Kyle Rudolph’s future with the Vikings — following the team’s second-round selection of Alabama tight end Irv Smith — remained in a state of limbo when organized team activities kicked off on Tuesday morning. Rudolph, nevertheless, boarded a 6 a.m. flight from New York to the Twin Cities so he could be there for the first 11-on-11 work of the offseason.
The 29-year-old is hoping to continue his career in Minnesota for many years more.
Rudolph said on Wednesday there is “validity” to last week’s Pro Football Talk report the Vikings have offered him a five-year contract extension that would make him one of the league’s highest-paid tight ends while providing relief to a cap-strapped team.