Kyle Rudolph unfollows Vikings after Irv Smith Jr. drafted

[Purplepain2018]

There could be more going on behind the scenes here, but after the Vikings drafted Irv Smith, Jr. it would appear that Kyle Rudolph may have played his last game for the Vikings. Who knows how these things will play out, but Rudolph after unfollowing the Vikings on social media would appear that he sees the writing on the wall as far as his future with the Vikings. If that is the case, I would have preferred the Vikings would have traded him before the draft. Rudolph is a big target, but over the years his health and age are taking a toll and let's be honest he is the not the fastest guy on the field. I like the idea of getting younger and more athletic at the TE position that could take some pressure off of Thielen and Diggs. It would have been ideal if Treadwell would have developed, but he too might not be back next year as well. Any thoughts...

[fiestavike]

There could be more going on behind the scenes here, but after the Vikings drafted Irv Smith, Jr. it would appear that Kyle Rudolph may have played his last game for the Vikings. Who knows how these things will play out, but Rudolph after unfollowing the Vikings on social media would appear that he sees the writing on the wall as far as his future with the Vikings. If that is the case, I would have preferred the Vikings would have traded him before the draft. Rudolph is a big target, but over the years his health and age are taking a toll and let's be honest he is the not the fastest guy on the field. I like the idea of getting younger and more athletic at the TE position that could take some pressure off of Thielen and Diggs. It would have been ideal if Treadwell would have developed, but he too might not be back next year as well. Any thoughts...

No surprise. The Vikings are tight up against the cap and Rudolph is the only place they can get immediate cap space. If they can't shop Trae Waynes, Rudolph may well be cut, and therefore might well be dealt for even a modest return. Personally, I think Tyler Conklin is a dud and a guy who will not make the team. If the Vikings select another TE, I expect Rudolph to be cut.

The Vikings appear to be very cap conscious this year in drafting, and that's not surprising. I don't much like Irv Smith, but selecting a TE makes sense in terms of the cap. Same with selecting a RB. Cap constraints will make retaining Dalvin Cook after 2020 pretty unlikely. They have solved a position on the cheap for 4 years with that 3rd round pick.

[PurpleMustReign]

Interesting. Maybe he knows something. I can't imagine why a player who is still in a team would unfollow them only because of a player they drafted.

[CharVike]

Rudy needs to be cut. There will be no trade.

[dead_poet]

Rudy needs to be cut. There will be no trade.

No. He'll play this year and unless he balls out won't be resigned.

Apparently he's pretty sensitive about being referred to all the time as not being athletic enough. I mean, I'd probably get fed up after 7 years of that, too.

Still, pouting like that and unfollowing Vikings stuff because they drafted a dude at your position seems a little petty.

[Maelstrom88]

Rudy needs to be cut. There will be no trade.

No. He'll play this year and unless he balls out won't be resigned.

Apparently he's pretty sensitive about being referred to all the time as not being athletic enough. I mean, I'd probably get fed up after 7 years of that, too.

Still, pouting like that and unfollowing Vikings stuff because they drafted a dude at your position seems a little petty.

Ya I have never liked when players pout when their team brings in competition.

[808vikingsfan]

Maybe his agent told him to. Shows he's available for a trade. Just guessing

[Pondering Her Percy]

I just looked on Instagram and he’s still following the Vikings

[J. Kapp 11]

I just looked on Instagram and he’s still following the Vikings

Imagine that. A rumor that isn't true.

I stated this in the Draft Recap thread, and I'll say it here. Kyle Rudolph is not getting cut. Gary Kubiak, in 20+ years as a head coach and offensive coordinator, has a verified history of targeting tight ends 25% of the time. That is a very high percentage. He is famous for 12 personnel (one back, two tight ends, two receivers). Irv Smith is the perfect COMPLEMENT to Kyle Rudolph. That's why he was drafted. Not to replace Rudolph, but to work WITH him.

Every free agent signed this offseason, every draft choice, fits a profile that Gary Kubiak has prescribed for the Vikings' offense. No exceptions. Every single player. Make no mistake -- Kevin Stefanski may be the OC, but this is Kubiak's offense. His fingerprints are all over it.

How will the Vikings pay for all this? I have absolutely no idea. But I'd bet almost anything that Kyle Rudolph will be a Viking in 2019, one way or another, no matter whether he follows the team on Instagram or Twitter or whatever.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I just looked on Instagram and he’s still following the Vikings

Imagine that. A rumor that isn't true.

I stated this in the Draft Recap thread, and I'll say it here. Kyle Rudolph is not getting cut. Gary Kubiak, in 20+ years as a head coach and offensive coordinator, has a verified history of targeting tight ends 25% of the time. That is a very high percentage. He is famous for 12 personnel (one back, two tight ends, two receivers). Irv Smith is the perfect COMPLEMENT to Kyle Rudolph. That's why he was drafted. Not to replace Rudolph, but to work WITH him.

Every free agent signed this offseason, every draft choice, fits a profile that Gary Kubiak has prescribed for the Vikings' offense. No exceptions. Every single player. Make no mistake -- Kevin Stefanski may be the OC, but this is Kubiak's offense. His fingerprints are all over it.

How will the Vikings pay for all this? I have absolutely no idea. But I'd bet almost anything that Kyle Rudolph will be a Viking in 2019, one way or another, no matter whether he follows the team on Instagram or Twitter or whatever.

Agree as well. Never have I thought about them cutting him. I think they might go to him with a restructure but definitely not cutting him. He was nearly man of the year last year, super involved in this community, great leader and veteran presence and still effective in the red zone. He’s not going anywhere

[VikingsVictorious]

For all those thinking that Rudolph was going to be cut and signed by the Patriots for 3 Million this must be mind blowing. It's average annual value of 9 million per year. I like Rudy even more than most people, but my mind is blown. Maybe none of it's guaranteed. I really don't get this.

After an offseason of uncertainty, it appears as those the Minnesota Vikings and tight end Kyle Rudolph have mended fences.
Rudolph passed along a message via his Twitter account Monday night indicating he’s staying in Minnesota.
“I am honored beyond words to say that my home, our home, will always be… in Minnesota! #UnfinishedBusiness,” Rudolph wrote.
According to Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com, Rudolph has agreed to a contract extension with the Vikings. He is expected to sign the deal Tuesday morning. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, it’s a four-year extension worth $36 million. With the money remaining on his current deal for 2019, Rudolph will make upwards of $43 million over the next five seasons if the contract runs to its duration.
Rudolph was the subject of trade talks this offseason as extension talks with the Vikings had seemingly stalled out. Rudolph made it clear he didn’t intend to take a pay cut either. However, extension talks were back in the works three weeks ago and appear to have finally gotten over the finish line.
Curtis Crabtree NBC Sports

[PurpleMustReign]

For all those thinking that Rudolph was going to be cut and signed by the Patriots for 3 Million this must be mind blowing. It's average annual value of 9 million per year. I like Rudy even more than most people, but my mind is blown. Maybe none of it's guaranteed. I really don't get this.

After an offseason of uncertainty, it appears as those the Minnesota Vikings and tight end Kyle Rudolph have mended fences.
Rudolph passed along a message via his Twitter account Monday night indicating he’s staying in Minnesota.
“I am honored beyond words to say that my home, our home, will always be… in Minnesota! #UnfinishedBusiness,” Rudolph wrote.
According to Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com, Rudolph has agreed to a contract extension with the Vikings. He is expected to sign the deal Tuesday morning. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, it’s a four-year extension worth $36 million. With the money remaining on his current deal for 2019, Rudolph will make upwards of $43 million over the next five seasons if the contract runs to its duration.
Rudolph was the subject of trade talks this offseason as extension talks with the Vikings had seemingly stalled out. Rudolph made it clear he didn’t intend to take a pay cut either. However, extension talks were back in the works three weeks ago and appear to have finally gotten over the finish line.
Curtis Crabtree NBC Sports

I thought I read a lot of it was signing bonuses, etc. I trust Brzezinski in his cap management.

[Raptorman]

Many: Kirk Cousins contract will hurt the Vikings signing people.

Brez and Speilman: Hold our beer.

[VikingsVictorious]

Many: Kirk Cousins contract will hurt the Vikings signing people.

Brez and Speilman: Hold our beer.

LOL. I was torn between trying to sign Keenum for $18 million or Signing Cousins. In Hindsight I think we made the correct decision. I think Rudy is now guaranteed to be in Purple for better or for worse the next two years.

[CharVike]

Many: Kirk Cousins contract will hurt the Vikings signing people.

Brez and Speilman: Hold our beer.

LOL. I was torn between trying to sign Keenum for $18 million or Signing Cousins. In Hindsight I think we made the correct decision. I think Rudy is now guaranteed to be in Purple for better or for worse the next two years.

Many wanted Keenum for 18 mill. Most are quite now. He's a backup. Who pays a backup that kind of coin. He can't carry Cousins jock. The Rudy signing is disturbing. Unbelievable CAP for his contribution. 4 TDs. That don't cut it. But this may also be an indication that Smith needs time after seeing him at OTAs. The guy is only 20 and is a very good prospect. That CAP could have been used for that great G. At least that would have improved our team. We just took a step backwards because Rudy won't be getting any faster with time. Head scratcher.