A key member of the Vikings offense will stand across from a mentor on Sept. 8 when they open the season — and new Bears coach Ben Johnson’s tenure — at Soldier Field on “Monday Night Football.”
Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson and Johnson spent three seasons together with the Lions, starting in 2019. Hockenson, a first-round pick that year, and Johnson, an entry-level coach who would later become the tight ends coach and guru coordinator, immediately formed a bond that lasts to this day. Hockenson reached out to congratulate Johnson when he was hired by Chicago in January.
“I love Ben,” Hockenson told the Minnesota Star Tribune. “He helped me a ton as a young player in this league. I remember him being a quality control guy my first year and we’d meet every day during special teams. He’d explain offenses and defenses to me. He’s a guy that made a huge impact and someone that will always be super meaningful in my life.”
Hockenson’s influences — Johnson, former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell among them — have shaped the way he has approached this season with 22-year-old quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy will be the 12th quarterback to throw Hockenson an NFL pass, meaning the 6-foot-5 security blanket has plenty of experience adapting and succeeding with new arms.
What a difference a year can make. Standing with two healthy knees and the foundation of his training once again, Hockenson said he is primed to resume his run as one of the NFL’s best tight ends.
“I’m one of the top route-running tight ends in the league,” Hockenson said. “I pride myself on creating separation and you look at it and that’s what I do on Sundays. … There’s been times throughout my career I’ve had challenges and I’ve always been able to bounce back and be a better player than what I was.”