As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers move on from Rob Gronkowski, the franchise has interest in the Minnesota Vikings‘ all-time touchdown leader for tight ends.
That’s two-time Pro Bowler and free agent Kyle Rudolph, whom ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported as a target for the Bucs on Thursday, July 14.
The Vikings also have interest in bringing back Rudolph after a year away with the New York Giants, Fowler wrote.
“This situation should crystallize some time before camps open,” Fowler wrote.
With Gronkowski clarifying on Tuesday, July 12, that he’s done for good, the Bucs have a huge void in experience at tight end to fill with Cameron Brate as the only experienced veteran on the roster.
Codey McElroy has three games of experience, and the rest of the Bucs tight ends just became pros this year.
Rudolph, 32, could help alleviate the void left by Gronkowski, especially if the former Notre Dame star can return to his better days as a Vikings.
He caught 39 passes for 367 yards and six touchdowns with the Vikings in 2019, but he had just 28 receptions for 334 yards and a touchdown in 2020.
He averages 9.9 yards per reception for his career, and he maintained last season despite a down year with the Giants.
Bucs quarterback Tom Brady would at least gain another experienced pass-catching threat to pair with Brate.
