The Minnesota Vikings must clear over $40 million in cap space before the start of the new league year, putting T.J. Hockenson‘s future into question.
Hockenson is scheduled for a $21.3 million cap hit for next season, and while his decline has come in part with the entire offense’s struggles this past season, Minnesota cannot stomach that cap hit. The Vikings could save $9 million by cutting him before free agency starts or $16 million with a post-June 1 designation.
While parting ways with Hockenson would be a tough decision, those cap funds can be reinvested in the position right away with the signing of pending free agent tight end Isaiah Likely.
Ranked the ninth-best tight end by Pro Football Focus (PFF) entering the 2025 season, just three spots behind Hockenson at No. 6, Likely presents as a more affordable receiving tight end option for Minnesota moving forward.
Ravens’ Isaiah Likely a Top Replacement for Vikings TE TJ Hockenson
GettyBaltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah LIkely.
After the Baltimore Ravens re-signed Mark Andrews midseason, Likely has seemingly been destined to reach free agency.
“This Mark Andrews’ extension indicates that Likely is probably going to be allowed to test the open market and find a new team in free agency. Many had thought he’s the future at the TE position,” NFL insider Ari Meirov posted on X in December.
A 2022 fourth-round pick, Likely has filled in at times for Andrews and remained a staple No. 2 tight end in the Ravens offense. He’s totaled 135 receptions for 1,568 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns in his career.
Spotrac projected Likely to land a four-year, $36.4 million extension worth $9 million annually — the exact cap space created by releasing Hockenson.
Likely addressed his upcoming offseason with the potential that he reaches free agency for the first time in his career.
“I really just leave it to my agent,” Likely said during locker room cleanout on January 5. “I feel like everybody says a vanilla answer like that, but it’s honestly my first time ever not knowing. So, just really just keeping one foot in front of the other. Blessed to be getting out of the season healthy, being able to just put everything I do on tape and really just going from there.”
How Can the Vikings Get Under the Cap?
Hockenson is among a handful of veteran players who are subject to becoming cap casualties ahead of free agency.
Veteran defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen are potential roster cut candidates after middling performances this season. Jalen Redmond should be a priority re-signing before free agency, and cutting Hargrave and Allen would save $11 million and $4.2 million, respectively, to help pay Redmond.
Starting center Ryan Kelly is facing serious health concerns after suffering several concussions this season. His release would save $8.8 million in cap space.
Meanwhile, Aaron Jones is among the hardest names to part ways with this offseason. He is scheduled for a $14.8 million cap hit for the 2026 season after Jordan Mason proved he could take on a bellcow role in the backfield.
Jones could be cut to create $8 million in cap space; however, there is hope that conversations around a restructure could take place.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Vikings Urged to Replace TJ Hockenson With $36 Million Playmaker appeared first on Heavy Sports.