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T.J. Hockenson Signs 4-Year Rookie Contract with Lions Worth Estimated $19.8M

The Detroit Lions announced the signing of tight end T.J. Hockenson to his rookie contract on Thursday.

Rookie deals are generally pretty straightforward because the collective bargaining agreement lays out the financial details of each pick. As the eighth overall pick, Hockenson will receive an estimated $19.8 million over four years and count for $3.6 million against the salary cap in 2019, per Over the Cap.

Offset language can be a sticking point during negotiations, though. Depending on the terms of the contract, a team may not owe anything to a player if it releases him and he immediately signs elsewhere.