Kyle Rudolph Agrees to Contract Extension With Vikings
By Jerry Trotta
The Minnesota Vikings have elected to keep Kyle Rudolph despite being rumored to want to trade the star tight end after he revealed that he wouldn't take a pay cut to remain with the organization.
On Monday night, the Vikings agreed to a contract extension with the former Notre Dame star that's worth $36 million over four years, keeping him in Minny through the 2023 season.
Vikings are giving veteran TE Kyle Rudolph a four-year, $36 million extension that locks him into Minnesota, per source. Rudolph not going anywhere, except back to the Vikings.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 11, 2019
Rudolph, who was set to become a free agent next year, was actually the first to break the news as he took to Twitter to reveal the deal in an emotional post.
#UnfinishedBusiness #Skol pic.twitter.com/ooOXJruWFF
— Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph82) June 11, 2019
Yeah, we'll hazard a guess and say that the two-time Pro Bowler was keen on calling U.S. Bank Stadium his home for the remainder of his career all along.
In retrospect, it's actually a great deal for both sides, as the 29-year-old vet's new deal is expected to lower his cap hit of $7.625 million, which, of course, helps the Vikings' current financial situation.
Since he entered the NFL in 2011, Rudolph ranks 10th in receptions, 12th in receiving yards, and fourth in touchdown catches among all tight ends -- production that simply could not have been found on the open market.