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Apparently, the Buccaneers have taken “I’ve just played, and I’m serious” in response.
Veteran tight-fitting Kyle Rudolph has signed a one-year contract with the Buccaneers, according to ESPN.
Rudolph, who spent 10 years with the Vikings before a year with the Giants, becomes the veteran replacement for Rob Gronkowski, who has repeatedly said his career is over, even if his next ( including his agent and his girlfriend) no don’t buy it.
Twice Pro Bowler and captain of a 2017 Minnesota team that entered a Super Bowl game, Rudolph has 479 regular-season catches for 4,475 yards and 49 touchdowns. Its most productive year was 2016, with 83 catches for 840 yards. In his only season in New York, Rudolph had 26 receptions for 257 yards and one touchdown.
Veteran Cameron Brate is the expected starter, but Rudolph should have plenty of chances, especially with Gronk not coming back.
Rudolph, 32, joined the league in 2011, a year after Gronkowski. The terms of the deal, which have not yet been leaked, will go a long way in determining whether Rudolph is a lockout for the 53-man roster, or whether he will have to win a job in August.
Regardless, the move should be seen as one more proof that Gronkowski will not return to Tampa in 2022. It remains to be seen if he joins forces with Brady if / when Brady plays for another team in 2023.