After a slow start to the season, Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson finally started to find some footing with two decent performances in Weeks 3 and 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively.
However, with the second half of Minnesota’s Week 5 matchup against the Cleveland Browns underway, Hockenson is nowhere to be found. Let’s take a look at the Vikings TE’s slow start.
What Happened to Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson?
As the third quarter ends in London, Vikings QB Carson Wentz has targeted Hockenson twice for 14 yards. Akin to his starts in the first two weeks, Minnesota fans hoped to see the Hockenson from the last two weeks.
Even more concerning is that fellow tight end Josh Oliver has been seemingly more involved with the Vikings’ offense. While he has only two targets, he was involved in a trick play, with one of his targets coming from Cam Akers en route to a 32-yard touchdown.
Jordan Mason and T.J. Hockenson owners look away 🫣
This Cam Akers TD pass to Josh Oliver evens things up in London.
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/4J9dI25p7X— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) October 5, 2025
The Vikings were hoping for more from Hockenson after trading for him in 2022. Minnesota negotiated a rare mid-season in-division trade with the Detroit Lions, sending a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick to Detroit for a 2023 fourth-round pick and a conditional fourth-round pick in addition to the veteran tight end.
While the trade allowed the Vikings to address a need with Irv Smith Jr. going down with a high ankle sprain at the time, it also allowed them to make Hockenson the featured piece of the tight end room for the future and take a chance on Josh Oliver. The duo has gelled well together with contributions in blocking and receiving.
Finding his way to the end zone in Week 3 is huge after failing to score in 2024, but the slow start to the season is not promising as Hockenson continues to decline. Injuries hampered his 2024 season, but health has not been an issue in 2025, and Hockenson is still not finding space amongst the defense.
One of these tight ends will have to figure something out, as having the added threat from that position is enormous and can take head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense to the next level. This offense is still piecing things together with the inexperience and injuries under center, but they desperately need Hockenson to wake up and provide that veteran presence.
