Lions to pick up T.J. Hockenson’s fifth-year option, eyeing extension

As a one-time Pro Bowl selection at tight end, Hockenson will command a $9.39M salary on his 2023 option. The Lions are only using the option as a placeholder, however, eyeing an extension for the veteran pass catcher, Holmes said via the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett.

One of a few Iowa-produced tight ends stationed in the NFC, joining George Kittle and Noah Fant, Hockenson followed Eric Ebron as a top-10 Lions tight end choice. Hockenson earned his Pro Bowl nod in 2020, when he caught 67 passes for 723 yards and six touchdowns. 

The 6-foot-5 target played all 16 games that season. Injuries have limited him to 12 apiece in his first and third years, respectively. An ankle injury sidelined the former No. 8 overall choice in December 2019, and thumb surgery shelved him in December of last year. Hockenson still operated as Jared Goff‘s top target in 2021. He averaged a career-high 48.6 yards per game.

The deals the Patriots gave Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry last year come in at $12.5M per year, with Dallas Goedert signing a $14.25M-AAV extension late last year. Neither Kittle nor Travis Kelce‘s deals check in much higher — at $15M and $14.3M per year, respectively — so Hockenson will be positioned to be among the highest-paid tight ends in the game. With Goff’s contract unlikely to be on the Lions’ payroll long-term, they will have cash to dole out to other key players in the near future.

Detroit figures to lean on Hockenson again in 2022, though Amon-Ra St. Brown and D.J. Chark should factor in heavily in the team’s passing attack. Holding the Nos. 32 and 34 picks this month, the Lions could certainly add a big name to their receiving corps in the draft as well.