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The Minnesota Vikings just do not let their best players go.
Kyle Rudolph announced a contract extension on Twitter in the evening before the opening of the minicamp at the TCO Performance Center: "I am honored beyond words to say that my home, our home, will still be in Minnesota. "
Darren Wolfson of KSTP-TV reports that the team and Rudolph accepted the terms of the contract. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the agreement is $ 36 million over four years.
Rudolph's contract was due to expire after this season and his name was announced in the NFL draft as a potential commercial candidate. Irv Smith's selection by the Vikings in the second round fueled the discussion about giving the veteran the task of creating the necessary heading space for the Vikings to enter the 2019 season. A new deal will open the door and the 2019 offense will contain more weapons than last year for Cousins' quarterback Kirk.
The conditions have been accepted. #Vikings https://t.co/gmFMP8W0nk
– Darren Wolfson (@DwolfsonKSTP) June 11, 2019
Rudolph's age and criticism of his game may be a cause for concern, but most of the tight end of the Pro Bowl Vikings is that he was one of the most trusted players in the NFL. He has played in all 16 games in the last three seasons and placed third, ninth and seventh in the tight ends. Last season, the Cousins posted a score of 113.5 when they targeted Rudolph.
If the Vikings' new offensive under Gary Kubiak and Kevin Stefanski stopped focusing on embarrassment, it might have made sense to move on. However, according to a 2016 Mile High Report study, Kubiak's offenses were targeted in tight goals 23% of the time during his career as offensive coordinator and head coach. Last season, Rudolph received 16.5% of goals. The combination of Rudolph and Smith will therefore be essential to the offensive success of the Vikings.
It would have been incredibly risky to give the role to Smith, who will turn 21 on August 9th. The tight beginnings of rookies tend to have ups and downs and have a hard time becoming full players immediately. Last year, three of the four worst stuck opponents of the NFL by Pro Football Focus ranks were rookies. Now, Smith can make the difference as an extra weapon that can be used in the backfield, as a wide receiver and in several tight end sets. Its impact will be the domino effect of Rudolph's presence.
As for his age, the Vikings are not able to be too worried about the future. By the time they signed an $ 84 million deal with Cousins, it was clear that Minnesota was in Super Bowl mode. Most stars of the Vikings begin to age. Players like Everson Griffen, Harrison Smith, Xavier Rhodes and Linval Joseph should not have many high-profile seasons yet.
The Vikings need Rudolph now.
From the team's point of view, Rudolph is the latest of many purple players to sign contracts. This season saw Anthony Barr return, Griffen restructure his contract and Adam Thielen sign a long-term contract. It is clear that this group wants to make another jump together in a championship and the front office of the Vikings gives them the chance. It was more difficult if the Vikings had to replace one of the top 10 tight ends of the league.
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