The Detroit Lions sent tight end T.J. Hockenson to Minnesota in a deadline-day trade. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

T.J. Hockenson trade likely signals end of Irv Smith Jr.’s Vikings tenure

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 11/2/22

When the Minnesota Vikings selected Irv Smith Jr. in the second round of the 2019 draft, the expectation was he would become the team’s No. 1 tight end.

But following Tuesday’s trade with the Detroit Lions that brought in Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson as well as draft-pick trades, Smith Jr.’s time in Minnesota is likely coming to an end.

The Lions and Vikings are making a trade, per @TomPelissero:

Lions get: 2023 second-round pick and 2024 third-round pick

Vikings get: TJ Hockenson, 2023 fourth-round pick, 2024 conditional fourth-round pick pic.twitter.com/rLgF6W1gf6
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 1, 2022

The 24-year-old Alabama alum logged 22 receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns this season before suffering an ankle injury in Minnesota’s 34-26 win over the Arizona Cardinals that will sideline him for eight to 10 weeks, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Smith Jr. will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, and with Hockenson under team control through 2023 season with a $9.39 million salary next season, Minnesota appears to be ready to move on from Smith Jr.

Hockenson has 26 receptions for 395 yards and three touchdowns through seven games. He has 11 fewer receptions but has 125 more yards and the same number of touchdowns as all of Minnesota’s tight end combined.

TJ Hockenson among TEs:

— 1st in yards per reception
— 1st in yards in a game
— 5th in receiving yards

Top __ TE in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/4lM39vbpDS
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 1, 2022