The Minnesota Vikings have some tough decisions to make this offseason as the team tries to get cap compliant.
According to Over The Cap, Minnesota heads into the offseason sitting at $38 million over the salary cap, which means cuts and restructures are coming.
One move ESPN's Aaron Schatz predicts the team will make in order to free up some money is cutting tight end T.J. Hockenson.
That move would save the Vikings $9 million if done before June 1, and $16 million if Hockenson is designated a post-June 1 cut, Schatz adds.
Big prediction for the offseason: With little cap space, the Vikings will say goodbye to tight end T.J. Hockenson, who has had injury issues and is coming off two straight years with fewer than 500 receiving yards. He was tied for 33rd among tight ends in ESPN's receiver scores through Week 17. Cutting Hockenson would save the Vikings nearly $9 million in cap space before June 1 and $16 million if designated after June 1.
Hockenson is under contract through 2027 and is set to account for a cap hit of $21.3 million in 2026.
That is simply too much to pay for a tight end who is coming off his worst season since his rookie campaign.
In 2025, Hockenson recorded just 438 receiving yards in 15 games, which was actually fewer that what he had in 10 games in 2024.
Minnesota's quarterback problems no doubt played a part in that, but Hockenson didn't look great, either, and certainly not good enough to warrant what he's making. As a result, Hockenson is expendable.
The Vikings should cut Hockenson and then look for a cheaper option, whether that be through free agency, the draft, or both.
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