After trading T.J. Hockenson, who could be the long-term tight end for the Detroit Lions?
Once upon a time, not so long ago, a contract extension for T.J. Hockenson felt like a formality and he felt like a future building block for the Detroit Lions. But with contract talks apparently never really getting going, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings on deadline day this week.
The Lions are now looking for who may be there long-term answer at tight end. They weren’t in a position in their roster build, at least theoretically, to pay Hockenson in line with his increasing market value based on the contracts recently given to David Njoku and Dawson Knox.
On Wednesday, general manager Brad Holmes said he would have considered trading Hockenson even if the Lions were 6-1. The deal with the Vikings made sense, so it was done.
Why would you have traded T.J. Hockenson at 6-1?
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) November 2, 2022
Holmes: "We’ve proven that our offense can score a lot of points. I’m sure he was a part of it, but a deal would have made sense. It was not based on record whatsoever. I think it was a good deal for the future of the team."
The Lions won’t be making any notable additions at tight end for the rest of the season, but players like rookie James Mitchell, Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra have opportunity in front of them from here on out. Jason Cabinda, who is nearing a return from injury, may also see some snaps at tight end when he’s ready to play.
Looking beyond this season, to at least 2023 if not beyond, here some options for the Lions to replace T.J. Hockenson as their top tight end.