What T.J. Hockenson brings to the Minnesota Vikings offense
2 years, 4 months ago

What T.J. Hockenson brings to the Minnesota Vikings offense

New York Times  

Several years ago, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was asked about his background, how a man who had traded commodities on Wall Street had transitioned into being an impactful voice in an NFL front office. Late in Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. collided with running back Dalvin Cook. “I think a lot of people around the league look at the tight end position as catching touchdowns and the flashy plays people see,” O’Connell said. Player Passes in 11 personnel Runs in 11 personnel Irv Smith Jr. 151 40 Johnny Mundt 67 68 T.J. Hockenson 172 70 Early in the season, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was asked about the usage of the Vikings’ two tight ends. This year alone, he’s fifth among tight ends in receiving yards, first in yards per reception and second in yards after the catch per reception.

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History of this topic

Vikings put Hockenson on PUP list to start camp with star tight end still rehabbing from ACL repair
8 months ago

Vikings put Hockenson on PUP list to start camp with star tight end still rehabbing from ACL repair

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson was placed on the physically unable to perform list as expected on Monday for the beginning of training camp, his recovery from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee not yet complete. “He’s well ahead of schedule from a standpoint of some of the benchmarks throughout his rehab,” coach …

In J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, Vikings add potential cornerstone contributors
11 months ago

In J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, Vikings add potential cornerstone contributors

New York Times  

EAGAN, Minn. — The waiting is the hardest part. Once the selection hit the league database, one AFC executive said, “Good player at good value.” An NFC staffer texted, “Best player on the board at that time.” “Listen, Dallas Turner is a guy who, quite frankly, we didn’t expect to be there in that range,” coach Kevin O’Connell said Thursday …

Kirk Cousins’ departure shifts Vikings’ team-building plan into new phase
1 year ago

Kirk Cousins’ departure shifts Vikings’ team-building plan into new phase

New York Times  

Last spring, the NFC coaches filled a ballroom inside the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. “If you are building a roster around one of those quarterbacks,” O’Connell said, “a quarterback who is resetting the market, as we’ve seen some of these guys do coming out of their rookie first four years, you’re probably in a good position.” O’Connell did not invoke the …

What’s the Vikings’ plan? 5 thoughts ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine
1 year, 1 month ago

What’s the Vikings’ plan? 5 thoughts ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine

New York Times  

The Athletic has live coverage of the NFL combine. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O’Connell are attending the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Adofo-Mensah, O’Connell and Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, are likely to converse this week before the crucial March 12 void on the 35-year-old quarterback’s contract. A couple of months later, in Arizona at the NFL league …

Vikings’ offseason decisions will show deftness of GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s leadership
1 year, 2 months ago

Vikings’ offseason decisions will show deftness of GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s leadership

New York Times  

EAGAN, Minn. — It was the first question Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was ever asked publicly as the general manager of the Minnesota Vikings. “I can’t run from that in any kind of way.” GO DEEPER Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's draft results under microscope as Vikings approach pivotal offseason A challenge we're ready to embrace. “Right now, in the competitive rebuild, we want to …

Vikings’ Hockenson, Wonnum out for season with injuries suffered vs. Lions; Addison day to day
1 year, 3 months ago

Vikings’ Hockenson, Wonnum out for season with injuries suffered vs. Lions; Addison day to day

New York Times  

The Minnesota Vikings were dealt a series of injury blows in Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions. O’Connell was also noncommittal Tuesday about the team’s plans at quarterback against the Green Bay Packers this week, saying Minnesota is considering all three options — Nick Mullens, Josh Dobbs and Jaren Hall — to start Sunday night. The Vikings’ chances of making …

Why T.J. Hockenson’s extension matters for Justin Jefferson’s Vikings future
1 year, 6 months ago

Why T.J. Hockenson’s extension matters for Justin Jefferson’s Vikings future

New York Times  

EAGAN, Minn. — Last November, the day after the Minnesota Vikings traded for T.J. Hockenson, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said something interesting. More relevant to Adofo-Mensah’s point, though, Hockenson’s arrival allowed the Vikings offense to further stretch the field. Understanding why requires a review of last season, an assessment of how Hockenson changed the complexion of the Vikings offense and …

Vikings agree to terms with Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson on contract extension
1 year, 6 months ago

Vikings agree to terms with Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson on contract extension

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings made a bold midseason move last year to trade for T.J. Hockenson. “I’m excited to actually play football and go out there and have to not worry about anything else and move forward from everything and go win some games,” Hockenson said after practice. “I don’t think there was ever any sense of quid …

Vikings, TE T.J. Hockenson far apart on contract extension: Sources
1 year, 7 months ago

Vikings, TE T.J. Hockenson far apart on contract extension: Sources

New York Times  

The Athletic has live coverage of Eagles vs. Vikings on Thursday Night Football. The Minnesota Vikings and tight end T.J. Hockenson are far apart on a contract extension, league sources told The Athletic on Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know: Hockenson wants to reset the market with a historic contract extension for tight ends. — Lewis GO DEEPER Vikings …

Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on the futures of Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson
2 years, 1 month ago

Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on the futures of Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson

New York Times  

INDIANAPOLIS — You could quickly feel his energy, his urgency. “I don’t even remember the flight from Minnesota to Indiana last year,” Adofo-Mensah said, laughing. “I say that to say last year was such a whirlwind.” A year ago, Adofo-Mensah likened the Vikings’ circumstances to a complex puzzle. That’s also why, as Adofo-Mensah said, the Vikings “always have to pay …

Vikings’ Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Kevin O’Connell chart path forward into offseason — together
2 years, 2 months ago

Vikings’ Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Kevin O’Connell chart path forward into offseason — together

New York Times  

EAGAN, Minn. — Exiting the stadium Sunday night, coming to terms with the fact that the Minnesota Vikings’ season was over, first-year general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah got stuck behind a group of fans. “I can’t lie,” he said Wednesday, seated alongside coach Kevin O’Connell for Minnesota’s end-of-season news conference. O’Connell offered the idea of building-wide accountability to make sure the …

Vikings acquire tight end TJ Hockenson in trade with Lions
2 years, 4 months ago

Vikings acquire tight end TJ Hockenson in trade with Lions

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson from the division rival Detroit Lions a few hours before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, giving the NFC North leader another skill-position standout for a high-caliber offense. The deal, which was pending completion of Hockenson passing a physical exam, came two days after a serious ankle injury for primary …

Vikings TE Smith likely done for season after knee surgery
3 years, 6 months ago

Vikings TE Smith likely done for season after knee surgery

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings are bracing for the season-long absence of on-the-rise tight end Irv Smith Jr., after knee surgery Wednesday for a torn meniscus. I would expect whenever he’s back the same great player that he was.” The Vikings acquired tight end Chris Herndon in a trade Tuesday with the New York Jets to help reinforce the …

Vikings’ Smith aims high after time spent with NFL’s top TEs
3 years, 7 months ago

Vikings’ Smith aims high after time spent with NFL’s top TEs

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — Irv Smith Jr. has become the top tight end for the Minnesota Vikings, bringing his enviable blend of speed and strength to what promises to be a more prominent role in his third season. The informal, grassroots event was dubbed “ Tight End University ” by organizers Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Greg Olsen, two of the …

Vikings position-group breakdowns: A new offense for a thin tight end group
6 years, 7 months ago

Vikings position-group breakdowns: A new offense for a thin tight end group

New York Times  

If there was ever a year for tight ends to be the focal point of the Vikings offense, this would be it. Between the two of them, they’ve had four seasons in the last three years where the leading receiver on their team was a tight end, and another year where one ranked second. Though the Vikings invested in Rudolph …

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