“He always comes off the field with four, five, six things he wants to be better at,” Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson said about QB J.J. McCarthy. “And you respect that.” In an interview with The Minnesota Star Tribune, Hockenson discussed what it’s like playing with McCarthy, how he’s continuing to get back to form following his 2023 injuries, and more.
“I have plenty of goals, and they’re to the standard I want them to be,” Hockenson said on his mindset for the 2025 season. “I obviously want to be the top tight end in this league. I want to be the best player in this league, but I’m also focused on being the best teammate I can be.”
McCarthy was a first-round pick of the Vikings in 2024, but he tore his meniscus in the preseason and missed the entire season. Hockenson’s been working out with him in Tennessee this offseason, building a connection that will hopefully persist throughout Minnesota’s season.
“J.J. is a lot like [Matthew Stafford] and a little like Kirk [Cousins],” Hockenson said, referring to two quarterbacks he’s played with in the past. “Just depends on the routes and what we’re doing. ‘I want you here at this time, but on the same hand I want you to get open. I’m going to trust you.’”
T.J. Hockenson on How He’s Feeling in His Second Season Post-Injury
Christian Petersen/GettyGLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 13: T.J. Hockenson #87 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC Wild Card Playoff at State Farm Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“I was a step slower than I wanted to be, and I knew that after a couple games,” Hockenson said of his post-injury recovery. “Toward the end of the year, I got more comfortable, and I got back to where I wanted to be.”
After tearing his ACL late in the 2023 season, Hockenson didn’t return to the field for the Vikings until November. This season, he’s ready to go from the jump and feeling more like himself.
“That has really showed up here on the practice field, and is going to translate to Sundays,” Hockenson said of the rehab work he’s done. This offseason, he’s focused on speed and movement training to get back to his old form. The Vikings hope that translates to the field right away.
T.J. Hockenson on Route Running as a Tight End
“I’m one of the top route-running tight ends in the league,” Hockenson said. “I pride myself on creating separation and you look at it and that’s what I do on Sundays. … There’s been times throughout my career I’ve had challenges and I’ve always been able to bounce back and be a better player than what I was.”
Hockenson cited current Bears head coach and former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for coaching him up in this manner. “Ben talked about, ‘Hey, I’m going to give you a canvas, and you have the brush,’” Hockenson said. “‘You paint a picture within the rules I’m giving you.’”
It’s a little different in Minnesota, where Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell has specific things he wants his receivers and tight ends to do. “We want you here at a spot within a certain timing, but on the other hand, J.J. is a playmaker. O’Connell wants us to get open.” Hockenson is confident that his natural route-running abilities are a good match with McCarthy’s playmaking, something that will be put to the test in the coming weeks.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson Sends Strong Message on J.J. McCarthy appeared first on Heavy Sports.