Tight end T.J. Hockenson has signed a four-year contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings that can be worth up to $68.5 million, including $42.5 million guaranteed, according to ESPN.

Hockenson's annual salary of $17.125 million and the guaranteed money of his deal are both the highest for his position in NFL history.

"I'm excited to actually play football," Hockenson said. "And go out there and have to not worry about anything else and move forward from everything and go win some games. That's really what we're here for."

Hockenson attended only early-practice stretching and individual periods of the Vikings' pre-season training camp before he and the team agreed over the extension. He raised ear infection and lower back stiffness to the medical officials to skip other sessions.

Hockenson was traded by the Detroit Lions to the Vikings in November 2022 together with a 2023 fourth-round draft pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-rounder in exchange for a 2023 second-rounder and a 2024 third-rounder. He connected with quarterback Kirk Cousins in 60 receptions for 519 yards and three touchdowns in 10 regular season games.

Hockenson was selected into the Pro Bowl last season, the second time in his career.

"I know there is a business aspect to things," the Vikings' general manager Kwesi-Adofo-Mensah said. "Ultimately, I can't tell you anything for certain. But I didn't view it as that at all. I felt like there was a process that needed to play out and ultimately it ended up here, and we're excited about that."

"Our hopes were that we were acquiring a player that would become a major part of our offense moving forward," the Vikings' head coach Kevin O'Connell said. "We saw the immediate impact over those 10 games – 11 games. We've been able to build on T.J.'s role here, and really have a great process in the offseason of what it's really going to look like in our offensive system for a major player like T.J. to be a part of it."