Overview
- Hockenson agreed to a reworked deal that reduces his 2026 cap charge by about $5 million from a previously scheduled $21.3 million, the highest among NFL tight ends.
- The move affirms Hockenson will remain on the roster for 2026, easing concerns he could be a cap casualty.
- The cap change is part of a wider effort that includes restructures for Justin Jefferson, Christian Darrisaw and Byron Murphy and planned cuts or trades for Aaron Jones, Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, with Jonathan Greenard also mentioned as a trade option.
- Following these steps, multiple reports project the Vikings with roughly $30 million in space entering Monday’s negotiating window.
- Tom Pelissero reports the rework deleted the final year of Hockenson’s contract, which would set him up to reach free agency next spring, and he and other reporters have linked Minnesota as a leading suitor for QB Kyler Murray without any agreement reported.