Extension talks between the Minnesota Vikings and Kyle Rudolph have broken down.
This doesn’t guarantee that Rudolph won’t be on the Vikings in 2019, but I find it very unlikely Rudolph will be part of the Vikings if he’s getting paid the $7.6 million he’s due.
One team who could trade for Rudolph is the New England Patriots.
The Patriots have a void at tight end after Rob Gronkowski retired. The team also has $14.8 million in cap space, more than enough to absorb Rudolph’s salary.
The Patriots are also projected to receive two third-round compensatory picks in 2020 and two sixth-round picks, giving them plenty of draft ammo to shoot at the Vikings.
Rudolph for a third-round pick? Who says no?
The best-case scenario is that the two sides come to a contract restructure. While Irv Smith Jr. is the tight end of the future for this team, the Vikings would love if they had both weapons on their team for the next few seasons. Rudolph’s production is solid (64 catches for 634 yards and four touchdowns last season) and he’s great in the community.
If the Vikings decide to move on, though, the Patriots seem like they’d be the favorite for a trade.
