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New England Patriots Rumors: Kyle Rudolph-to-Patriots trade losing steam

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Unless the Minnesota Vikings change their stance regarding the value of Kyle Rudolph, the veteran tight end won’t be coming to the New England Patriots.

Here’s what we know regarding Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph.  As long as the New England Patriots need a top tight end and Rudolph doesn’t receive a contract extension from the Vikings, rumors of a potential trade between the two will swirl.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter attempted to put out that fire during his appearance on WEEI’s “Ordway, Merloni & Fauria” this past Friday.  But, like Rob Gronkowski putting to rest comeback rumors in early June, even a report from the very reliable Schefter can be taken for a grain of salt just a month before NFL training camp begins.

Again, until Rudolph and the Minnesota Vikings reach a contract extension, there is a chance he could be wearing a new uniform come the start of the 2019 NFL season.  The question is, will the asking price be too high for the Patriots to entertain?

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"“I think that (the Patriots) have had conversations with the Vikings and I think the Vikings have wanted too much,” Schefter said, as transcribed by WEEI.  “I think that unless the Vikings’ stance changes, the Patriots aren’t about to give up a premium pick, and I don’t mean a first-round pick, a premium pick for a guy going into the last year of his contract at this time.  If Minnesota changes its mind and is like, ‘You know what we like Irv Smith.  He’s looked good in camp.’…Then they could move on from Kyle Rudolph.”"

From a Minnesota Vikings perspective, the idea of a two tight end duo causing havoc in the passing game is intriguing for a team out to reach the Super Bowl this season.  As long as both sides are willing to talk and are on good terms, the Vikings probably won’t change their stance until and unless the situation lingers deep into the preseason.

As for the New England Patriots, they will more than likely continue to monitor the situation, while at the same time hoping a player like Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson or second-year tight end Ryan Izzo pops in training camp, giving the team hope that they have something in the players they already have.

They will eventually get Ben Watson back after he serves his four-game suspension, so Bill Belichick will not panic when it comes to the tight end position.  As of early June, any thought of Kyle Rudolph filling some of the void left by Rob Gronkowski is just fandom.

However, the longer Rudolph does not get the contract extension he desires, the more likely that asking price will come down.  As is usually the case, the New England Patriots are waiting it out and will only strike a deal if they find it of good value.

Next. New England Patriots: Ranking team’s tight ends post-Gronk. dark

In other words, they aren’t trading a top-round pick for a player who will be a one-year rental.

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