Kyle Rudolph Released by Minnesota Vikings
Tight end Kyle Rudolph has been released by the Minnesota Vikings after ten years with the franchise. The decision comes two years into his four year, $36 million contract.
Kyle Rudolph was drafted by the Vikings in 2011. Since that time, he caught 453 passes for 4,488 yards and 48 touchdowns in 140 games.
He was a Pro Bowler twice, in 2012 and 2017 and is the highest touchdown scoring TE in Vikings history. His career best nine touchdowns came in 2012. He also set career highs in interceptions (83) and yards (840) in 2016.
He will be most remembered for catching the winning touchdown pass against the Saints in the 2019 NFC wildcard round.
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“I got so lucky because I didn’t just get drafted by some team who ‘had a need at tight end’, he said.
“I didn’t just get drafted as, like, the nameless, faceless ‘No 1 tight end on the board’, I got drafted by a team that was all set in terms of need but then drafted me anyway.
“I’ll always remember that; how the Minnesota Vikings wanted me and wanted to bet on my potential.”
Kyle Rudolph captained the Vikings four times and is a three time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.
The decision to release him will reportedly save the Minnesota Vikings $5.1 million in cap space.Â
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“Kyle has been a leader and mentor for us on and off the field from the first day I arrived,†said head coach Mike Zimmer.
“He has been such an important part of this team and community throughout his career and it has been an honour to coach him the last seven seasons.
“He will be missed and we wish him and his family nothing but the best.”
