Kevin O’Connell Pulls Back Curtain on Vikings Factoid
Some Minnesota Vikings have questioned why T.J. Hockenson hasn’t taken the opposition by storm as of late with his typical lofty production. Thanks to head coach Kevin O’Connell, there’s an answer.
Regarding T.J. Hockenson’s role with the Vikings, head coach Kevin O’Connell provided a little clarity this week — that explains a lot.
O’Connell pulled back the curtain this week, providing an explanation on Hockenson’s role at the moment, and well, it makes sense.
There’s a TE Answer from Kevin O’Connell
It’s all by design, says the skipper.
Kevin O’Connell Has Asked T.J. Hockenson to Temporarily Redefine His Role
Hockenson has not bombarded the NFL with his usual pass-catching ways, and unsolicited, O’Connell went out of his way to explain the situation.
“We’re asking a lot of him right now that doesn’t necessarily coincide with him being one of the best route-running tight ends in the NFL,” O’Connell told reporters this week.
“There’s some sacrifice going on, all across our football team, to do whatever is required to win one game. And that mentality can be a powerful thing as we inevitably start to get some guys back.”
And there you have it: a reasonable rationale for Hockenson’s “slow” start.
The Explanation for Perceived Struggles
Since Hockenson returned from a torn ACL that he suffered in December 2023, he hasn’t quite produced like he did before the injury.
That has caused fans and some Vikings pundits to question whether Hockenson is “worth it,” as the veteran playmaker is the fourth-highest-paid tight end in the NFL. In fact, after a Vikings loss, when everyone is down in the dumps, it’s one of the hottest go-to criticisms: “That T.J. Hockenson contract isn’t looking so hot.”
The same crowd then uses the diminished performance to question whether Hockenson should be on the team at all and if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made a gaffe by trading for him and extending his contract.
Well, O’Connell’s message effectively counters the Hockenson slander. There’s a method to the madness, per the head coach.
Hockenson’s Numbers thru 5 Games
Hockenson has posted 153 receiving yards in 2025, which ranks 19th in the NFL among all tight ends. He also has 19 receptions and 1 touchdown.
If nothing changed at all in the next 13 weeks — things will probably change — Hockenson would be on track for a season with 64 catches, 520 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Pedestrian numbers for a man earning $16.5 million per season.
To be worth the squeeze at $16.5 million annually, Hockenson’s receiving yard total must approach or exceed 1,000 yards. Otherwise, a tight end like Josh Oliver, the current TE2, would do just fine.
A Return to Normalcy?
Thankfully, as Minnesota returns to full health, with J.J. McCarthy presumably getting under center in Week 7 or Week 8, the offense can become normal. O’Connell hinted that the litany of injuries, especially to offensive linemen, has tweaked Hockenson’s role.
As players like Donovan Jackson, Brian O’Neill, and maybe even Ryan Kelly gradually return to the lineup, Hockenson can focus on his job as a pass catcher and not just a “dirty work” guy tasked with compensating for the team’s poor pass protection.
There is a path for the man to regain his Hockensonian form.
Fantasy Football Angle for Hockenson
The Viking Age‘s Brad Berreman recently sized up Hockenson’s season and trajectory from a fantasy standpoint.
He wrote, “Those offensive line issues aren’t going away, with right tackle Brian O’Neill facing a multi-week absence due to a sprained MCL he suffered against the Steelers. But if the Vikings ever have everyone up front healthy, that will be good for Hockenson.”
“Or maybe Josh Oliver sees more work as a second tight end, tasked with staying in to block more often than not. On Hockenson’s slate from Week 9-17, the Detroit Lions (Week 9 and 17), Green Bay Packers (Week 12), Seattle Seahawks (Week 13), and Washington Commanders (Week 14) all enter Week 5 in the bottom-10 of the league against tight ends (Yahoo! scoring).”
For context, Hockenson averaged 64.0 yards per game in 2023. He’s at 30.6 through five games of 2025.
Berreman added, “The Baltimore Ravens (Week 10) are bottom-12 against the position right now, and the Dallas Cowboys (Week 15) are not exactly a tough matchup. Hockenson being a top-five fantasy tight end over the second half of the season is a little aggressive. But it wouldn’t take much for him to be top-10 at the position during the most important time of the season for fantasy managers.”
“If you’re struggling at tight end, it’s worth floating a trade offer to the manager in your league who has the Vikings’ tight end.”
As soon as Minnesota’s starting lineup heals, Hockenson could pop.
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