NFL Free Agency Rumors: Minnesota Vikings to work on extending Kyle Rudolph

Oct 13, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) catches a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Panthers win 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

The Minnesota Vikings have been active in free agency so far this offseason but one of their biggest targets isn’t on the market but is instead inside their own locker room. With Adrian Peterson anchoring the entire roster, the Vikings are looking for Kyle Rudolph to develop into the next great hybrid tight end in the NFL and are looking to lock him up before he gets too pricey.

According to Vikings guru Darren Wolfson from ESPN1500 in Minneapolis, the Vikings aren’t rushing to get a deal done with Rudolph, but it’s one their to-do list for the offseason.

One #Vikings move expected this summer or in-season: extension for TE Kyle Rudolph. He's a big priority looking at next year's in-house FAs.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) March 12, 2014

Bringing Rudolph back long-term seems to be a necessity for the Vikings, as the tight end position has evolved and Rudolph is built like the Jimmy Graham’s and Rob Gronkowski’s of the league. He hasn’t completely taken a next-level leap, but he seems rather close to doing so.

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