Former Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson got exactly what he wanted. Hockenson and his new team, the Minnesota Vikings, agreed to a lucrative new contract that will make Hockenson the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.
Hockenson will earn $68.5 million in his four-year extension, with a record-setting $42.5 million guaranteed.
Compensation update: TJ Hockenson is signing a four-year, $68.5 million contract extension that resets the tight end market, source tells ESPN. The $17.125 million annual average and $42 .5 million guarantee are the highest for a tight end in NFL history. https://t.co/v33TTeeS4D
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2023
The rich new extension caused quite a reaction in Lions land. Most of the social media response from Detroit fans and media reflected joyous glee that it wasn’t the Lions who paid Hockenson, while also being happy for a player who performed well in Detroit.
Just not that well…
Here are some of the best reactions from X (formerly Twitter) on the Vikings paying Hockenson like no other TE has ever been paid before.