Well, that was fast.
It was just Tuesday that KSTP’s Darren Wolfson was betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers landing former Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph. Wednesday night rolled around, and now, it’s a done deal.
The Bucs have reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the 32-year-old tight end, who will now catch passes from the greatest quarterback that ever lived, Tom Brady.
It’s an expected move considering Rob Gronkowski recently retired, and the Bucs needed another veteran tight end versatile enough to step into the role as a blocker and a receiver.
Rudolph has some miles on him, but he can still do both on a part-time level. Not only does this signing get him back on the field, but it also gives him a chance to potentially compete for a Super Bowl with a team that should be an NFC contender once January rolls around.
Tom Brady has a new tight end: The #Bucs are signing veteran Kyle Rudolph to a one-year deal, per source.
A two-time Pro Bowl pick, Rudolph spent 10 years in Minnesota before playing for the #Giants in 2021. Now, he figures as a big piece of the post-Gronk plan in Tampa.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 21, 2022
As for the Vikings, Wolfson reported there was interest from Rudolph’s representatives for a return to Minnesota, but things felt one-sided in that regard. The Vikings never hung up the phone, but they also weren’t in a rush to sign their former longtime tight end, either.
But there’s a chance they could see him in the postseason, if things go according to plan with the Vikings’ new coaching staff. What a reunion that would be on the football field.
