INDIANAPOLIS – New York Giants release secret end Kyle Rudolph, the veteran announced on social media on Wednesday.
“It is certainly not the year that any of us expected, but a year that we will never forget,” Rudolf wrote in his publications. “… Thanks to everyone in the building who welcomed and helped this old man who had to learn everything again about a new organization.”
Rudolph has sent a message to ESPN’s Adam Shefter that he is not retiring and intends to play next season.
The 32-year-old Rudolph made just 26 catches in 257 yards with a touchdown in his only year with the Giants. It was one of the least productive seasons of his career, in which he made two Pro Bowls with the Minnesota Vikings in 2012 and ’17.
Thanks to everyone in the building who accepted and helped this old man who had to learn everything about the new organization. Finally, my teammates, in my 11 years in this league, I’m not sure I’ve been around a closer group of boys!
– Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph) March 2, 2022
His release was a fairly easy decision for the Giants and a new regime led by general manager Joe Schoen, who said on Tuesday that the team would have to make “difficult” decisions to go below the pay ceiling.
Rudolph had to count $ 7.4 million against the limit this year. The Giants save $ 5 million with this move, even if it includes $ 2.4 million of dead money.
New York will have to deal with the limited position in the free agency and / or project. Evan Engram is also scheduled to be a free agent.
Rudolf’s signing has been in question from the start by former general manager Dave Gettleman. After agreeing to a two-year deal worth $ 12 million last offseason, it was revealed that Rudolph would need surgery for a leg injury that limited him last season.
However, the Giants decided to abide by the contract and Rudolf missed the whole spring and most of the summer. He never made it to New York, as he seems to have lost a step while struggling to create a split – an average of just 2.9 yards per split, according to NextGen statistics. He averaged 4.0 yards and 3.4 yards away in the previous two seasons.
Rudolph, who went to Notre Dame, had spent the previous 10 seasons with the Vikings. Only his new season and 2014 – when he missed almost half a year due to injuries – was less productive than last season.
He has 479 catches for 4745 yards and 49 touchdowns in his professional career.