T.J. Hockenson has emerged as one of the top tight ends in the NFL and though it seems like the sky is the limit for the Detroit Lions former top 10 pick, he is already in the third year of his rookie deal and the team will eventually have to make a decision on whether or not he is worth a mega-contract.
During an exclusive interview with Chris Burke of The Athletic, Hockenson spoke about his future with the Lions, admitting that it is all in the hands of the Lions front office.
From The Atheltic:
“Mikala (Hockenson’s girlfriend) gets frustrated with me every once in a while,” Hockenson says, “because she’ll ask, ‘What’s your plan?’ … I don’t know. I don’t know if I’ll be here; I don’t know if I’ll be somewhere else.”
“You just don’t know,” Hockenson adds. “It all depends on what the front office thinks.”
“I enjoy this place,” Hockenson says. “I really do.”
“I’ll be here as long as they want me to,” Hockenson says. “I do think we’ll get this thing turned around, and I hope I’m here to be a part of it.”
The Lions have until May 3, 2022, to decide if they will pick up Hockenson’s fifth-year option for 2023 and though doing that seems like a no-brainer, the question is, will Lions GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell be willing to pay Hock like one of the top tight ends (likely over $15 million per season) to stay long term?
You may not want to hear it, but THAT may not be a very easy decision.
