Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson Sends Message on J.J. McCarthy

JJ McCarthy remains the biggest question mark for the Vikings in 2025.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson expects to catch passes from second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy this season, and the veteran tight end has all the confidence in the world despite the unknowns.

McCarthy missed his rookie season due to a meniscus tear and surgery, so the former Michigan star and No. 10 pick hasn’t played a regular season snap yet. However, the Vikings handed over the keys of the offense to McCarthy and let quarterback Sam Darnold leave in free agency despite a career year in 2024.

“That’s my dog,” Hockenson told Fox News during Tight End University in June. “He is one of the best people I have been around. Just a young guy that’s hungry and wants to learn, he wants to get better.”

“I mean, he’s making a trip down here soon, and so he wants to be great in this league and I respect that and he is willing to do the things and the hard things it takes to be great,” Hockenson added.

 
T.J. Hockenson Eager to Help J.J. McCarthy Thrive
 
GettyTJ Hockenson could be a key go-to player for J.J. McCarthy this year.
Hockenson participated in the annual tight end summit in Nashville, Tennessee, led by star tight ends George Kittle and Travis Kelce plus former NFL tight end Greg Olsen. A Nashville area resident in the offseason, Hockenson said TEU has been beneficial for on-field improvement and connecting with fellow NFL tight ends.

“Coming here and having all the guys, it’s good to be around Travis, be around George. I mean, I’m around (Kittle) every day, we’re around each other every day,” Hockenson said.

“To see some of the guys off the field, and really make the connection, really meet them outside of football. It’s a lot of fun,” Hockenson  added. “So that’s what I try to get out of it every year, learning some things on the field, some tidbits, helping guys each year, and then being able to make those connections and build relationships off the field with those guys.”

For Hockenson, he will be catching passes from his third different starting quarterback in four seasons with the Vikings. However, Hockenson believes McCarthy can make the big throws and noted that his “arm talent is insane.”

“He’s got that switch. He turns that on when he gets on the field,” he said. “You don’t really notice that when you’re just hanging out and talking with him, but he really wants it.”

“He really wants everything to be perfect, and he’s a perfectionist for sure, which is awesome. That is how you need to be as a quarterback in this league,” Hockenson added.

 
J.J. McCarthy Perfect The Last Time a Score Counted
 
GettyJJ McCarthy won a national title with Michigan in the 2023 season.
The last time McCarthy played in a non-exhibition game, he was perfect as he completed an undefeated national championship season at Michigan for 2023. That year, McCarthy completed 72.3% of his passes for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns versus four interceptions.

McCarthy’s previous season also looked impressive amid a 64.6% completion rate for 2,719 yards and 22 touchdowns versus five picks. In both seasons, he displayed his mobility amid 508 yards rushing and five touchdowns between those two seasons.

While some quarterbacks put up much bigger numbers in college, McCarthy didn’t need to because the Wolverines were winning games and not playing from behind. The Vikings will find out if similar results are possible this year with the right support around McCarthy.
Matthew Davis covers the NFL, WNBA and college sports for Heavy.com. As a contributing writer to the StarTribune, he has also covered Minnesota prep sports since 2016. More about Matthew Davis