The 40 Most Important Vikings of 2026: No. 12 — T.J. Hockenson

With the Minnesota Vikings’ first regular season game now less than three weeks away, the VikesNow countdown of the Top 40 most important players inches toward the Top 10. But first, it’s tight end T.J. Hockenson at No. 12.

Hockenson took a pay cut to remain in Minnesota this offseason and remains the club’s TE1.

The Case for T.J. Hockenson at No. 12

Hockenson’s Role in 2026

This man is one of the few on the Vikings’ roster who needs a true bounceback year. Since his ACL and MCL tear in December 2023, Hockenson has not been the target-magnet TE1 he was in 2022 and most of 2023.

But he’s back as Minnesota’s undisputed TE1, and with Kyler Murray in the house, he should return to an ample pass-catching workload. Never forget: Murray cooked with Trey McBride in Arizona, and entering 2026, McBride might be considered the best tight end in football.

With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings drawing mighty defensive attention, Josh Oliver can focus on blocking. It should free up Hockenson to excel at finding open spots underneath and developing a strong redzone connection with Murray.

The Vikings’ offense needs more explosive plays, especially considering Hockenson averaged only 8.6 yards per catch last year. If the offensive line performs well, Hockenson will likely spend considerably more time running routes rather than assisting with chip blocks against OLBs.

What Success Looks Like

Success for Hockenson is very, very simple: play like the 2022 and 2023 version of himself. That’s all the Vikings need. It should be noted that head coach Kevin O’Connell openly admitted that Hockenson was used more as a pass-blocker in 2025, so his reception decline isn’t entirely his fault.

For a strong 2026 season, he must increase his receptions to over 60 and his yards to over 600 – – or somewhere in that neighborhood. Too, he has to become a reliable target on third downs and in the redzone.

He also needs to reestablish himself as a genuine threat to defenses, moving beyond short checkdowns. Given his pay cut and the fact that it’s a contract year, playing efficiently would help nail down his next contract – – with the Vikings or another team.

What Could Make This Ranking Look Too Low – – or Too High

No. 12 on VikesNow‘s most important players countdown will be too high if Hockenson provides a 2025 sequel: 51 catches, 438 yards, and three touchdowns. Those are pedestrian TE1 numbers, and pedestrian might be too kind.

TE3-TE4 Gavin Bartholomew may be a possible successor, and Hockenson’s contract, again, is up after the 2026 season. If his performance declines permanently after his injury, the Vikings might give younger players more opportunities, which could make the upcoming season his last with the team.

On the contrary, No. 12 on this list could seem quite conservative if he returns to his pre-injury form from 2023. With a healthier offensive line and Murray’s tendency to utilize tight ends, Hockenson has one last shot to prolong his stay in the Twin Cities.

Next in the Countdown

The countdown is one spot away from the Top 10. Take a look at the pecking order from 40 to 12:

Second-year left guard Donovan Jackson gets the call on Tuesday. Jackson put together a sturdy rookie campaign. The impending season will show whether he’s the type of guy with Pro Bowl upside or a “regular” starting guard.

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VikesNow Verdict: Hockenson no longer has to be a 95-catch masterclass, but Minnesota still needs him to be a top-tier TE1. If Murray unlocks his route-running again and the offensive line frees him from blocking duty, a contract-year rebound could make No. 12 look too bland.
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About The Author

Dustin Baker

Dustin Baker is the co-founder and editor of VikesNow, a novelist, a writer at CBS Sports, and a political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders, is out now, along with his debut thriller, The Motor Route. He hosts VikesNow on YouTube and has followed the Minnesota Vikings intently since 1996. Guilty pleasures include peanut butter ice cream, The Sopranos, Basset Hounds, and The Doors.

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