The Minnesota Vikings are facing scrutiny over the underutilization of tight end T.J. Hockenson as young quarterback J.J. McCarthy struggles to find his rhythm. In a recent game against the Baltimore Ravens, McCarthy”s performance was marked by more incompletions than completions, going 7 of 23, including 22 incompletions. This has raised questions about whether Hockenson remains a key part of the offense.
Despite earning a substantial salary of $16.5 million per year, which ranks fourth among NFL tight ends, Hockenson”s impact has been minimal. In the loss to the Ravens, Hockenson played 60 snaps, which accounted for 91% of the Vikings” offensive plays, but he was only targeted twice, catching both passes for a mere 8 yards. Over the last three games, Hockenson”s statistics have been underwhelming, with only eight targets, six receptions, and 45 total yards.
When he joined the Vikings from Detroit two Novembers ago, Hockenson made an immediate impact, catching nine passes in his first game with the team. Given that he is still in his prime at under 30 years old, it is surprising to see him so underused, especially as McCarthy navigates the challenges of being a young quarterback with only four career starts.
Vikings coach Kevin O”Connell acknowledged the need to integrate Hockenson more into their game plan. “There”s no excuse, we got to get T.J. involved in the game more,” O”Connell stated. “We need those plays that have been a huge part of our offense since we acquired him.” However, O”Connell also pointed out that several factors contributed to Hockenson”s lack of involvement in the game.
During the matchup against the Ravens, McCarthy missed opportunities to target Hockenson due to the fast pace of the game. There were multiple batted passes at the line of scrimmage that could have found Hockenson, and penalties, including eight false starts, disrupted the offensive flow and made it harder for McCarthy to execute plays effectively.
O”Connell explained that the false start penalties often placed the team in difficult down and distance situations, further limiting Hockenson”s opportunities. “The biggest thing is T.J. is a major part of what we do,” he said. “We”re just putting ourselves in a tough spot that gets you out of those downs where T.J. has always been pretty significant for us.” The Vikings” offensive struggles have highlighted the importance of utilizing Hockenson effectively to help stabilize McCarthy”s performance.
As the season progresses, it will be crucial for the Vikings to capitalize on Hockenson”s skills and ensure he is a central figure in their offensive strategy. Doing so not only provides McCarthy with a reliable target but also enhances the overall effectiveness of the Vikings” offense.
