Will Kyle Rudolph be better or worse for the Vikings in 2019?

He already got his extension

We stated above how Rudolph could be motivated to prove he was worth the extension and money the Vikings gave to him. But what if deep down inside, he knows he really has no financial incentive to perform well and maybe even without realizing it begins to take a play off here or there.

Now Rudolph has given no indications that he is that type of player. But he is getting older and sometimes a guy’s body needs a break.

He could begin to feel some aches and pains and could begin taking himself out for a play or two. Again, with getting paid already there is no financial benefit to pushing his body to its limits.

Rudolph could also look to take on more of a mentor role. Production won’t mean as much to him after getting his money, and he could look to teach the young guys like Irv Smith Jr. and Tyler Conklin. He could teach them what to do in certain situations and all the little route running and blocking nuances that have made him so great over the years.

He could relish this role and maybe insist on seeing some of the young guys take reps that would normally belong to him because again, he’s already gotten his money and at this point has nothing left to prove.