Kyle Rudolph takes a shot at former Vikings WR Stefon Diggs
By Adam Patrick
During Mike Zimmer’s tenure as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, the team’s offense isn’t exactly one that has been centered around their passing attack.
In fact, there have been numerous instances in which Zimmer has had to remind his offensive coordinators that they need to call more running plays. With two playoff appearances in the last four seasons, Minnesota’s offensive approach has definitely played a part in some of their achievements.
With a heavy emphasis on the rushing attack, however, problems will sometimes arise with the wide receivers and tight ends that aren’t getting as many targets each week as they would like. This was the case in 2019 and it ultimately led to the Vikings trading Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills last year.
Kyle Rudolph has adjusted his role with the Minnesota Vikings
During a recent appearance on the “Unrestricted with Ben Leber” podcast, Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph described how his role in the offense has required him to block more instead of catching passes during the last few seasons.
"“You go back to the beginning of (the 2019) season and I’m like, ‘I can either get really good at the only thing I’m asked to do or I can complain about it and I can cause a scene (and) throw a fit. What’s going to be more productive for our team and for this organization?’”"
Wonder what Rudolph was referencing when he mentioned complaining and causing a scene? It couldn’t have had anything to do with the circus Diggs created during the middle of the 2019 season because he wasn’t happy with his role in Vikings offense, could it?
Interpret what the Minnesota tight end said however you may wish. But it certainly sounds like Rudolph did not like the way Diggs handled everything in 2019 when he wasn’t the only one who was frustrated with the team’s offense.
In addition to these comments, the Vikings tight end was also asked about how he thinks the 2021 offseason will turn out for him and what his future looks like with the franchise.
"“I think I’m worth every dime of my contract. That doesn’t mean that I’m used to my potential and I’m used to do what I do well. So it will be interesting over the next few months. I have three years left on my contract. I don’t want to go anywhere else.I’ve had multiple opportunities to get to free agency and it’s never been appealing to me because I don’t want to be anywhere else but (Minnesota).”"
Rudolph is set to count $9.45 million against Minnesota’s salary cap in 2021. Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz, and Jimmy Graham are the only tight ends in the NFL that are currently scheduled to have a higher cap hit for next season.
Coming off a 2020 campaign in which he finished with just 28 catches for 334 yards and one touchdown, Rudolph’s production is definitely not worthy of having the fourth-highest cap hit in the league for a tight end. The Vikings are going to need to get rid of some guys to create cap space this year and their veteran tight end is certainly a candidate to be let go.
Despite Rudolph saying he thinks he’s worth what his current contract is paying him, it didn’t sound like he wasn’t open to a possible salary reduction for 2021. It actually sounded more like he was willing to do almost anything to remain in the Twin Cities for next season and for the rest of his career.
Rudolph’s willingness to stay with the Vikings could make it easier for the team to keep him around this year. But it’s highly unlikely that Minnesota will let the tight end stick around without him agreeing to a contract restructure.