Vikings Face Huge Decision at Tight End
Following on from my look at the QB and RB position, we have another intriguing position group, as I look at how the Vikings should address the tight end position this offseason. There is one big question to answer.
Defining Offseason Decision at Tight End Looms for Vikings
Towards the end of the 2025 season, Kevin O’Connell made a switch that I think was long overdue. The Vikings’ head coach made a switch to a heavier personnel grouping, which meant more TEs on the field.
It was an attempt to help JJ McCarthy, who was struggling in his first season as Minnesota’s starting quarterback. It worked. Starting with a game in which Max Brosmer played in place of the injured McCarthy, the Vikings won the last five games of the season.
Now, the Vikings offense didn’t suddenly catch fire, far from it, but the team was able to run the ball more effectively, and the offense was able to complement and ride Minnesota’s strong defense to victory. O’Connell’s offense became good enough not to cost his team games. He will want much better than that in 2026, but the foundation that was laid shouldn’t be scrapped.
O’Connell just needs to look at his old mentor, Sean McVay, who changed his offense to be more TE-heavy, despite having an excellent veteran QB — Mathew Stafford became the league’s MVP for the first time in his career in 2026. Whether it’s McCarthy or somebody else starting for the Vikings in 2026, a heavy emphasis on TE and the rushing attack should still be the plan.
The Big Decision
When the Vikings traded a second-round pick to the Detroit Lions for TJ Hockenson, it looked like a good move. A top-tier tight end was the missing piece to a very talented passing offense. Hockenson was a revelation over the second half of the 2022 season and the 2023 season, possibly playing the best football of his career.
Then injury struck: a serious knee injury ended Hockenson’s 2023 season a couple of games early, and he didn’t return until Week 9 of the 2024 season. Since returning from injury, Hockenson hasn’t enjoyed the same success — obviously not helped by the Vikings QB woes last season — and because the Vikings made him one of the highest-paid TEs in the league, his production hasn’t matched the outlay. Hockenson’s cap hit for 2026 is $21.3 million and increases again next year.
Hockenson has to be playing at the highest level to warrant paying that money. Do the Vikings believe he can return to that level? If they do, they can consider restructuring or extending his contract for short-term salary cap relief. If they don’t, then he becomes an obvious cap casualty who should be released.
The TE Outlook Sans Hockenson
The Vikings have Josh Oliver, Ben Yurosek, Gavin Bartholomew, and Bryson Nesbit on the books at TE for next season. Oliver isn’t the dynamic TE that many teams want, but as an excellent blocker and reliable pass catcher, he can lead the TE room as a veteran presence.
Across three seasons in Minnesota, he has 59 catches, with 44 going for either a touchdown (9) or a first down (35). An increased workload should phase him.
Minnesota then has a trio of young TEs waiting in the wings, and it might be a good idea to pick up another one in the draft. I’m not in favor of spending much money at the position this year; only if a good player becomes available on the cheap would I be interested. If the Vikings have other ideas, there are some big-name options to look at, including Kyle Pitts and Isaiah Likely.
Personally, I’d be looking at the draft to find someone to partner with Oliver and the rest of the group. Kenyon Sadiq and Oscar Delp are the two highly rated TEs in this year’s draft, but would probably be first or second-round picks to acquire. Delp on today would be a good pick, but the Vikings have a lot of areas they need to address. If they can plug some of those holes in free agency, then I’d be all in on an Oliver/Delp TE tandem.
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