T.J. Hockenson's payday finally arrived.

After being traded to the Minnesota Vikings from the Detroit Lions midway through last season and missing a significant portion of training camp, the two-time Pro Bowl tight end landed a four-year, $68.5 million contract just a week out from the start of the 2023 regular season. The deal makes him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history and also includes a position-best $42.5 million guaranteed.

Hockenson, 26, displaced Darren Waller of the New York Giants as the highest-paid at his position. The former first-round pick out of Iowa plays a vital role for the Vikings' offense, as he quickly emerged as one of Kirk Cousins' favorite targets in recording 60 catches in just 10 games with the club last season.

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Who is the highest-paid NFL tight end?

Hockenson, who agreed to a four-year, $68.5 million contract with the Vikings on Aug. 31.

2023 NFL TE salary rankings

Here are the tight end salary rankings based on average annual value, according to Over The Cap.

1. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings: $17.125 million (4 years, $68.5 million)

2. Darren Waller, New York Giants: $17 million (3 years, $51 million)

3. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers: $15 million (5 years, $75 million)

4. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: $14.31 million (4 years, $57.25 million)

5. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles: $14.25 million (4 years, $57 million)

6. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens: $14 million (4 years, $56 million)

7. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars: $13.75 million (3 years, $41.25 million)

8. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns: $13.68 million (4 years, $54.75 million)

9. Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills: $13 million (4 years, $52 million)

10 (tie). Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears: $12.5 million (4 years, $50 million)

10 (tie). Hunter Henry, New England Patriots: $12.5 million (3 years, $37.5 million)

12. Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals: $10.55 million (3 years, $31.65 million)

13. Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints: $10 million (4 years, $40 million)

14. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons: $8.22 million (4 years, $32.91 million)

15. Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders: $8.02 million (4 years, $24.06 million)

16 (tie). Will Dissly, Seattle Seahawks: $8 million (3 years, $24 million)

16 (tie). C.J. Uzomah, New York Jets: $8 million (3 years, $24 million)

18. Jonnu Smith, Atlanta Falcons: $7.5 million (2 years, $15 million)

19. Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams: $7.25 million (4 years, $29 million)

20. Hayden Hurst, Carolina Panthers: $7.25 million (3 years, $21.75 million)

21. Josh Oliver, Minnesota Vikings: $7 million (3 years, $21 million)

22. Tyler Conklin, New York Jets: $6.75 million (3 years, $20.25 million)

23. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans: $6.25 million (1 year, $6.25 million)

24. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints: $6 million (2 years, $12.01 million)

25. Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers: $6 million (2 years, $12 million)

26. Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts: $5.85 million (3 years, $17.55 million)

27. Mike Gesicki, New England Patriots: $4.5 million (1 year, $4.5 million)

28. Foster Moreau, New Orleans Saints: $4.1 million (3 years, $12.2 million)

29. Durham Smythe, Miami Dolphins: $3.9 million (2 years, $7.8 million)

30. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills: $3.4 million (4 years, $13.4 million)

Here’s the highest-paid list for all the positions

• Highest-paid NFL players

• Quarterbacks

• Running back

• Receivers

• Offensive tackles

• Offensive guards

• Centers

• Edge rushers

• Interior defensive linemen

• Linebackers

• Cornerbacks

• Safeties

• Kickers

• Punters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest paid NFL tight ends: T.J. Hockenson tops 2023 salary rankings