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New England Patriots Rumors: Monitoring the Kyle Rudolph situation

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball in the end zone for a touchdown over defender Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball in the end zone for a touchdown over defender Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots continue to be linked to Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph even with the two sides working on a contract extension.

With Benjamin Watson due to serve a four-game suspension to start the 2019 NFL season, the New England Patriots may be in the market to add another veteran tight end if one suddenly became available.

One of those possibilities remain Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph.

The odds that he becomes available become lower by the day, but until Rudolph and the Vikings work out a contract extension, the rumors will continue to swirl.  What we know is the cap-strapped Vikings have to do something about Rudolph’s contract if they can’t work out a deal.

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Although both sides are working vigorously to work something out to keep Kyle Rudolph in Minnesota, the snag in the negotiation process keeps a trade or release highly possible.  That’s the good news for the Patriots if they are monitoring the situation.  The bad news is that Rudolph wants to remain with the Vikings, and he is optimistic that something could be worked out.

"“They want me in Minnesota.  I want to be in Minnesota,” Rudolph told NFL Network’s Scott Hanson on Total Access last Wednesday.  “Unfortunately, the business side of things gets in the way.  That’s a testament to the rest of the team.  We have a lot of good football players on our team.  You can’t pay everyone.  You can’t keep everyone.”"

The Minnesota Vikings drafted tight end Irv Smith Jr., thus setting themselves up to be okay at the position if they can’t work things out with Rudolph.  The best-case scenario is that they can move forward with the tandem.

The worst-case scenario is releasing the 29-year-old tight end who won’t settle for anything less than the $7.6 million salary he is due in 2019.  Therefore, a trade to get something for Kyle Rudolph would be the best interest of the team.

If not the Vikings, why the Patriots?

The New England Patriots are one of the best teams in the NFL at manipulating the salary cap.  If there is a way to fit Kyle Rudolph into the mix, they will find a way.

As it seemed apparent the team was set to move forward with their current group of tight ends, Benjamin Watson’s four-game suspension at least keeps their eyes open for another reliable tight end at the position.  Now, someone like Matt LaCosse or Austin Seferian-Jenkins could emerge, but if a weapon like Rudolph could be had, why not?

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No one is going to replace Rob Gronkowski, but another big target suddenly makes the New England Patriots offense very dangerous.  While Kyle Rudolph remaining in Minnesota is highly possible, until a new contract extension is signed and the ink dries, the of the 6-foot-6 tight end in a Patriots’ uniform sparks possibility.

It would be a one-and-done type deal, but would give the defending Super Bowl champions an answer at the tight end position at least for 2019.

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