The Detroit Lions have made several savvy moves through the years, and recently, one of the bigger positive decisions they made was trading away tight end T.J. Hockenson.
While the Lions dealt Hockenson within the division to the Minnesota Vikings, they were able to recoup a pair of draft picks. In hindsight, that move looks like a clear win, because Hockenson has not been as impressive since changing zip codes.
Entering this season, Hockenson has made a dubious new list that proves what a catastrophe his move out of Detroit has been. After being dealt away, Hockenson quickly signed a new contract, resetting the market at tight end. That move by Minnesota doesn't look great in hindsight.
Bleacher Report writer Brad Gagnon ranked the 10 worst contracts in the league entering 2026. Hockenson, who's had his share of injury frustration and production woes, checked in at No. 9 on the list.
"The nearly 29-year-old has scored just three touchdowns since the start of 2024 and has fallen short of 500 yards in each of the last two seasons. His body might not have a lot left."
"Hockenson is the third-highest-paid tight end in the sport and carries the top salary-cap hit at the position in 2026, despite the fact the team reworked his deal in March. There's also no more wiggle room as he's entering a contract year. "
If Hockenson doesn't produce next year, it's possible the Vikings will cut bait on him, and that will be in large part due to his bloated contract and his advancing age. Given the stats, it's clear Minnesota may have rushed to judgement in extending Hockenson when they did. Credit the Lions for making the move when they did.
Lions must now tread carefully with Sam LaPorta contract decision
Ironically, the Lions are in an eerily similar position now with a player they drafted in LaPorta. After Detroit dumped Hockenson in 2022, LaPorta came along in the spring of 2023 after the draft and quickly made fans forget about their former tight end.
Now, LaPorta is angling for his own contract extension. The Lions have not been shy to do deals with plenty of their big-name talent, but the situation could be different with LaPorta. Detroit has managed to win without him in recent seasons when he has been hurt, and has managed to get by with Brock Wright and a hodge podge of veterans behind him.
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Instead of extending LaPorta, the Lions may decide to eventually let him walk like they did with Hockenson at the right time. Tight end doesn't seem to be a premium position in the NFL anymore, and the Lions have proven they can replace one elite tight end with another in the draft and quickly profit.
There's been a question about which one of Detroit's young stars could be the odd man out in terms of an extension. In this case, it could certainly be LaPorta, considering the Lions may not value him as much as a premium defender or another offensive skill position.
The decision Brad Holmes makes with LaPorta will speak volumes about his approach. Considering he was first to see the writing on the wall with Hockenson and pass off his situation successfully to another team, fans should trust him to deal with this particular case.
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