Lions send Hockenson to Vikings in trade between division rivals
The Detroit Lions have traded tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings in a rare deal between division rivals, the Vikings announced Tuesday.
Minnesota is sending a 2023 second-rounder and 2024 third-round selection for Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick, and a 2024 conditional fourth-rounder.
The Lions ship off Hockenson after he played three-plus seasons with the team. Detroit selected the 25-year-old eighth overall in 2019. He made 42 starts for the franchise and earned one Pro Bowl berth for his play in 2020 after catching 67 passes for 723 yards and six touchdowns.
The tight end is off to the best start of his career in 2022, with career highs in yards per reception (15.2) and per game (56.4). He's put up 395 receiving yards and three scores across seven starts.
It's the first time the Lions have made an in-division trade involving a player since 1998, according to ESPN. Detroit previously traded with Minnesota to move up to select wide receiver Jameson Williams in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Hockenson boosts a Vikings tight end room that recently lost starter Irv Smith Jr. to a high ankle sprain. Smith is expected to miss 8-10 weeks due to the injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Minnesota will have Hockenson under contract through the 2023 season. He's set to earn a base salary of $9.4 million next year, per Spotrac.
The Vikings sit in first place in the NFC North with a 6-1 record.