When the Minnesota Vikings acquired T.J. Hockenson from the divisional rival Detroit Lions at the 2022 trade deadline, he had an instant rapport with Kirk Cousins to the tune of 60 catches over 10 games to finish that season.

The 2023 season, despite Cousins going down with an Achilles’ tear eight games in, was similarly productive for the veteran tight end. But a torn ACL late that season has led to a real downturn in production, and his usage as a blocker to help an injury-depleted offensive line particularly hurt him last season.

Any idea of Hockenson being an important, reliable target for J.J. McCarthy last season, or even Carson Wentz after McCarthy was injured, never really had a chance to take hold on his way to just 438 yards and a career-low in yards per catch (8.6).

Any talk of potential cap casualties for the Vikings this offseason usually starts with Hockenson. A post-June 1 cut designation would be the most advantageous move, creating $15.96 million in cap space with a $5.3 million dead money hit.

Some teams might be interested in trading for him, but any teams along that line should probably wait and see if he’s cut so they can get him at a lower cost.

Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson would find role he was meant for if he lands with this NFC team

GMenHQ.com’s Matt Sidney recently mentioned the potential Vikings’ cap casualty as someone the New York Giants should be keeping any eye on, as he believes Hockenson could be an easy fit.

“Pairing Hockenson and (Theo) Johnson together would be diabolical. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder is simultaneously overrated and underrated. In seven seasons, he has 4,440 yards and 26 touchdowns.

That’s just not worth the $16.5 million per season he’s making on his current contract. You’re talking about adding a proven middle-of-the-field weapon who can block, move the chains, and make life easier on a young QB.”

Hockenson was supposed to make life easier for a young quarterback in Minnesota last season, but circumstances beyond his control kept that from happening.

With the Giants, he can be a reliable piece of the equation around Jaxson Dart, with Theo Johnson filling the high-upside role in a top tight end tandem under head coach John Harbaugh.

It’s likely Hockenson has played his last game as a Viking. It’ll be a matter of where he goes then, and the Giants stand as a promising landing spot where he can fill a role he’s tailor-made for.