The Lions are sitting with the worst record in the NFL at 1-6, leading to speculation that the front office could shop their veterans prior to the trade deadline. T.J. Hockenson would be one of Detroit’s more valuable trade pieces, and there have been plenty of pundits who have hinted that the tight end could be on the move before Tuesday. However, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes that the Lions have not fielded any calls on Hockenson as of Friday.
Despite the Lions’ assertion that they’re not shopping Hockenson, that hasn’t stopped the player from joking about the situation.
“It’s just like, ‘Hey’d you hear I’m getting traded?'” Hockenson told Birkett of the trade rumors. “It’s more me laughing about it than anything. I mean, if that — like I said, I love everybody in this locker room, I love being here in Detroit. I mean, but more importantly and most importantly I love playing football and so I’m going to have the opportunity to do that and that’s really what my whole role in this entire league is to do is to play football. So as long as I have that opportunity I’m good.”
Per Birkett, Hockenson said he hasn’t talked to coach Dan Campbell or general manager Brad Holmes about the rumors, and he expects to stay in Detroit through the trade deadline. On the flip side, the tight end also understands that the NFL is a business and he’s one of the more appealing trade targets on his squad.
“Listen, I’m not stupid, I know what I can bring to another team and I know here that they could, if they want something, if they want to do things for the future then I’m not stupid in that sense,” Hockenson said. “It is a business and whatever they have to do upstairs they’re going to do. And that doesn’t — there’s no hard feelings about it. There’s no, ‘Hey, I don’t like him personally’ or anything about that. That’s just how it is. So I’m not dumb or naïve in that fact.”
The 25-year-old was on pace to set career-highs in 2021 before tearing the UCL in his thumb in December. In six games this year, he’s hauled in 23 receptions for 315 yards and three scores, although a lot of that production came in a Week 4 contest that saw him finish with eight receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Hockenson has a year-plus remaining on his contract, with a bit more than $500K still due in 2022 and $9.39MM due in 2023.
I would LOVE Howie Roseman pull off a shocker of a deal.He would backup Dallas Goedert. could you imagine a devonta smith, aj brown, Dallas Goedert, and tj hockenson all split wide with Jalen hurts lined up in the shotgun, with Miles Sanders lined up next to him?!!!!?! Opposing defensive coordinators wouldn’t be able to sleep the few days before the the game!
Seems like an odd fit. How much are you willing to give up for a second tight end?
Look good as a chief behind Kelce he grew up a chiefs fan
For a team that is still building, you would think that Hockenson would be one of their foundational pieces. Detroit obviously has a ways to go, but they’re still on their bridge quarterback. They’ve been building a little every year, though their record does not show it. Hockrnson is still relatively young and would be a good piece for a new QB. If the compensation is good, the Lions may be inclined to move on, but you’d have to consider the replacement that you’d acquire in Hockenson’s stead. Whatever you’d acquire would have to be enough to get that replacement plus a little extra to make it worth it and not just a sideways trade. That player would have to be at least as good.
The Lions aren’t really in a position to sell and start over because they still are in a position to add. Alternatively, if Detroit uses that compensation to solidify its secondary, that could be an area of need that result in a positive net gain. They never got to where they were going in the first place. This is one of those trades where the compensation really needs to be worth it to pull the trigger, and not one where the team just needs to get value for a guy.
For whatever reason TJ doesn’t seem to be a great fit in the Lions offense… he’s not a very good blocker and seems to be dinged up a lot… as a longtime Lions fan I’m ok moving him for a reasonable return… he’s good but not great IMO
If the Vikings could get TJ he would be a perfect fit.
I think would cost a lot for in division trade, I would hate seeing him in that nasty Vikings uniform.
There’s a delicious irony to someone wearing a Lions jersey saying “Listen, I’m not stupid”.
Hockenson doesn’t seem to really be used properly in the Detroit offense. Lots of other teams could use him and Detroit is still several years away from competing…
I love you guys trying to get Hockenson as your back-up TE, lol he is a top 7 TE in the league, and young. I don’t think he is moved. I think players like Taylor Decker would be more in play. A LT with skill, but that is just my take, not our 25 year old TE, maybe next year if we cant come to terms on an extension.