INDIANAPOLIS – The New York Giants kick a tight end Kyle RudolphThe veteran announced Wednesday via social media.
“Certainly not the year any of us expected, but the year we will never forget,” Rudolph wrote in his post. “…Thank you to everyone in the building who greeted and helped this old man who needed to re-learn everything about a new institution.”
Rudolph has texted ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he is not retiring and that he intends to play next season.
Rudolph, 32, had only hit 26 for 257 yards with a touchdown in his only year with the Giants. It was one of the least productive seasons of a notable career, making two Pro Bowls with the Minnesota Vikings in 2012 and 17.
Thanks to everyone in the building who greeted and helped this old man who needed to re-learn everything about a new organization..Finally my teammates, in my 11 years in this league, I’m not sure I’ve been around a closer group of guys!
– Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph) March 2, 2022
His release was a fairly easy decision for the Giants and the new regime led by general manager Joe Shuen, who said on Tuesday that the team would have to make “difficult” decisions to step back from the salary cap.
Rudolph was due to count $7.4 million against the cap this year. The giants save $5 million with the move, even if it includes $2.4 million in dead money.
New York will need to address the aggravated final position in free agency and/or draft. Start Evan Ingram It is also set to be a free agent.
Rudolph’s signature was questioned from the start by former General Manager Dave Gittleman. After agreeing to the terms of a two-year, $12 million deal last season, it was discovered Rudolph would need surgery for a foot injury that limited him the previous season.
However, the Giants decided to honor the contract and Rudolph missed the entire spring and most of the summer. He never made it to his stride in New York as he appeared to lose a stride as he struggled to create the breakout — averaging just 2.9 yards per class, according to NextGen stats. He averaged 4.0 yards and 3.4 yards off the season in the previous two seasons.
Rudolph, who went to Notre Dame, had spent the previous ten seasons with the Vikings. Only his rookie season and 2014 – when he missed nearly half of the year due to injuries – was less productive than last season.
He has 479 catches for 4,745 yards and 49 touchdowns in his career.