hockenson can post a higher-end TE2 statline.

Hockenson finished second on the team in targets, though his 17 percent target share isn’t much to write home about. He found paydirt late in the third quarter on a red zone strike from Carson Wentz over the middle of the field. Wentz was filling in for a concussed Kyler Murray, who will likely miss Week 2. Hockenson is more of a TE2 than a true TE1, but his strong Week 1 outing at least puts him on the border versus the Bears next week.

The move saves $5 million against the cap for the Vikings in 2026, a franchise that is now scrambling to get under the salary cap following numerous high profile moves made the year prior. Hockenson is coming off the worst statistical season of his career following a devastating knee injury suffered in 2024. Now two years removed from the injury and playing with something to prove, the fantasy needle could be pointing up should he find more consistent quarterback play moving forward.

With Jordan Addison taking a major leap in 2024, Hockenson has slid into an uninteresting low-end TE1 stab over the past two years, generating 41/455/0 in 2024 and 51/438/3 in 2025. Cutting Hockenson would free up over $8.9 million in cap space for a team that’s currently up against it to get cap-compliant and The Athletic’s Alec Lewis pointed to Hockenson as one contract that could be reworked this offseason. His future with the Vikings is in some question entering 2026.

Hockenson sat out in Week 17 against the Lions and he appears likely to sit out this week as well. Hockenson’s backup, TE Josh Oliver, should not be in re-draft lineups against the Packers even if Hockenson cannot play this week.

Hockenson missed Week 17 with the shoulder issue and looks likely to sit out of Minnesota’s season finale. Josh Oliver and Ben Sims each caught exactly one pass in his absence last week. There isn’t a fantasy tight end of note on the team if Hockenson is out for Week 18.

Hockenson got banged up versus the Giants last week and was unable to practice once before being ruled out for Week 17. With one week left to go, it’s possible his season is over. Max Brosmer is under center for the Vikings this week. We don’t expect him to make any of the Vikings’ backup tight ends relevant for fantasy purposes tomorrow.

You don’t need to wait for the rule out on Wednesday — with Max Brosmer under center, it’s a run-don’t-walk to the waiver wire to replace Hockenson in your Week 17 lineup. If you somehow made it to the championship with Hockenson in your lineup, we’re impressed.

Hockenson popped up for a usable fantasy outing last week, catching four balls for 66 yards. He came crashing back to Earth today with his worst outing of the year. Hockenson has been held under 20 yards in five of his past eight games. He can be left out of starting fantasy lineups heading into Week 17.

Hockenson’s projected cap hit for 2026 is $21.3 million, an untenable amount for someone who is at best the third option for the Vikings at this point in his career. “The Vikings could also save around $9 million for next season by cutting him,” notes Lewis. It sure sounds like the Vikings, entering the offseason at roughly $36 million over the cap per OverTheCap, may have to make a business decision on Hockenson.