Rudolph confirmed he's been offered a five-year extension, Chris Tomasson of The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Any extension would lower Rudolph's $7.625 million cap hit, freeing up some much-needed space for the Vikings. Rumors of a potential trade or release gained steam after the team drafted Irv Smith Jr. at No. 50 overall, though history suggests it isn't wise to count on major contributions from a rookie tight end. Rudolph is participating in voluntary OTA practices and remains optimistic an agreement will be reached before training camp, but he did mention that he's been informed of other teams having interest in a trade.

Rudolph said his agent is still working with Vikings GM Rick Spielman to find a resolution for the tight end's contract situation, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Vikings have less than $1 million in cap space and recently used the 50th overall pick in the 2019 draft on tight end Irv Smith Jr. There's been talk of the team using more two-TE formations to accommodate its new addition, but the other options are to trade or release Rudolph, who is scheduled for a non-guaranteed $7.625 million cap hit in the final season of a five-year contract. The 29-year-old presumably was hoping to sign an extension that reduces his 2019 cap charge, while the Vikings likely are angling for an outright pay cut. The team would be taking a major risk if it entrusted Smith with the starting job, as the learning curve at tight end is notoriously difficult for young players. Evan Engram and John Carlson were the only rookie tight ends to reach 600 yards in the past 15 seasons.

Contract negotiations between Rudolph and the Vikings have stalled and were tabled Friday, Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

When the Vikings drafted Irv Smith in the second round of the draft, it was originally thought that Minnesota was likely to move on from Rudolph. There was then some belief that offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski - who frequently uses two-tight end sets - could find a way to use both tight ends effectively, since they both possess unique skill sets. This report of tabled contract negotiations supports the original claim that the Vikings are prepared to move on from the Notre Dame product if need be. It seems that Rudolph can either take a discount to stay in Minnesota or roll the dice via being traded or released by the Vikings - the problem stems from the fact that the team has the least amount of salary cap space ($765,473) in the league. At this point, Rudolph's fantasy value would likely have a higher ceiling if he found another offense where he could be the primary tight end and red-zone target.

Minnesota GM Rick Spielman said the Vikings plans to utilize both Rudolph and 2019 second-round pick Irv Smith in the offense, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports. However, Spielman wouldn't comment on Rudolph's long-term future and Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com reports the Vikings are open to trading Rudolph but not actively shopping him.

EDGE Analysis

Rudolph and Smith are different types of tight ends and offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski frequently uses two-tight end sets. It's possible the two could be utilized with Smith moving around and as a middle-of-the field target with Rudolph adding more blocking and red zone ability. However, Rudolph's $7.625 million cap hit and the fact he's in the last year of his contract would make it appear he's a candidate to be traded or released by the cap-challenged Vikings. At a minimum, Rudolph's fantasy value likely takes a hit if he stays with Minnesota since Smith is likely to take away some targets.

Rudolph's agent denied a report that the Vikings have asked the tight end to accept a pay cut, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Entering the final season of a five-year, $36.5 million extension, Rudolph is scheduled for a $7.625 million cap hit that can be completely wiped off the books if he's released, per overthecap.com. Of course, the aforementioned figure is quite reasonable for a player that started 16 games each of the past four seasons, averaging 63 catches for 625 yards and six touchdowns in that span. It could even be argued that Rudolph is a slight bargain, given the contracts signed by the likes of Trey Burton and Cameron Brate last offseason. The Vikings may end up offering a contract extension to reduce Rudolph's 2019 cap hit without negatively impacting his bottom line.

Rudolph caught four of five targets for 19 yards during Sunday's loss to the Bears.

EDGE Analysis

Like every other Vikings receiver, Rudolph was blanketed against a Bears defense that allowed the seventh-lowest passing yards per game (219.7) in 2018 -- not to mention the sixth-fewest yards (42.7) to tight ends. The eight-year veteran consequently finishes the year with 634 receiving yards and four touchdowns over 16 games -- though he would have set three-year lows across the board had he not had a monster 122-yard, two-touchdown game in Week 16 that was buoyed by a lucky catch on a hail mary. Rudolph remains under contract through the 2019 campaign and should return in 2019 as a middling fantasy option at tight end.

Rudolph caught all nine of his targets for 122 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 27-9 win over Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

Rudolph was able to pluck the ball at its high point and come down with a 44-yard Hail Mary to end the first half. He got his second touchdown of the afternoon on a four-yard catch with 13:25 remaining. Owners who looked the red-zone reindeer's way even though he had just two touchdowns all season coming in -- and none since Week 3 -- were rewarded with an early Christmas present from the tight end. Rudolph will look to carry over the momentum from this performance to the Week 17 regular-season finale against Chicago.

Rudolph recorded three receptions for 23 yards across 51 offensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Dolphins.

EDGE Analysis

Rudolph continues to see limited targets this season as he now has just eight receptions for 68 yards over the past three games. It could be more of the same for the veteran next week against the Lions -- who have only allowed five touchdowns from tight ends all season.

Rudolph caught two of five targets for seven yards in Monday night's 21-7 loss to the Seahawks.

EDGE Analysis

Rudolph has seen his role within Minnesota's offense decline this season, but Monday marked a new low for the tight end. It was the first time he's failed to top 10 yards this year, but in his defense, the Vikings offense as a whole did very little prior to its final drive. Regardless, the veteran will be eager to improve in Week 15 versus the Dolphins.

Rudolph had three receptions for 38 yards on three targets in Sunday's loss at New England.

EDGE Analysis

So much for the idea that he'd become a bigger part of the passing offense after last week's season-high seven targets as Rudolph wasn't a big factor even with the Vikings playing from behind most of the game. His weekly fantasy upside still seems to hinge on whether he reaches the end zone.