The Minnesota Vikings are in a precarious situation with tight end Kyle Rudolph.
A second-round draft pick in 2011, the two-time pro-bowler has consistently proven that he can contribute, and adapt to the team’s offensive scheme. However, Rudolph is slated to make nearly $7 million in 2019, before becoming a free agent in 2020, and the team currently has less than $1 million in salary cap space. The team also attempted to address their offensive needs through strategic selections in the 2019 NFL Draft.
On Monday, head coach Mike Zimmer hosted his inaugural golf outing and spoke about the current Rudolph situation.
Mike Zimmer at his golf outing on #Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph situation: "I've had conversations with Kyle and quite honestly I really love all my players. We expect Kyle to be here but sometimes business gets in the way.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson)
May 13, 2019 Tomasson, Vikings reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press also spoke with Rudolph at the outing.
#Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph “My family, myself, we want to be here and we're going to do everything we can to be there… If the alternative happens and we do get traded, change happens. ... Obviously, that’s not what we’re hoping for. … This is home for us.’’
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson)
May 13, 2019 #Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph: "My agent and Rob are working extremely hard with Rick. We’re in a tough situation as a team. You can’t keep everybody, you can’t pay everybody. Those guys I know are working really hard to try to figure out something.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson)
May 13, 2019 #Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph said negotiations are ongoing regarding his situation but he wants it resolved “sooner than later.’’ He said, “I don’t want to be dealing with this come OTAs, minicamp, training camp. … The Vikings want clarity. I think we want clarity.’’
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson)
May 13, 2019 Due to the #Vikings cap situation, Kyle Rudolph said: “Obviously, it’s a difficult situation, so there’s a lot of complex things that go into it. That takes time. It’s not an easy (like), ‘They like me, I like them. We want to stay here.’ That’s not the way it works.’’
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson)
May 13, 2019 Kyle Rudolph on his situation & being #Vikings Man of the Year: “There’s a lot of good guys in this league and unfortunately being a good guy can’t outweigh business decisions that have to be made... I would like to think they want to keep me because I’m a good football player.’’
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson)
May 13, 2019 Get a full reaction to the Kyle Rudolph contract situation with Henry Lake, weeknights following the Twins’ game on News Talk 830 WCCO.
