Former Lions TE T.J. Hockenson talks about Detroit’s recent success

It’s been almost two full years since the Detroit Lions traded tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings, and it’s probably fair to say that it worked out for both sides. The Lions got a 2023 second-round pick and 2024 third-round pick, while the Vikings got Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick. Detroit now has Sam LaPorta breaking records at the tight end position, while Hockenson is coming off his most productive year despite missing the final two games due to an injury.

This week, Hockenson made another appearance on the “Bussin’ with the Boys” podcast and was asked to reflect on the trade. He admitted, it didn’t come as a complete surprise at the time.

“There were a lot of articles coming out (about me potentially getting traded), because we were, I think, 1-6 at the time,” Hockenson said.

In the final year of his rookie contract, Hockenson knew the Lions were at a fork in the road regarding his future, so when the trade happened it wasn’t a shock (this matches what he said at the time, too).

At the time, Hockenson caught some flak in Detroit for this comment that he made, regarding an expectation to win and reach the playoffs:

“That’s really what we’re here to do is go somewhere and win some games. That’s kinda the first time I’ve been able to say that. So I’m pretty excited. I really am.”

Some took this as a shot against Detroit, and maybe it is. But it was also the truth, as the Lions were just 12-42-2 when Hockenson was there. Of course, the cruel irony for Hockenson is that since that trade, the Vikings are 14-13 (0-1 in the playoffs), while the Lions are 20-7 (2-1 in playoffs).

Still, Hockenson doesn’t seem to be holding too much resentment for Detroit’s sudden success.

“They’re still in the division, so you want to beat them and you want to win the division, but not (a) crazy (amount of bitterness),” Hockenson said. “You see it and you’re like, ‘What’s going on?’ You talk to people (in Detroit) and they’re just like, ‘It started clicking. It was nothing that you had (to do with it).’”

He later added:

“I was really happy for the boys that I used to play with. I was in it for a long time. It’s not fun to go out and play and not really have any success. For them to have some success, I was happy for the guys I played with.”

That said, he did admit he still gets a little more juiced for games against his former team.

Part of the reason Hockenson appears to be at peace with what happened is because he is genuinely happy to land with the Vikings organization.

“I was excited. It was a fresh start for me,” Hockenson said. “I knew I was going to play for coach (Kevin) O’Connell, who was a young coach. It was his first year, and he was 6-1 or something like that at the time. A really up-and-coming coach, and to be able to get around him, it was the best thing for me.

“God put me in the right place. I love Minnesota. I love the team, and it really starts at the top with K.O. and ownership. Those guys are incredible and it trickles down.”

You can watch the entirety of Hockenson’s answer to the question below: