The Minnesota Vikings’ have a lot of weapons on offense, and they just got even better after acquiring T.J. Hockenson from the Detroit Lions in a trade.

The trade:

• Vikings Get:
  • Hockenson
  • 2023 fourth-round pick
  • 2024 conditional fourth-round pick
• Lions Get:
  • 2023 second-round pick
  • 2024 fourth-round pick

First of all, WOW. This is an incredible move by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings. The front office saw this team was 6-1 and had a real shot at making the Super Bowl in a weaker NFC. Not only are the Vikings getting a really good TE, but they also get two picks back. FLEECE.

Hockenson is only 25 years old and one of the better tight ends in the NFL. The former first-round pick was selected high in the draft because of his athleticism and shades of a wide receiver.

Aside from the Matthew Stafford season in 2020, Hockenson has not had a good quarterback. That year, he caught 67 passes for 723 yards and six touchdowns.

Last season he recorded 583 yards and four touchdowns, and this season he’s put up 395 and three TDs. Jared Goff is a fine QB, but Kirk Cousins is without a doubt a better quarterback.

Imagine how lethal this offense will be with Hockenson, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn.

Opposing defenses will struggle with defending these weapons, and they’ll have to decide if they want to double-team someone. If they double JJ, then Hockenson or Thielen will be wide open.

If you look at the 2021 Los Angeles Rams and what they ran offensively, it’s kind of similar to what Kevin O’Connell is trying to do with the Vikings.

• Cooper Kupp -> Jefferson
• Tyler Higbee -> Hockenson
• Van Jefferson -> Thielen
• Robert Woods -> Osborn

Next season, Irv Smith Jr. will be a UFA, and it’s hard to see him back with the team. He’s been injured way too much, and he’s struggled to produce when he has played.

Hockenson is under contract next season for a little over $9 million. Hopefully, the Vikings extend him because he’s still in the middle of his prime.

This Vikings team just got a lot better with the addition of Hockenson, and they’ll have a real shot at making a deep run in the playoffs. The NFC is a weak conference, and Minnesota’s odds just got a lot better.