The Giants are parting ways with Kyle Rudolph. After just one year in New York, the G-Men are releasing the tight end, according to Rudolph himself.
“Fans, thanks for taking me and my family in this past year!,” Rudolph tweeted. “Certainly not the year any of us expected, but a year we will never forget. We’re appreciative of the Mara and Tisch families for giving us the opportunity to be [Giants]….Thanks to everyone in the building who took in and helped this old guy who needed to relearn everything about a new organization. And, finally my teammates. In my eleven years in this league, I’m not sure I’ve been around a closer group of guys!”
The veteran also said that he’s “looking forward to what’s next,” a possible indication that he’ll continue his career elsewhere. The Giants inked Rudolph to a two-year, $12M deal in March of 2021. By releasing him, they’ll save $5M in cap space while eating $2.41M in dead money.
Rudolph had 26 catches for 357 yards and one touchdown in his lone Giants season. That was roughly in line with his 2020 Vikings numbers, though he played in just 12 games that year versus 16 this past season.
While he’s never been a star, Rudolph has been a reliable option throughout much of his career. He also secured Pro Bowl selections twice, in 2012 and 2017. Despite the down years, it won’t be hard for Rudolph to find work elsewhere. The Giants, meanwhile, will evaluate their own TE group as Evan Engram inches towards free agency.
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