The Minnesota Vikings are in an interesting spot as the roster has young talent on it worth molding, but also a steady group of veterans that will make them semi-competitive heading into the 2024 NFL season.
Minnesota’s offense should look vastly different as either Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy will be manning the quarterback position after Kirk Cousins left in free agency.
Meanwhile, the team still has to figure out how much to pay Justin Jefferson, who should break the current record for a wide receiver contract.
Assuming a deal gets done, the Vikings should be able to hang with teams next season, though they’ll have to start the year off without star tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Hockenson tore his ACL and MCL in a Week 16 loss to the Detroit Lions and has been spending the offseason rehabbing from the devastating injuries.
Although Hockenson is expected to suit up at some point this year, his recovery timeline could stretch past the midway point of the regular season, via Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune (via The Purple Persuasion).
“So T.J. is probably not going to be ready by the season opener. He was asked on NFL Network, are you going to be ready for the London game? And he dodged that question. This might be something where, Darnold or J.J. or whoever’s a QB is not going to have T.J. for the first half of the season potentially, if you give that 9 months,” Krammer reported.
Although it would be tough not to have Hockenson for half the year, his long-term health is the priority.
He should take however long he needs to rehab before being cleared to play in a game again.
