Vikings agree to terms with ex-Lions TE T.J. Hockenson on extension
EAGAN, Minn. – The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms on a contract extension Thursday with tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Hockenson was the eighth overall pick by Detroit in the 2019 draft out of Iowa. The twotime Pro Bowl pick was acquired in a deadlineday trade last year by the Vikings and had 60 catches for 519 yards in 10 games. His season total of 914 receiving yards was a career high.
Hockenson was only a limited participant for most of training camp, first citing an ear infection that caused equilibrium trouble and later attributing his absence to lower back stiffness. Hockenson repeatedly said he wasn’t holding back because of his contract extension.
“I didn’t view at as that at all,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. “I just know there was a process that had to play out.”
Hockenson was close to a full participant in practice Wednesday, coach Kevin O’Connell said, and is expected to be in the starting lineup for the season opener Sept. 10 against Tampa Bay.
The Vikings sent a 2023 second-round draft pick and a 2024 third-round draft pick to the Lions for Hockenson and two draft picks (a fourth-round draft pick in 2023 and a conditional draft pick in 2024).
Steelers fortify secondary, sign former All-Pro DB Desmond King
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday signed former All-Pro defensive back
Desmond King, fortifying their secondary on the eve of the regular season.
King, 28, spent the past two seasons with the Houston Texans, intercepting five passes and recovering two fumbles.
King’s arrival gives Pittsburgh’s secondary another veteran to a mix that includes Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and cornerback Patrick Peterson, who arrived in free agency during the spring.
The Los Angeles Chargers initially selected King in the fifth round of the 2017 draft. His breakout season came in 2018, when he was selected to the All-Pro team after intercepting three passes and swatting away 10 others.
Dolphins agree to terms with FB Ingold on three-year extension
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins and fullback Alec Ingold have agreed to a three-year contract extension, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced it publicly.
The deal is reportedly worth up to $17.2 million, which would make Ingold the highestpaid fullback in the AFC, according to Spotrac.com. Only San Francisco Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk’s five year, $27 million contract is worth more.
Ingold appeared in 17 games last season and caught 15 passes for 105 yards. His role as a blocker made him a key component in coach Mike McDaniel’s offense.