Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) celebrates his touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
It was almost the Miami Dolphins.
That’s the word from Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson, who revealed Miami as his oh-so-close trade destination in 2022. Minnesota landed Hockenson at the trade deadline that season, but evidently not before some wheeling and dealing between the Detroit Lions and Dolphins.
“Well, we heard Miami. That was the biggest thing. So kind of got excited about that, didn’t you? It was, I mean, it’s warm down there, and, you know, I mean, when it, when you talk about Minnesota and their name, kind of started getting, like, we heard, like, Neil heard their name, and I was like, that’d be nice, because it’s my, like, my family goes every game,” Hockenson said on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast this week.
Minnesota received Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick, and a 2024 fourth-round pick in a trade with the Lions in 2022 while giving up a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-rounder. Ironically, Hockenson’s old team ended his season with a dirty hit seven months ago.
“My parents go to every game. They haven’t missed a game since I’ve been, you know, 13, and so, like, they were driving to Detroit all the time, and that’s eight hours there, not including Chicago traffic, you know, and then eight hours back,” Hockenson added about his gratitude of ending up in the Twin Cities. “And so it’s only four hours from my hometown, Minnesota is — and so it’s incredible for all of them, and for me to be able to be around family. My mom’s from Minnesota, so I have a bunch of extended family there.”
Hockenson was on the brink of becoming the Vikings’ first 1,000+ yard tight end in 42 years before an ACL tear last December. Joe Senser achieved the mark in 1981, and Hockenson fell 40 yards short. When wide receiver Justin Jefferson was injured for seven games in October and November, Hockenson was often the sealant that kept the offense together.
During the two-hour-plus interview, Hockenson also updated his injury recovery. “It’s been great, yeah. We’re running now, doing a lot of change-of-direction stuff,” he noted.
Hockenson said he felt like a “normal person” again and added: “At the point I’m at now, I feel really comfortable about being able to come back and be the player I was and even be better. That’s huge for me.”
Instead of Hockenson, Miami ended up swinging a deal for running back Jeff Wilson, trading a 5th-Round pick to the San Francisco 49ers at the 2022 trade deadline.
The Vikings defeated those very Dolphins about two weeks prior at Hard Rock Stadium.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.