The Minnesota Vikings are riding high with a 6-1 record, which is tied for the second-best mark in the NFL, but it didn’t stop them from making a last-minute move on the trade market.
They traded a future second-round and third-round pick to the Detroit Lions for TJ Hockenson, a 25-year-old tight end.
Hockenson said he wasn’t totally surprised that he was sent to the Vikings.
TJ Hockenson was asked in Minnesota if he expected a trade.
“I kinda knew. I had a little idea. I didn’t expect here, but obviously super excited to be here,” the former Lions tight end said. pic.twitter.com/xnlN9eD5xw
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 2, 2022
Hockenson Could Be One Of The Missing Pieces
Minnesota has a solid passing attack, which is headed by Justin Jefferson, one of the best yet most underrated wide receivers in the NFL.
He has 752 yards through the first seven games of the season, which is third in the league, and he amassed 1,616 yards last season.
But the Vikings may be a little too dependent on him, and that is not a good recipe for success, especially come playoff time.
With Hockenson on board, they will have another option to go to certain situations, and that could, in turn, help make things a little easier on both Jefferson and Adam Thielen.
The tight end had a 179-yard game in Week 4, which puts him in some very select company that includes one of his new teammates.
Only players w/ 175+ rec yards in a game this season:
TJ HOCKENSON
Tyreek Hill
justin jefferson pic.twitter.com/d5SIMLPMtH— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 1, 2022
It seems fitting that he is now a member of the Vikings, as his father grew up a fan of the franchise, and he also bears an uncanny resemblance to the man depicted in the team’s logo.
TJ Hockenson now takes over the honor of “NFL player to most look like his team’s logo” in NFL history.
— Brandon Warne (@Brandon_Warne) November 1, 2022
The trade has come just in time, as the Vikings will take on the Buffalo Bills, who are considered by many to be the best all-around team in football, next Sunday in Week 10.
A victory in Upstate New York would be a huge statement to the rest of the football world.
