Vikings OC Praises New Tight End, Hints that Hockenson Will Miss Time
Vikings OC Wes Phillips took some time to chat with the Minnesota media on Tuesday.
At one point, Phillips discussed the addition of Robert Tonyan, the recently-signed tight end: “It was kind of one of those workouts where you just watch the guy run and catch, and understands what you’re asking him to do from his experience. And it was kind of a no-brainer, everyone just looked around and said, ‘Yeah, let’s get him.'” But while the Tonyan update is encouraging, the T.J. Hockenson update was the opposite.
Vikings OC Wes Phillips Talks Tonyan and Hockenson
While concluding the thought on Tonyan, Phillips shifts the focus over to Hockenson.
“Obviously, with T.J. being out,” Phillips explains, “I think Robert can kind of fill some of those roles that T.J. did for us.” There’s even a hint that the TE1 could be gone for more than just a game or two: “A lot of production from T.J. that we’re going to miss for a little bit.”
How long is a little bit?
Earlier in the week, Josh Frey relayed the word from The Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling that Hockenson could miss the opening six weeks. And then there were the words from the man himself. The NFL website relayed the tight end’s declaration about lacking a “timeline.”
Recently, the tight end depth in Minnesota has taken a large step forward.
Undrafted free agency involved Minnesota picking up Trey Knox. And then there was the addition of Sammis Reyes, who doesn’t count toward the 90-man roster due to his status as an international player. And then there was the Tonyan signing.
Toss all of that into the mix alongside the depth that was already in house. Minnesota was already working with Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, and Nick Muse.
By the time his season ended in 2023, Hockenson had picked up 95 catches, 960 yards, and 5 touchdowns. Being able to play in the final games would have almost certainly involved the TE1 clearing 100 catches and 1,000 yards.
Tonyan, 30, picked up work with the Bears last year, playing in seventeen games while starting six. He snagged 11 catches, 112 yards, and 0 touchdowns. So, expecting him to be a perfect one-for-one replacement isn’t realistic. Very few tight ends in the NFL are as good as Mr. Hockenson.
Even still, Phillips’ point likely remains that Tonyan can help.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
Final Piece of The Vikings’ OL Puzzle Clicks Into Place
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.