Longtime NFL veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph signed a new contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rudolph, a two-time Pro Bowler, spent the 2021 season with the New York Giants but has also played for the Minnesota Vikings.
Tom Brady has a new tight-end target in Tampa: Former Vikings’ and Giants’ veteran Kyle Rudolph is signing a one-year contact with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 21, 2022
Kyle Rudolph, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Agree to Contract
After 10 years with the Minnesota Vikings, Kyle Rudolph joined the second team of his career in 2021. Signing with the New York Giants, Rudolph finished the season playing in all 16 games while recording 26 receptions for 257 yards and one touchdown on 39 targets. Of course, Daniel Jones suffered an injury midway through the season, and Rudolph spent the back half of the year catching passes from Mike Glennon and Jake Fromm.
Rudolph initially entered the league as a second-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Selected by the Minnesota Vikings, the Notre Dame product began his career with a relatively unremarkable 26 receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns on 39 targets. While the production wasn’t there, the rookie showed plenty of promise throughout that first campaign.
Rudolph built on that success in 2012 and went on to establish himself as a legitimate NFL starter. During his second year in the league, Rudolph finished the season with 53 receptions for 493 yards and nine touchdowns on 93 targets while catching passes from Christian Ponder. This impressive season earned Rudolph his first ever Pro Bowl nomination.
Rudolph’s second trip to the Pro Bowl came following the 2017 season. Starting and appearing in all 16 games, the tight end finished the year with 57 receptions for 532 yards and eight touchdowns on 81 targets. Interestingly enough, Rudolph’s best season did not result in a Pro Bowl selection. In 2016, the Notre Dame product finished the year with 83 receptions for 840 yards and seven touchdowns on 132 targets.
Through his 11 seasons in the league, Rudolph has amassed 479 receptions for 4,745 yards and 49 touchdowns on 704 targets. He has played in 156 games over that timeframe, starting 145.
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