Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson.

Joe would like to find out what the heck happened to one of the better young tight ends in the game. Or at least, he was.

Now, Minnesota tight end T.J. Hockenson is looking like a sure-fire cap casualty.

When Hockenson played for the Lions, he was a Pro Bowl tight end. That continued when Hockenson was traded to the Vikings in 2022.

Shoot, as recently as 2023, Hockenson, who will turn 29 this summer, had 960 yards receiving, making the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career.

But the past two seasons, after quarterback Kirk Cousins left, Hockenson has been a run-of-the-mill tight end. He has slipped with his production enough that Matt Okada of NFL.com thinks Hockenson will be a free agent cap casualty next month.

Hockenson totaled 155 catches, 1,479 yards and eight touchdowns over 25 games with the Vikings in 2022 and 2023, playing at or near the level that earned him two Pro Bowl selections in Detroit. Unfortunately, over his 25 games since the start of 2024, the veteran tight end has totaled just 92 catches for 893 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers all fall short of his 2023 production alone. So, while the four-year, $66 million extension he signed just before 2023 initially seemed like a score for the front office, it’s since become a burden. Hockenson carries a $21.3 million cap hit in 2026 — highest at his position across the league — and Minnesota can save $8.9 million by releasing him before June 1 or $16 million if it makes him a post-June 1 cut. Both options are viable, but keeping him on the payroll with an already troubling cap situation and declining production is not ideal.

Joe would sure like to know what happened with Hockenson because if he is available, Joe is certainly interested in the Bucs kicking the tires on him.

Joe just isn’t overly impressed with the Bucs tight ends. Joe waffles on Cade Otton. He is equal parts frustrating and seemingly misused. Joe thinks Payne Durham is little more than a blocking tight end. Same with Ko Kieft who is a crushing blocker and solid special teams guy.

Devin Culp, who Joe likes a lot, is just the opposite. He can stretch the field and that’s about it.

Did Hockenson struggle to get production last year because J.J. McCarthy was behind center for the Vikings? Is Hockenson already over the hill?

If the Bucs think Hockenson has something left in the tank, Joe would not be opposed to the Bucs giving him a look-see.