Lions' Hockenson: ‘Not naive’ to trade speculation

Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson. David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Lions TE T.J. Hockenson: ‘Not naive’ to trade speculation

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 10/29/22

After a promising first handful of games, the Detroit Lions are 1-5 and looking up at the rest of the NFC North.

A loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday could drop the Lions far enough out of playoff contention and force the team to start making tough decisions for the future, notably what to do with tight end T.J. Hockenson.

Speaking to reporters recently, the Pro Bowl tight end, who’s arguably Detroit’s top trade asset, admitted he’s heard the speculation and that he’s not blind to how the business works.

Several #NFL teams have reached out to #Lions about TJ Hockenson. #OnePride #NFLRumors

Lions TE T.J. Hockenson, and while he says he wants to stay in Detroit, he understands why he could be traded.
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) October 29, 2022

"Listen, I’m not stupid, I know what I can bring to another team,” Hockenson said, via Sports Illustrated. “And I know here that they could, if they want something, if they want to do things for the future, then I’m not stupid in that sense. It is a business, and whatever they have to do upstairs, they’re going to do. And that doesn’t -- there’s no hard feelings about it. There’s no, 'Hey, I don’t like him personally' or anything about that. That’s just how it is. So, I’m not dumb or naïve in that fact."

The eighth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Hockenson has been one of Detroit’s more reliable pass catchers over the last three-plus years. The 25-year-old has 183 receptions for 1,988 yards and 15 touchdowns in 46 games with the Lions.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the reported frontrunner to trade for Hockenson, while other teams that could be potentially searching for tight end help include the New York Giants, New York Jets, and Seattle Seahawks.

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