Back to the Minnesota Vikings Newsfeed

Film: How T.J. Hockenson added a new dynamic to Vikings offense so quickly

T.J. Hockenson already had some knowledge about how his new Vikings teammates discussed Kevin O'Connell's playbook before walking into TCO Performance Center for the first time.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, Hockenson's good friend, offseason training partner and former Iowa Hawkeyes teammate, often spoke in certain terms. Hockenson recognized some to quickly pick up enough concepts and calls to play 91% — 60 of 66 snaps — against the Commanders, the highest playing rate of any Vikings tight end all season. Only three NFL tight ends played more for their teams in Week 9.

"This is the fourth offense I've been in," Hockenson said Sunday from the visitor's locker room at FedEx Field.