Lions Trade TJ Hockenson to Vikings

The Detroit Lions parted ways with one of their key offensive weapons ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Lions are trading tight end TJ Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick.

Hockenson, the eighth overall pick in 2018, played in 47 games during his Lions career. He caught 186 passes for over 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. Hockenson made the Pro Bowl in 2020.

Hockenson’s rookie contract expires at the end of this season but the Lions had picked up a $9.4 million fifth-year team-option that keeps him under contract through 2023.

With an NFL-worst record of 1-6, the Lions are loading up on early-round draft picks with this trade, but they also gave up additional late-round picks to do so.

The Vikings add Hockenson to an offense that already features stars like Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen.

Minnesota is 6-1 this season and is in first place in the NFC North. The Vikings lost starting tight end Irv Smith Jr. to injury during Sunday’s game. He is out indefinitely.