Prediction
Rudolph will remain with the Vikings for 2019
Rudolph has been a mainstay on the Vikings for almost a decade and with his leadership in the locker room, it’s tough to see Minnesota just letting him walk.
Then again, a cap number north of $7 million is a problem for a team that would like to extend Adam Thielen and also attempt to re-sign Sheldon Richardson and Anthony Barr this offseason.
While the Vikings would certainly like to look toward the future, they also want to win now and Rudolph’s presence is something that can help push this team toward success in 2019. With the veteran tight end entrenched in the community, the most likely scenario this year is a compromise between the two sides.
Minnesota can offer Rudolph a cap-friendly extension that not only lowers his number for 2019, but keeps him in a Vikings uniform for the next couple years at a lower cost. At the same time, Minnesota can dip into the tight end class and have Rudolph act as a mentor for when he’s able to retire or the team lets him walk further down the road.
Nothing should be off the table when it comes to his future with the team, but it’s a safe bet that Rudolph will remain on the Vikings’ roster at least for 2019.