Rudolph: ‘There’s a Reason People Come Back to This Organization'

[Viktor]

EAGAN, Minn. – Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph is cashing in now (no pun intended) on advice he received eight years ago.


Rudolph, who has agreed to terms on a contract extension with Minnesota, spoke with Twin Cities media members Tuesday and recalled a conversation he had with Jim Kleinsasser in 2011. The Vikings had drafted Rudolph 43rd overall, and he joined a tight end group led by Kleinsasser, who played his 13th and final NFL season that year.


“He talked to me about how throughout his career, he had a couple opportunities to make more money elsewhere, but he stayed here – because of this organization and because of the state of Minnesota,” Rudolph said. “Now [entering my ninth season] and under contract through my 13th year, I hope I’m the same way.”


Rudolph felt strongly about remaining a Viking rather than playing through the final season on his previous contract and testing the market in 2020.


“I don’t care about that,” Rudolph said. “It’s about being here in the state of Minnesota, playing for this team, being in a color Purple that I love and am comfortable in, and having my family here in this community.”


Rudolph thanked the Wilf family, General Manager Rick Spielman, Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski and his agents for helping come up with a deal.


Asked if the Wilfs’ willingness to continue extending players demonstrated a “win-now” approach, Rudolph responded that it really isn’t out of character for how the owners have operated since day one.


“To me it just embodies the mentality of how much they care about winning, period,” Rudolph said. “They came to this organization a little over 12 years ago with one goal, and that was to win a championship.”


He later emphasized that the Wilfs, the Vikings front office and the coaching staff have set the tone with a philosophy that values the players and, in turn, fosters an environment that players don’t want to leave.


“There’s a reason why people come back to this organization,” Rudolph said. “There’s a reason why Anthony Barr left more money on the table; there’s a reason why I had no interest in testing free agency. It’s because of the culture that they’ve established around here, and culture is what ultimately brings championships.


“In this league, the talent level is so even across all 32 teams, and if you don’t have good culture, then you don’t have a chance,” he continued. “We have the culture here, and I’m really excited for this upcoming season.”


At 29 years old, Rudolph believes he has plenty left in the tank – and then some – to help Minnesota achieve that ultimate goal. He wants to be part of the first Super Bowl victory in Vikings history and said he’s ready to play a significant role in that pursuit.


According to Rudolph, he feels physically better now than he did early in his career.


“You just learn how to take care of your body,” Rudolph said. “You learn what your body needs throughout the course of the offseason to become a better football player but to also prepare yourself for that season, you learn week-by-week in-season what your body needs to be able to play on Sundays.


“I’m going to try to play as long as I can,” Rudolph added. “At this point, my focus is on becoming a better football player now, doing everything I can to help this offense get a little better and bring the first championship here to the state of Minnesota.”