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Kyle Rudolph would give the KC Chiefs a one-two punch at tight end

By Leigh Oleszczak

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings makes a touchdown pass reception against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings makes a touchdown pass reception against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Kyle Rudolph is a free agent and while it’s probably not realistic, it’d be fun to see him with the KC Chiefs. 

This offseason is going to be interesting, as big names are being released from teams they’ve played with for close to or over a decade. Kyle Rudolph found himself in that category, as he was released by the Minnesota Vikings after spending 10 years with them. Now, he’s an intriguing option for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs don’t need a starting tight end. They’re fortunate to have the best tight end in the entire league in Travis Kelce, but Kansas City has had a really tough time finding a suitable backup at the position. They’ve tried putting names like Demetrius Harris, Blake Bell, and Ricky Seals-Jones behind Kelce, but none have panned out.

Rudolph isn’t the same player he was at the beginning of his career, but the Chiefs don’t need him to be. If he could replicate his numbers from recent seasons, that’d be the best backup tight end the team has had since Anthony Fasano last played in Kansas City, which was 2014.

Last season saw Rudolph catch 28 balls for 334 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs’ three tight end options not named Kelce had just 99 yards and no touchdowns, so Rudolph would most definitely be an upgrade.

Kyle Rudolph might not be willing to take a backup role, but if he is, the KC Chiefs would be the perfect landing spot.

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At this point in his career, Rudolph will want to be realistic. His numbers haven’t been great these past two years and it’s not because of injuries. He missed four games in 2020 but started all 16 between 2015-2019. He could still be a decent starter with the right team but at 31 years old, this is the time for him to sign with a Super Bowl and “ring chase”.

Rudolph coming to Kansas City would be great for multiple reasons. For one, it’d give the team one of the best tight end tandems in the league. Second, if Kelce were to get injured (knock on wood), then Rudolph would be a much better option to start in his place instead of say, Nick Keizer or Deon Yelder.

As far as if Rudolph would be willing to come to Kansas City, he’d have to be okay with taking less money to serve as a backup, but if he decides that’s okay, he’d have a good chance to make it to a Super Bowl with the Chiefs. Rudolph has played in an NFC Championship Game with the Vikings but hasn’t made it to a Super Bowl during his decade-long career.

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He’d be a really great fit for this team and would give the Kansas City Chiefs a true backup tight end option.

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