Who Should I Start? Tyler Conklin or T.J. Hockenson

Sunday, March 2, 9:27 PM

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin is not expected to return in 2025, according to SNY's Connor Hughes. Sources say the Jets are showing interest in free-agent tight ends, with Juwan Johnson being the top target. If the Jets choose to sign a cheaper player, they could look to someone like John Bates. The 29-year-old Conklin will soon become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and will be free to sign with any NFL team, but it's unlikely the Jets will make much of an effort to retain him. The former fifth-rounder (157th overall) of the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 out of Central Michigan caught 51 of his 72 targets for 449 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in his third year with the Jets in 2024. In his three years in New York, he accumulated 170 receptions, 1,622 receiving yards and seven TDs in 50 games (43 starts). Conklin is unlikely to be much more than a backup TE wherever he lands in free agency.

Tuesday, January 14, 12:46 AM

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson brought in all five of his targets for 64 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The 27-year-old was able to break free for a nifty 26-yard catch-and-run late in the third quarter, but that would be the team's only TD -- and highlight -- of the game. The Vikings' offense fizzled out for the second straight week as quarterback Sam Darnold's late-season collapse continued. It's an unfortunate ending to the season for Minnesota, who won 14 games and was on the brink of a first-round bye. Still, Hockenson can find a silver lining in that he did not re-injure the knee that kept him out of the season's first seven games. He'll now turn to 2025 with uncertainty at quarterback.