The drama involving All-Pro tight end Kyle Rudolph and his long-time employer is over after the two sides agreed to a deal that will allow him to finish his playing career with the Minnesota Vikings.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter says the deal is four years for $36 million, which in addition to the one year remaining on his current contract theoretically keeps Rudolph in purple through 2024. The team confirmed the extension in a press release late Tuesday morning, but did not confirm terms of the deal.
While not providing additional details, Rudolph all but confirmed the extension with a post on Twitter, writing about how he started his NFL dream, started a family and learned about community in the gopher state. "I am honored beyond words to say that my home, our home, will always be... in Minnesota! #UnfinishedBusiness, Rudolph posted.
There had been much public speculation about the big tight end's future with the Vikings, with the team's salary cap issues and their drafting of Alabama's Irv Smith, Jr. in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
In 112 games over eight seasons as a Viking Rudolph has grabbed 41 touchdown catches, the most by a tight end and fifth most all-time in franchise history. He has 386 total career receptions for 3,787 yards. Rudolph has started 65 consecutive games entering the 2019 season, a franchise record among tight ends and the longest active streak among NFL tight ends.
