Former Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph Has a New Gig

Former Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph is moving up in the broadcasting world this fall. He's going to call select Big Ten games for NBC, according to The Athletic's Pete Sampson.

Rudolph, 33, hasn't officially retired from the NFL. He appeared in nine games with the Buccaneers last season but caught just three passes. Whether he attempts to play one more season or not, he's clearly looking ahead to the next phase of his career.

Rudolph has already gotten some broadcasting experience with NBC this year, calling USFL games and Notre Dame's spring game. Now he's onto bigger things, as he'll be calling Big Ten action on NBC and Peacock. Rudolph will be the color commentator on the network's B team.

According to Sampson's story, Rudolph's days at Notre Dame opened up this opportunity with NBC.

Rudolph, whose NBC connections began in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl as a five-star prospect, doesn’t hide from the fact that without Notre Dame, the doors at NBC wouldn’t have opened quite as wide, if they opened at all.

“One-hundred percent. It was without question the reason why,” Rudolph said. “I’m an anomaly, played 12 years in the NFL before starting my next chapter, but Notre Dame was still there opening doors and giving me opportunities.”

Drafted by the Vikings in the second round in 2011, Rudolph spent a decade in Minnesota before recent one-year stints with the Giants and Bucs. He's currently a free agent. Rudolph, who ranks sixth in Vikings history in receptions and receiving touchdowns, caught his 50th career TD pass last year with Tampa Bay.

Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all offseason long.

Subscribe to the Inside the Vikings newsletter

Follow Will Ragatz on Twitter