Kendricks Restructures, Bradbury Signs, Rudolph Stays?

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If you haven’t heard, Eric Kendricks has restructured his contract. He agreed to turn part of his base salary into a signing bonus, freeing up roughly 1.72 million in cap space. With that “courageous” move by Kendricks, the Vikings were able to sign their first round pick and the future of the “Minnesota moving company” (1st rd draft pick Garrett Bradbury).

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At the beginning of the day on Tuesday, the Vikings had about $660,000 in cap space. After freeing up $1.72 million from Kendricks, available cap space jumped to just under $2.34 million. The cap hit on Bradbury?…. $2.33 million-ish. So that leaves us with about enough money for a tank of gas and a pack of smokes (smokes are pushing it with today’s taxes). But hey, another day has passed and the likelihood of the Vikings roster staying intact, continues to look brighter and brighter.

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There are two clear narratives, with this Vikings team.

Number one, the Vikings players are all in. So, maybe Kendricks isn’t quite the hero many thought he was when this news first dropped. However, Everson took a pay cut to stay, Barr turned down a bigger contract offered by the Jets, and (don’t kill me) Cousins turned down even BIGGER money (again offered by the Jets) to sign with the Vikings. If all of that doesn’t happen, we are never in this position.

Second, Kyle Rudolph might actually be safe. I’ll admit, when the Vikings drafted TE Irv Smith Jr, I thought Rudolph was a goner for sure. But when he wasn’t traded over draft weekend, things got a little interesting. Once trade rumors circled, Rick and Zim both came out saying they were working on mapping out game plans to feature both pass catching tight ends. Anywhere you have looked across Vikings media, writers/insiders have called bullshit and have sticked to the notion that Kyle is on his way out. Then all of a sudden, Rob Brzynski and the Wilf’s step in with big “S'” on their chests and $100 bills flapping in the wind…. saving the day for the Vikings.

Honestly, I think the Rudy trade/cut talk is dead for good. If Rick was going to deal Rudolph, he wouldn’t have approached Kendricks for help. Trading Rudolph for a 4-5 round pick would have been the more logical route, freeing up over 7 million in cap space. This doesn’t mean Rick & Co. are done with moves. Expect another roster move/moves or the restructure of another contract to free up cap space. It’ll still likely include Rudolph taking a small cut or restructure himself. But don’t expect Kyle to be going anywhere anytime soon. Get comfortable in Minnesota son. Don’t sell your house yet.

Minnesota Vikings fans, get pumped to see a nasty TE duo to match that already top notch WR duo.

Ooofta.

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Clem Clemans | Minnesota Sports Fan

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