Mikala Brown, the girlfriend of newly acquired Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson, is ready for his next chapter in Minnesota.
Taking to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, one day after Hockenson was traded from the Lions to the Vikings ahead of the NFL trade deadline, Brown celebrated the former first-round pick’s new beginnings in the NFC North.
“Excited for this next chapter,” Brown posted on her page, where she re-shared Hockenson’s farewell message to Lions fans.
T.J. Hockenson with his girlfriend, Mikala Brown. Instagram
Mikala Brown reacted to boyfriend T.J. Hockenson’s trade from Detroit to Minnesota in an Instagram Story. InstagramIn a post shared Tuesday on Instagram, Hockenson — who was selected eighth overall by the Lions in the 2019 NFL Draft — thanked Detroit for “accepting me and my family from the start.”
“All the teammates and coaches that I’ve been w/ here have helped me every step of the way,” he wrote.
Hockenson, 25, then concluded his message with a shoutout to his new team.
Newly acquired Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson cozies up to girlfriend Mikala Brown in a July 2022 photo. Instagram“MINNESOTA!!! Man I’m so excited! I can’t wait to be a part of this organization. Been a Midwest kid since Day 1 and can’t wait to be back. LFG!!! #SKOL,” Hockenson added.
The Lions sent Hockenson to the Vikings on Tuesday, along with a 2023 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-rounder. In return, Detroit received a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick.
A short time after he was traded, Hockenson remarked that while he had an inkling about being dealt, he “didn’t expect” to land in Minnesota.
“I kinda knew. I had a little idea. I didn’t expect here, but obviously super, super excited to be here,” Hockenson said, per Pro Football Talk. “When I got here last night I was like, This is pretty sweet. Just excited to be here, for real.”
The Vikings, who currently lead their division at 6-1, will face the Commanders (4-4) on Sunday.
