ESPN reported on Thursday that tight end Kyle Rudolph has signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 32-year-old player was released by the New York Giants in March after making 26 catches for 257 yards over the year he spent with the team.

Upon his arrival in Tampa, Rudolph is expected to fill the gap at the tight end that was left behind by Rob Gronkowski, who recently retired from the sport. Alternative tight end Codey McElroy lacks experience, having only appeared in one competitive league game.

Prior to joining the Giants, Rudolph played for the Minnesota Vikings for 10 seasons. In total, he has made 49 touchdowns and 479 catches for 4,745 yards during his entire NFL career. This includes averages of 2.9 yards per separation as well as 4.0 yards and 3.4 yards respectively over the last two years.

Having retired for a second time, Gronkowski publicly stated that he has no intention of ever returning to the NFL. Should Rudolph be unavailable, the Buccaneers will be able to fill the position with rookies Cade Otton or Ko Kieft, both of whom were picked during the NFL Draft in April this year.

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Two-time Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph has been released by the Minnesota Vikings.

Rudolph, who spent 10 years with the franchise, will get to experience free agency for the first time in his career after this move. The Vikings, on the other hand, get salary-cap relief as a result and will save around $5.1 million.

After the news became official, Rudolph published a lengthy letter, titled “Dear Minnesota”, in the Player’s Tribune. The 31-year-old veteran reflected on the time he spent in a Vikings jersey while also thanking everyone that helped him and supported him during his time with the franchise.

“My career is my career, and I’m really excited about whatever is around the corner,” Rudolph added. “I think I have a lot of good football still to play—and the fire inside of me to win a Super Bowl is burning as strong as ever.”

Rudolph signed a four-year, $36 million contract extension with the Vikings in 2019 and had three years left on his deal. But his lack of productivity and decreased role on offense made Minnesota question their commitment to the veteran.

The breakup between the two sides was hinted by Rudolph earlier in the offseason when he publicly said that he wants to be more involved in the offense, either with the Vikings or with some other team. He also made it clear that he didn’t intend to take any proposal to rework his current deal.

Rudolph had one of his least-productive campaigns in 2020, managing only 28 catches for 334 yards and one touchdown. But this shouldn’t damage his chance to land a spot on a team when the free agency opens.

The teams in today’s NFL appreciate a tight end who can be an asset in both the passing and blocking game, which is the skill Rudolph demonstrated throughout his career. He should also come rather cheap in proportion to his reputation, so expect contenders to be aggressive in trying to sign him.

The post Pro Bowler Kyle Rudolph Released by Vikings appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Kyle Rudolph will stay with Minnesota Vikings after all. Following months of speculation about Rudolph’s future, Vikings decided to make things more clear and give the 29-year-old Pro Bowler a four-year contract extension.

Although Minnesota didn’t disclose the financial terms of the contract, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the deal is worth $36 million.

“It was extremely important to my wife, Jordan, and me,” – said Rudolph in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Quite frankly, our only objective in this was to stay here in Minnesota. This is home for us. We want to stay here. We know how important it is to this fan base and the state of Minnesota to bring that first championship here, and now my sole focus is on that — just playing my roles on this team to the best of my ability and going out and trying to lead this team to a championship.”

Rudolph, who caught 64 passes for 634 yards and four touchdowns last season, also expressed his excitement about the new deal via his social media.

Kyle Rudolph came to the NFL in 2011 after Minnesota Vikings drafted him with a 43^rd overall pick. After inconsistent first several years in the league, Rudolph became an important part of Vikings’ offense. During his eight seasons with the organization, the caught 386 passes for 3,787 yards and 41 touchdowns.

Rudolph’s other career highlights include two Pro Bowl selections and Pro Bowl MVP honors.

The post Vikings Give TE Kyle Rudolph a 4-Year, $36 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

ESPN reported on Thursday that tight end Kyle Rudolph has signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 32-year-old player was released by the New York Giants in March after making 26 catches for 257 yards over the year he spent with the team.

Upon his arrival in Tampa, Rudolph is expected to fill the gap at the tight end that was left behind by Rob Gronkowski, who recently retired from the sport. Alternative tight end Codey McElroy lacks experience, having only appeared in one competitive league game.

Prior to joining the Giants, Rudolph played for the Minnesota Vikings for 10 seasons. In total, he has made 49 touchdowns and 479 catches for 4,745 yards during his entire NFL career. This includes averages of 2.9 yards per separation as well as 4.0 yards and 3.4 yards respectively over the last two years.

Having retired for a second time, Gronkowski publicly stated that he has no intention of ever returning to the NFL. Should Rudolph be unavailable, the Buccaneers will be able to fill the position with rookies Cade Otton or Ko Kieft, both of whom were picked during the NFL Draft in April this year.

The post Rudolph to Seal New One-Year Deal With Tampa Bay Buccaneers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Two-time Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph has been released by the Minnesota Vikings.

Rudolph, who spent 10 years with the franchise, will get to experience free agency for the first time in his career after this move. The Vikings, on the other hand, get salary-cap relief as a result and will save around $5.1 million.

After the news became official, Rudolph published a lengthy letter, titled “Dear Minnesota”, in the Player’s Tribune. The 31-year-old veteran reflected on the time he spent in a Vikings jersey while also thanking everyone that helped him and supported him during his time with the franchise.

“My career is my career, and I’m really excited about whatever is around the corner,” Rudolph added. “I think I have a lot of good football still to play—and the fire inside of me to win a Super Bowl is burning as strong as ever.”

Rudolph signed a four-year, $36 million contract extension with the Vikings in 2019 and had three years left on his deal. But his lack of productivity and decreased role on offense made Minnesota question their commitment to the veteran.

The breakup between the two sides was hinted by Rudolph earlier in the offseason when he publicly said that he wants to be more involved in the offense, either with the Vikings or with some other team. He also made it clear that he didn’t intend to take any proposal to rework his current deal.

Rudolph had one of his least-productive campaigns in 2020, managing only 28 catches for 334 yards and one touchdown. But this shouldn’t damage his chance to land a spot on a team when the free agency opens.

The teams in today’s NFL appreciate a tight end who can be an asset in both the passing and blocking game, which is the skill Rudolph demonstrated throughout his career. He should also come rather cheap in proportion to his reputation, so expect contenders to be aggressive in trying to sign him.

The post Pro Bowler Kyle Rudolph Released by Vikings appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Kyle Rudolph will stay with Minnesota Vikings after all. Following months of speculation about Rudolph’s future, Vikings decided to make things more clear and give the 29-year-old Pro Bowler a four-year contract extension.

Although Minnesota didn’t disclose the financial terms of the contract, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the deal is worth $36 million.

“It was extremely important to my wife, Jordan, and me,” – said Rudolph in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Quite frankly, our only objective in this was to stay here in Minnesota. This is home for us. We want to stay here. We know how important it is to this fan base and the state of Minnesota to bring that first championship here, and now my sole focus is on that — just playing my roles on this team to the best of my ability and going out and trying to lead this team to a championship.”

Rudolph, who caught 64 passes for 634 yards and four touchdowns last season, also expressed his excitement about the new deal via his social media.

Kyle Rudolph came to the NFL in 2011 after Minnesota Vikings drafted him with a 43^rd overall pick. After inconsistent first several years in the league, Rudolph became an important part of Vikings’ offense. During his eight seasons with the organization, the caught 386 passes for 3,787 yards and 41 touchdowns.

Rudolph’s other career highlights include two Pro Bowl selections and Pro Bowl MVP honors.

The post Vikings Give TE Kyle Rudolph a 4-Year, $36 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.