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Kyle Rudolph had spent his entire NFL career with the Vikings after drafting him in 2011; tight end is a two-time Pro Bowler and caught a winning touchdown in an overtime win over the Saints in 2019; This outing would save Vikings $ 5.1 million in ceiling space
By Joe Shread
Last updated: 03/03/21 6:56 am
Kyle Rudolph was a Pro Bowler in 2012 and 2017
Kyle Rudolph was freed by the Vikings, ending his 10-year stay in Minnesota.
The 31-year-old tight end had spent his entire NFL career with the Vikings after drafting him in the second round in 2011.
But, with two seasons remaining on a four-year, $ 36 million contract, Minnesota opted to move on from Rudolph, which would have saved him $ 5.1 million in cap space.
Write in The players’ stand following his release Rudolph said: “I was very lucky because I wasn’t just drafted by a team that ‘had a need in the end’.
“I wasn’t just drafted as, like, nameless and faceless the ‘tight No.1 on the board’, I was drafted by a team that were all defined in terms of needs, but who m ‘still drafted.
Rudolph hits the winning touchdown pass in the Vikings’ overtime win over the New Orleans Saints in the 2019 NFC wildcard round
“I’ll always remember this; how the Minnesota Vikings wanted me and wanted to bet on my potential.”
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, who had worked with Rudolph for the past seven years, praised the tight side, saying: “Kyle has been a leader and mentor to us on and off. from the ground since the first day I arrived in Minnesota.
2x Pro Bowler
3x nominated for man of the year Walter Payton
4x team captain
Most TD by a #Vikings tight endThank you Kyle for the impact you have had on our organization and the Twin Cities community. pic.twitter.com/aSvBkvUrWr
– Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 2, 2021
“He has played such an important role in this team and this community throughout his career and it has been an honor to coach him over the past seven seasons.
“He will be missed and we wish him and his family the best.”
During his decade at Minnesota, Rudolph caught 453 passes for 4,488 yards and 48 touchdowns in 140 games (132 starts).
He set career highs of 83 receptions and 840 yards in 2016 and won nine career-best touchdowns in 2012. He was a Pro Bowler in 2012 and 2017.
During the 2020 season, Rudolph made 28 catches for 334 yards and one score in 12 games.
One of his finest moments in the Vikings jersey came when he caught the winning touchdown pass in the 26-20 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints in the wildcard round NFC of the 2019 season.
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