Mike Zimmer expects Kyle Rudolph to be with the Vikings in 2019

During his golf tournament on Monday, the Minnesota Vikings head coach commented on the team’s current situation with their veteran tight end.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has never been known as a guy to beat around the bush when it comes to giving his opinion. If Zimmer feels strongly about something, he’s going to let it be known (just ask Anthony Barr and Xavier Rhodes).

This remained the same when the Vikings head coach was asked on Monday at his first annual golf tournament about the recent reports indicating that the team might be trying to trade tight end Kyle Rudolph before the 2019 season.

Despite extension talks reportedly coming to a halt, Zimmer still believes that Minnesota will take the field for their Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in 2019 with Rudolph on the roster.

"“I’ve had conversations with Kyle. Quite honestly, I really love all my players. We expect Kyle to be here.”"

From what the team’s head coach said on Monday, it really sounds like the Vikings want to keep their veteran tight end around for next season. Even with Minnesota using a second-round draft pick on former Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr. this year, the team still seems committed to finding a way to keep Rudolph on their 2019 roster.

The Vikings tight end was also present at Zimmer’s golf tournament on Monday and he answered a few questions about his current status with the team.

"“I would certainly hope they don’t just keep me here because I’m a good guy and do good things in the community. I would like to think that they keep me because I’m a good football player.”"

Rudolph added that he understands the business aspect of the league and sometimes tough decisions just have to be made. However, the Minnesota tight end did say that he would like to know if he’s going to remain with the team or not for 2019 by the time players return to the practice field for OTAs next week.

The Vikings have some tough decisions to make over the next few weeks to free up some cap space and one of them may result in Rudolph be dealt to another team.

But until that actually happens, there’s no reason to believe that the tight end won’t be with Minnesota for the 2019 season.