The Washington Commanders need a tight end in 2026. Zach Ertz, who started the past two seasons and became quarterback Jayden Daniels’ favorite target, suffered a torn ACL in a December loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Ertz becomes a free agent in March and will be 36 years old in 2026.
While Washington likes Ertz’s on-field performance, practice habits and locker room leadership, general manager Adam Peters said the play-callers need to get “younger and faster.” Ertz reportedly wants to play in 2026, but it seems questionable whether he will be Washington’s option.
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The Commanders have three tight ends under contract through 2026: John Bates, Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff. Betts is considered one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL, while Sinnott, a former second-round pick, has yet to reach his draft status. Not all of this is Sinnott’s fault, as he never saw action under former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. However, does Washington want to rely on Sinnott as its No. 1 tight end during the crucial 2026 season?
Probably not.
We’ve already mentioned Baltimore tight end Isaiah as a possible free agent option for the Commanders. Others believe Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts could be an option for Washington. But what if Answer is currently under contract with another team for next season?
CBS’ Joel Corry recently took a look at the top 15 candidates for possible salary cap cuts or trades next season. He mentioned an interesting candidate who might be a good fit at point guard: Vikings TE TJ Hockenson.
Hockenson tore the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his right knee in 15 games into the 2023 season, catching 95 passes for 960 yards and five touchdowns, and his performance has declined significantly since then. In two seasons after a knee injury, Hockenson caught 92 passes for 893 yards and three touchdowns in 19 games. Hockenson is averaging a career-low 29.2 receiving yards per game this season.
Hockenson’s salary cap hit is expected to be over $21 million next season. If cut, he would save the Vikings nearly $9 million. While Corey noticed a dip in Hockenson’s form after his knee injury, it wasn’t that obvious.
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In 2025, Hockenson played 15 games for the Vikings, catching 51 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns. Sure, those numbers don’t look great, but consider that Minnesota’s quarterback situation in 2025 is one of the worst in the NFL. Additionally, injuries along the offensive line have led to Hockenson being used more as a blocker.
Hockenson is still only 28 years old. When healthy, he’s proven to be one of the best receiving tight ends in the NFL. He would be perfect as a midfield option for Daniels. And he won’t need the highest capital on the market.
Of note is Hockenson’s connection to new Commanders offensive coordinator David Braff. In the 2019-21 season, Braff and Hockenson became teammates with the Detroit Lions. When Detroit waived Braff in the final round of cuts before the 2022 season, he signed with the Vikings’ practice squad. At the 2022 NFL trade deadline, the Vikings traded for Hockenson. Braff, the practice squad quarterback, helped Hockenson prepare for his first game. What about the first game? That game was against the Commanders, and Hockenson caught nine passes for 70 yards in his Minnesota debut.
If the Vikings waive Hockenson, he could be a realistic candidate to fill the starting tight end spot in Washington.
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This article originally appeared on Commander’s Wire: Washington Commander: Vikings TE TJ Hockenson an option if cut
