Yesterday was a busy news day for the Minnesota Vikings. The day started with a press conference with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell. They opened with the huge news that tight end T.J. Hockenson had agreed to a contract extension.
The Vikings entered training camp with three contract situations. Due to a restructure last year, outside linebacker Danielle Hunter was scheduled to play on a deal that would pay only him about $5 million. T.J. Hockenson was on the fifth-year option that the Detroit Lions had placed on him. Receiver Justin Jefferson was under contract for the next two years but he had simply outplayed that contract. All three were signed for this year. All three were deserving of contract re-work or extensions. Hunter and Hockenson dealt with their contract issues with differing forms of the “hold-in.” Hunter was in camp but doing very little. Hockenson was in camp but “dealing” with a couple peculiar ailments. Perhaps because he knew that he was going to get a gigantic, league-pacing contract at some point in the next year, Jefferson was doing everything in camp. He was doing everything necessary to be better this year than his previous three outstanding seasons. At least for this year, Hunter was made happy with another re-worked deal. Hopefully, he and the Vikings can can come to an agreement on an extension in March. For now, Hunter and team are happy. Hockenson got his new deal yesterday.
T.J. Hockenson is now the league’s highest-paid tight end.
The surface details:
4 years
$68.5 million
$42.5 million in guarantees
The $17.125 average annual value and $42.5 in guarantees are both tops in the league for a tight end. Including this year’s fifth-year option, Hockenson is now under contract with the Vikings through the 2027 season.
The deal increased the Vikings salary cap space by over $4 million. Perhaps that can help make that giant deal for Jefferson possible.
The Vikings have dealt with the contract situations of Hunter and Hockenson. Jefferson is next. Even with Hunter getting about $20 million this year and Hockenson averaging over $17 million per year, the Jefferson deal is the big one.
After the huge Hockenson news, O’Connell announced the team’s captains as voted on by the players.
Kirk Cousins
Justin Jefferson
Brian O’Neill
Danielle Hunter
Jordan Hicks
Harrison Smith
C.J. Ham
Josh Metellus
The only surprise might be the number. Eight captains feel like a lot but the eight captains feel right.
Yesterday was two days removed from roster cutdown day. There were no new tweaks to the 53-man roster. The only roster news was the report that a familiar player was joining the practice squad. Nick Vigil was the team’s third linebacker and started 12 games in 2021. He played for the Arizona Cardinals last year. He’ll provide linebacker depth this year on the practice squad.
Speaking of the practice squad. For what it’s worth, I’m glad that the league is keeping the practice squad at 16 players. It was boosted during the pandemic to help teams deal with possible COVID issues. I’m also glad that the league has removed the restrictions for veteran players. The bulk of the squad will always be for young players that simply need more time. The increased squad size allows for teams to keep some veteran depth. Right now, Joejuan Williams might be the most important player on the Vikings practice squad. There are currently five corners on the active roster. Until he shows otherwise, undrafted rookie NaJee Thompson is on the roster only for special teams. That leaves four legitimate corners. For as long as he’s on the practice squad, I wouldn’t be surprised if Williams is occasionally a game day activation.
Hopefully, there’s Justin Jefferson contract news soon.
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