In all likelihood, the Vikings will have to cut back on big contracts in order to get under the 2021 salary cap.
When fans and analysts have considered the different ways Minnesota can do so, an obvious name that comes up is Kyle Rudolph. The Vikings veteran has been the team’s mainstay tight end for the past 10 seasons.
However, the Vikings have an up-and-coming tight end, Irv Smith Jr., who seems ready for a bigger role. Minnesota also has a capable backup in Tyler Conklin.
Not only that, but Rudolph’s recent comment to Ben Leber on the Unrestricted podcast (H/T KFAN) makes it seem like a restructure would be unlikely.
“I see both sides,” Rudolph said. “I’m looking at this situation like hey we’re paying this guy a lot of money and you’re not using him so why are we paying him a lot of money? … I think I’m worth every dime of my contract, that doesn’t mean that I’m used to my potential and I’m used to do what I do well.”