The Minnesota Vikings introduced new tight end T.J. Hockenson during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon and you can tell he was excited to go to a winning team.
T.J. Hockenson on going from Lions to Vikings: "That’s really what we’re here to do is go somewhere and win some games. That’s kind of the first time I’ve been able to say that."
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) November 2, 2022
This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise for the fourth-year veteran, as the 2022 Vikings have won as many games as the Lions have won in any of his three-plus seasons with the team.
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There were some other interesting nuggets to come out of the press conference, including confirmation that Hockenson will be wearing number 87 for the Vikings. He wore number 88 with the Lions but Alan Page’s number was retired by the team.
Hockenson was also excited to be back in the Midwest, as he grew up in Iowa, calling this the true Midwest.
T.J. Hockenson, an Iowa native, is excited to be joining the #Vikings in part because he'll be closer to his family. His dad grew up a Vikings fan.
"I'm excited to be back in the midwest. They call Michigan the midwest, but this is really the true midwest."
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) November 2, 2022
Head coach Kevin O’Connell is also excited to bring in Hockenson, seeing some real opportunities for Hockenson, including in the red zone.
KOC on Hockenson: “Situationally, I see some real opportunities for him. Third down, red zone, two minute. We feel like he has a lot of upside in our offense.”
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) November 2, 2022
The Vikings weren’t specific about how much Hockenson would play on Sunday, but he should be up to full speed come week 10 against the Buffalo Bills.
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