In the heart of Minnesota’s training camp, a palpable excitement surrounds the Vikings as they gear up for the 2025 season. At the center of it all is rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whose relentless drive for self-improvement has caught the attention of teammates, particularly tight end T.J. Hockenson. “He always comes off the field with four, five, six things he wants to be better at,” Hockenson told The Minnesota Star Tribune in a recent interview. “And you respect that.”
McCarthy, the Vikings’ 2024 first-round draft pick, missed his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus sustained in the preseason. Yet, his absence from the field didn’t dim his hunger to grow. This offseason, he’s been grinding alongside Hockenson in Tennessee, forging a connection that could prove pivotal for Minnesota’s success. Hockenson, a seasoned pro with a reputation for elite route-running, sees echoes of former teammates Matthew Stafford and Kirk Cousins in McCarthy’s approach. “J.J. is a lot like [Stafford] and a little like Kirk,” Hockenson said. “It depends on the routes and what we’re doing. He’ll say, ‘I want you here at this time, but on the same hand, I want you to get open. I’m going to trust you.’”
Hockenson himself is no stranger to overcoming adversity. After a brutal ACL tear late in the 2023 season sidelined him until November of the following year, the tight end admitted he wasn’t quite himself upon return. “I was a step slower than I wanted to be, and I knew that after a couple games,” he reflected. But by the season’s end, Hockenson felt his old spark returning, thanks to a grueling offseason of speed and movement training. “That has really showed up here on the practice field,” he said, brimming with confidence, “and it’s going to translate to Sundays.”
Now entering his second season post-injury, Hockenson is laser-focused on reclaiming his spot among the NFL’s elite. “I want to be the top tight end in this league,” he declared. “I want to be the best player in this league, but I’m also focused on being the best teammate I can be.” That mindset aligns perfectly with McCarthy’s, creating a synergy that has the Vikings’ coaching staff and fans buzzing with anticipation.
Hockenson’s pride in his craft is evident when he talks about route-running, a skill he considers his calling card. “I’m one of the top route-running tight ends in the league,” he said. “I pride myself on creating separation. That’s what I do on Sundays.” His ability to shake defenders stems from a philosophy instilled by former Lions offensive coordinator and current Bears head coach Ben Johnson. “Ben talked about, ‘Hey, I’m going to give you a canvas, and you have the brush,’” Hockenson recalled. “‘You paint a picture within the rules I’m giving you.’”
In Minnesota, head coach Kevin O’Connell runs a tighter ship, with precise expectations for his receivers and tight ends. “We want you here at a spot within a certain timing,” Hockenson explained, “but on the other hand, J.J. is a playmaker. O’Connell wants us to get open.” This balance between structure and freedom suits Hockenson’s natural instincts and McCarthy’s improvisational flair, setting the stage for a dynamic partnership.
As the Vikings prepare for their season opener, the chemistry between McCarthy and Hockenson is a storyline to watch. McCarthy’s meticulous self-critique—those “four, five, six things” he targets daily—complements Hockenson’s polished route-running and relentless work ethic. Together, they embody the kind of drive that could elevate Minnesota’s offense to new heights.
With Hockenson feeling like his old self and McCarthy poised to make his NFL debut, the Vikings are banking on their shared hunger to translate into wins. “There’s been times throughout my career I’ve had challenges,” Hockenson said, “and I’ve always been able to bounce back and be a better player than what I was.” If McCarthy’s daily quest for improvement and Hockenson’s veteran savvy are any indication, Minnesota’s Sundays are about to get a lot more exciting.