Kyle Rudolph: Minnesota Vikings will release tight end of two seasons into four-year, $ 36m deal | NFL News

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Kyle Rudolph had spent his entire NFL career with the Vikings after drafting in 2011; the Pro Bowler’s tight end is two-time and has captured a playoff game in a playtime win over the Saints in 2019; The Vikings are reportedly saving $ 5.1m instead of caps

Last updated: 03/03/21 6:56 am

Kyle Rudolph was a Pro Bowler in 2012 and 2017

Kyle Rudolph was a Pro Bowler in 2012 and 2017

Kyle Rudolph was released by the Vikings, ending his 10-year stint in Minnesota.

The 31-year-old tight end had spent his entire NFL career with the Vikings after his second-round draft in 2011.

However, with two seasons left on a four-year, $ 36m contract, Minnesota has opted to move on from Rudolph, according to a statement that will save them $ 5.1m in cap space.

Writing in Tribune of the players Following his release, Rudolph said: “I was so lucky to not just get a draft from a team that ‘needed a tight end’.

“I didn’t get a draft just like, like, an unnamed head, no ‘No 1 tight on the board’ face, I got a draft with a team that was all set to use but then I drafted it anyway.

Rudolph pulls in the game-winning pass during the Vikings ’pre-season win over the New Orleans Saints in the 2019 NFC wild card round

Rudolph pulls in the game-winning pass during the Vikings ’preseason win over the New Orleans Saints in the 2019 NFC wild card round

“I will always remember him; how the Minnesota Vikings wanted me and how they wanted to bet on my ability.”

Viking head coach Mike Zimmer, who has worked with Rudolph for the past seven years, praised the tenor, saying: “Kyle has been a leader and mentor us on and off the field from the first day I arrived in Minnesota.

“He has been such an important part of this team and community all his life and it has been an honor to coach for the last seven seasons.

“He will be missed and we wish him all but his family.”

During his decade in Minnesota, Rudolph captured 453 passes for 4,488 yards and 48 touchdowns in 140 games (132 starts).

He set career heights of 83 appearances and 840 yards in 2016 and scored nine career-bests in 2012. He was a Pro Bowler in 2012 and 2017.

In the 2020 season, Rudolph had 28 catches for 334 yards and one score in 12 games.

One of his best moments came in a Viking jersey when he grabbed the touchdown pass that won in a 26-20 time win over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC wild card round of the 2019 season.

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