May 10 UPDATE: TJ gets $12.4M SIGNING BONUS, 4 YEAR DEAL WORTH $19.8M
Detroit Lions sign top pick T.J. Hockenson to big rookie contract
Dave Birkett,
Detroit Free Press
Published 4:41 p.m. ET May 9, 2019
In the hours after the Detroit Lions made him the No. 8 overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft, T.J. Hockenson kept remarking about how "cool" it was "to play football for a living."
"I would play for free," Hockenson said on draft night. "This is awesome."
As of Thursday, Hockenson will officially get paid to play the game he loves.
Hockenson was one of three Lions to sign their rookie contracts Thursday, signing a four-year slotted deal worth $19.8 million that includes a $12.4 million signing bonus.
Hockenson is expected to play a major role for the Lions this fall, likely starting at tight end in a redesigned offense that will feature plenty of two tight end sets.
He led Iowa with 760 yards receiving on 49 catches last year, when he won the Mackey Award as college football's top tight end, and was regarded as one of the most complete tight end to enter the draft in the past decade.
For that reason, the Lions made Hockenson the rare high draft pick at the position. In the past 40 years, three other tight ends have gone in the top eight of the draft.
"Really checked every box that we had in terms of the evaluation process from on field, to third down, to red area, to blocking, to special teams, to culture, to intelligence, to work ethic," Quinn said. "You name it, he checked basically every box throughout the whole process."
LINK: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...roit-lions-t-j-hockenson-contract/1155932001/
UPDATE:
ORIGINAL POST
Last year's #8 pick was Linebacker Roquan Smith, who was selected by the Chicago Bears.
Smith signed a $18.4 million contract that included $11.5 million guaranteed.
Like all rookie deals, the four-year contract includes a team option for a fifth season.
Detroit Lions sign top pick T.J. Hockenson to big rookie contract
Dave Birkett,
Detroit Free Press
Published 4:41 p.m. ET May 9, 2019
In the hours after the Detroit Lions made him the No. 8 overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft, T.J. Hockenson kept remarking about how "cool" it was "to play football for a living."
"I would play for free," Hockenson said on draft night. "This is awesome."
As of Thursday, Hockenson will officially get paid to play the game he loves.
Hockenson was one of three Lions to sign their rookie contracts Thursday, signing a four-year slotted deal worth $19.8 million that includes a $12.4 million signing bonus.
Hockenson is expected to play a major role for the Lions this fall, likely starting at tight end in a redesigned offense that will feature plenty of two tight end sets.
He led Iowa with 760 yards receiving on 49 catches last year, when he won the Mackey Award as college football's top tight end, and was regarded as one of the most complete tight end to enter the draft in the past decade.
For that reason, the Lions made Hockenson the rare high draft pick at the position. In the past 40 years, three other tight ends have gone in the top eight of the draft.
"Really checked every box that we had in terms of the evaluation process from on field, to third down, to red area, to blocking, to special teams, to culture, to intelligence, to work ethic," Quinn said. "You name it, he checked basically every box throughout the whole process."
LINK: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...roit-lions-t-j-hockenson-contract/1155932001/
UPDATE:
ORIGINAL POST
Last year's #8 pick was Linebacker Roquan Smith, who was selected by the Chicago Bears.
Smith signed a $18.4 million contract that included $11.5 million guaranteed.
Like all rookie deals, the four-year contract includes a team option for a fifth season.
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