Veteran players may feel the tightening of the expected wage cap falling in 2021 due to the still-violent COVID-19 pandemic.
One of these players is the tight end of Vikings Kyle Rudolph, who, based on decreased production, cracking and a high contract, is an excellent example of a player who could be excused and / or invited to have a heavy salary cut.
From Rudolph’s point of view, he deserves all the implications of his contract, telling the Unrestricted with Ben Leber podcast that “it’s worth every penny”.
“Obviously, I’m a realist. I see both sides,” said Rudolph, via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. “If I were [team owners] Wilfs, if I were [general manager] Rick [Spielman], I’m looking at this situation like, ‘Hey, we’re paying this guy a lot of money and you’re not using him, so why do we keep paying him a lot of money?’
“With that said, I think I’m worth every penny of my contract. That doesn’t mean I’m used to my potential and I’m used to doing what I do well, so it will be interesting for the next few months. As I said, I still have three years of contract. I don’t want to go anywhere else. Somehow, I became a pretty decent blocker because I was forced to. It certainly wasn’t something I’ve always done well at any point in my career. it was bigger than everyone else, but even so, I just wanted to run and catch balls. “
In 2019, the Vikings extended Rudolph’s contract to reduce the limit reached just two months after summoning Irv Smith Jr. in the second round. Rudolph has three years left on his contract. Its ceiling for 2020 is $ 9.45 million. Vikes would save $ 5.1 million in the limit by cutting TE with $ 4.35 million in dead money.
Unfortunately for Rudolph, the Vikings get $ 12.8 million above the salary cap projected for 2021, over the limit.
Rudolph generated just 28 receptions for 334 yards and a TD career drop in 12 games in 2020.
“At the beginning of last season, the writing was on the wall,” said Rudolph. “I saw where our attack was going. I had about seven or eight catches in the first six games. It was just absurd. I was literally blocking the whole time.”
Asked whether the Vikings approached him about a cut in pay, Rudolph was clear in his position on the matter.