Vikings made the predictable move with tight end Kyle Rudolph

After 10 years with Minnesota, the Vikings made the decision to officially release veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph on Tuesday. 

What a time standout tight end Kyle Rudolph had with the Minnesota Vikings. Throughout his days with the team, he made big play after big play. Unfortunately for Rudolph, the writing was on the wall and the organization announced on Tuesday that they’ve released him.

This was a move we all saw coming, but that still doesn’t mean this is easy to accept for Vikings fans everywhere. Come next season, old reliable No. 82 won’t be out on the field with the rest of the offense.

The Minnesota Vikings have released Kyle Rudolph after 10 seasons with the team

“Kyle has been a leader and mentor for us on and off the field from the first day I arrived in Minnesota,” Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said in a team statement. “He has been such an important part of this team and community throughout his career and it has been an honor to coach him the last seven seasons. He will be missed, and we wish him and his family nothing but the best.”

A two-time Pro Bowler over the past 10 seasons with the Vikings, Rudolph recorded 453 receptions, 4,488 yards and 48 touchdowns during his time in town. Before arriving to Minnesota, he was a standout tight end at Notre Dame, leading to the Vikings taking him in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the No. 44 overall pick.

The 6-foot-6, 265-pounder would go on to have an incredible career with Minnesota, winning over countless fans in the process. Now, though, he’ll be looking for a new place to call home with the Vikings deciding to part ways with him prior to the 2021 campaign arriving.