The Giants are parting ways with Kyle Rudolph. After just one year in New York, the G-Men are releasing the tight end, according to Rudolph himself. 
“Fans, thanks for taking me and my family in this past year!,” Rudolph tweeted. “Certainly not the year any of us expected, but a year we will never forget. We’re appreciative of the Mara and Tisch families for giving us the opportunity to be [Giants]….Thanks to everyone in the building who took in and helped this old guy who needed to relearn everything about a new organization. And, finally my teammates. In my eleven years in this league, I’m not sure I’ve been around a closer group of guys!”
The veteran also said that he’s “looking forward to what’s next,” a possible indication that he’ll continue his career elsewhere. Indeed, the 32-year-old veteran is not looking to retire just yet, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The longtime Vikings starter has played 156 games over 11 seasons and has started 145 of those — including 13 with the Giants.
The Giants inked Rudolph to a two-year, $12MM deal in March of 2021. By releasing him, they’ll save $5MM in cap space while eating $2.41MM in dead money. Rudolph had 26 catches for 357 yards and one touchdown in his lone Giants season. That was roughly in line with his 2020 Vikings numbers, though he played in just 12 games that year versus 16 this past season.
While he’s never been a star, Rudolph has been a reliable option throughout much of his career. He also secured Pro Bowl selections twice, in 2012 and 2017. Despite the down years, it won’t be hard for Rudolph to find work elsewhere. The Giants, meanwhile, will evaluate their own TE group as Evan Engram inches towards free agency.
One down, who’s next? Martinez, Bradberry, Shepard, Dixon among others are all possible.
I think they’re trying to trade Bradberry but yeah, I would expect Martinez and Sherpard to be gone soon. Good players but health is a consideration.
Booker just got cut as well.
Bengals should sign the hometown guy and draft one in the 3rd. Let Uzomah walk
I’d keep Uzomah but Rudolph could be a good cheap signing that’s willing to take a home town discount aswell
Rudolph can always “go home again” (Vikings) if he’ll work cheap and accept being 2nd option at TE.
After Viking/Bear games Rudolph and Graham could swap tales of what it’s like being a dinosaur.
Horrible signing by The ex GM, Gettleman. Rudolph came in needing foot surgery and would miss all of training camp. Gettleman didn’t even recind or lower the offer as he said he “stuck by his word”. Now we have $2+million in dead cap space because of his word. Bad signing all around.
Pittsburgh could make sense. Ebron probably won’t be back, not that I’m totally opposed to it, however Rudolph would be a good backup, who still has some juice left, as well a good veteran to help with Pat F