Vikings Reportedly Looking to Trade TE Kyle Rudolph

Kyle Rudolph with the Vikings in 2018
Kyle Rudolph with the Vikings in 2018. Photo by Chris Szagola/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (9917081h)

After contract extension talks between Minnesota Vikings and tight end Kyle Rudolph broke last week, the two sides might be heading towards divorce. According to sources close to the situation, Vikings are now looking to trade Rudolph and will start receiving trade calls pretty soon.

Rudolph is currently in the last year of his five-year deal he signed in 2014 and will earn $7.6 million this season. This makes him Minnesota’s fifth highest paid player on the offensive side of the ball.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Vikings and Rudolph were engaged into negotiations until Friday morning when the deal broke after the two sides realized they are not getting any closer to reaching an agreement. According to Rapaport, there is a significant interest in Rudolph around the league.

Kyle Rudolph entered the league in 2011 when Vikings took him in the second round of the draft.  Although he struggled with injuries and inconsistency at the beginning of his NFL career, Rudolph developed in a dependable player and managed to earn two Pro Bowl appearances during his time in the league.

Since 2011, Rudolph scored 41 touchdowns, which ranks him fourth among all tight ends. He is also 10th in receptions with 386 catches and 12th in receiving yards with 3,787 yards.

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