The New York Giants officially signed tight end Kyle Rudolph to a two-year deal on Wednesday, which came 24 hours after the team discovered a lingering foot injury that will require surgery.
Although Rudolph, who missed the final four games of the 2020 season, would not elaborate or offer specifics on the injury, he did say he would undergo surgery “as soon as possible” and that he expects to be ready by training camp.
“It was certainly an interesting 24 hours,” Rudolph told reporters during a Zoom conference on Wednesday. “It was one that was unexpected. But, it’s a blessing that we’re able to find this issue. It was an issue from last season. We can fix it in March, and I won’t miss any football. I’m fortunate to be a New York Giant and it not be something that we discovered later and needed to deal with in-season.
“I’m not expecting to miss any football.”
Despite the injury hiccup, the Giants remained true to the terms they previously agreed upon. Rudolph’s contract was not changed or altered in any way, which speaks to the team’s optimism regarding his recovery.
It also speaks to the integrity of the organization, which is something Rudolph took note of. After speaking with head coach Joe Judge, the two-time Pro Bowl tight end passed on 10-plus other teams to join the Giants.
Kyle Rudolph says he picked the Giants over about a dozen other teams. Says after talking to Joe Judge, he knew he had to sign the dotted line.
— TheGiantsWire (@TheGiantsWire) March 24, 2021
And the players Rudolph will be joining? Yeah, he’s very excited about them, too.
“If you look at the first eight years of my career, I was really only known as a pass-catcher,” Rudolph said. “I’ve played with a couple really good running backs in my time in Minnesota with Adrian Peterson and Dalvin Cook. With my role changing the last couple of years it wasn’t that I couldn’t run around and catch balls anymore, I was just doing more of the blocking stuff.
“I’m looking forward to bringing that aspect of my game here to the New York Giants now playing with another phenomenal running back in Saquon [Barkley].”
Kyle Rudolph is looking forward to working with Evan Engram. He thinks they can complement each other "very, very well." The same goes for the rest of the TE room. He is looking forward to being part of a group that puts pressure on defenses.
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) March 24, 2021
If Rudolph can have his foot repaired and return to 100 percent come Week 1, the Giants will have themselves a quality all-around player who brings value both on and off the field.
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