LOOK: Former Notre Dame star tight end pens classy statement after Giants release
The New York Giants are moving on from tight end Kyle Rudolph. After signing the former Notre Dame star last offseason, the team came to a swift divorce with Rudolph in New York.
On Wednesday, Rudolph — a two-time Pro Bowl selection — took to Twitter to release a classy statement regarding his release.
“@Giants Fans thanks for taking me and my family in this past year!” started Rudolph. “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 a Giant.
“Thanks to everyone in the building who took in and helped this old guy who needed to relearn everything about a new organization. Finally my teammates, in my 11 years in this league I’m not sure I’ve been around a closer group of guys!”
Continuing, Rudolph recognizes that the Giants didn’t reach the heights they expected in Rudolph’s lone season with the organization. Still, the former Notre Dame and Minnesota Vikings tight end is looking forward to the future.
“We may not have got the results we deserved, but that didn’t keep us from going to work together everyday!” stated Rudolph. “Looking forward to what’s next!!”
Last season with the Giants, Kyle Rudolph caught 26 passes for 257 yards and one touchdown. Moving forward, it’ll be interesting to see which team takes a shot of Rudolph’s veteran presence and innate red-zone ability.
One things for sure, he wants to play — as Rudolph texted ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he’s not considering retirement at this time.
“Tight end Kyle Rudolph, whom the Giants have cut, texted this morning that he is not retiring and he does intend to continue playing,” revealed Schefter.
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Moreover, Kyle Rudolph is the first in what’s expected to be an exodus of Giants players. The franchise is under new leadership with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, and the turnover is expected to be high.
At the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, Schoen spoke about transforming the Giants roster this offseason.
“We’re still working through that, but I’m open to everything,” Schoen said, via Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. “Like whether it’s trading player for player; I’ll listen to anybody. If it’s trading a couple players — I’m not going to say the entire roster, [that] we’re open for business on the entire roster. But if anyone is going to call and they’re interested in any of our players. I’m certainly going to listen.”
Schoen was hired this offseason after spending the past five years as the assistant general manager of the Buffalo Bills. He brought Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll along with him to be the team’s next head coach.
The young GM inherits a difficult salary cap situation, which could be a key factor in a potential trade of Saquon Barkley. The Giants are currently estimated at more than $11 million over the cap, according to ESPN’s roster management system. They will have to shed excess weight by cutting or trading some quality players.
“We’re in a situation where unfortunately we have to get under the salary cap,” Schoen said. “We’re not in very good salary-cap health. Again, I’m not going to say yes to every deal, but I’m definitely going to listen and be open to the situations that are best for the New York Giants.”
As you can see, the process has begun — and Kyle Rudolph is the first victim of Joe Schoen’s roster rebuild in New York.