Giants, TE Rudolph finalize contract after medical concerns
A potential snag in the Giants’ signing of free agent tight end Kyle Rudolph was quickly resolved.
According to NFL Network, the Giants’ medical staff became concerned during a physical on Tuesday that Rudolph would need foot surgery. At that point, the two sides had only agreed in principle on a twoyear, $12 million contract, so the deal was in jeopardy.
Rudolph officially signed his contract Wednesday under the original terms after agreeing to undergo surgery with the intention of being ready for Week 1 of the 2021 season, per NFL Network.
Rudolph, 31, sat out the last month of the 2020 season after suffering a foot injury with the Minnesota Vikings that evidently lingered into the offseason.
“It’s kind of a blessing that we’re able to find this issue,” Rudolph said. “It was an issue from the season, we can fix it in March and I won’t miss any football. I’m extremely excited to be a New York Giant, and I feel like it’s a blessing that I’m able to deal with it now in March.”
Rudolph, a two-time Pro Bowler, spent the first 10 seasons of his career in Minnesota. Among all tight ends since 2011, he ranks second in games started, eighth in receptions, 11th in receiving yards and third in receiving touchdowns.
Durability has rarely never been an issue for Rudolph as he played in 93 consecutive games prior to the foot injury.
At 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, Rudolph should be an effective complement to speedy tight end Evan Engram in coordinator Jason Garrett’s offense. His primary value should come in the red zone and on curl routes as he’s known for having excellent hands. He’s also a much more effective in-line blocker than
Engram, so Garrett can get creative with two-tight end sets.
“I’m looking forward to being able to bring both of those aspects (catch and block),” Rudolph said. “Being able to improve my run game, pass protection over the last couple years, but knowing that I can certainly still help a football team (as a receiver) whether it be on first and second down, third downs, in the red zone. And I really look forward to working with Evan. I think we can complement each other very, very well.”
Salary Cap Check
After shelling out $172 million in contracts to Leonard Williams, Kenny Golladay and Adoree’ Jackson over the past week, the Giants are unlikely to make more moves in free agency aside from marginal depth signings.
According to ESPN, the Giants recently cleared $7.5 million in cap space by converting the base salaries of cornerback James Bradberry and linebacker Blake Martinez into signing bonuses.
Those accounting measures were likely taken to fit Jackson under the cap, as according to Over Cap, the Giants came into Wednesday with only $3.9 million in cap space. But that number didn’t include Jackson’s contract, which is expected to be the range of a $7 million cap hit next season, or defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo’s oneyear, $2.5 million deal.
In other words, the Giants essentially have no room left for any big signings. They could also restructure contracts with safety Logan Ryan and wide receiver Sterling Shepard, but keep in mind they’ll need to carry at least $4.1 million in cap space just to sign their upcoming draft class.
A restructured contract has no downside for a player since they don’t lose any money. They actually pocket it faster as a lump sum rather than weekly paychecks during the season.
The Giants, though, face larger cap hits for those players in future seasons because they are converting their base salaries into bonuses that are then prorated over the remaining years in those contracts. But those cap hits shouldn’t too difficult to stomach next year since the salary cap is expected to rebound from COVID-19.
If the Giants do go bargain hunting for veterans in the latter stages of free agency, arguably their biggest needs are offensive and defensive linemen.
Five-time Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner is the most enticing option, but he may be out of the Giants’ price range depending on how his market
develops.
On defense, the Giants’ only edge rusher signings have been Odenigbo, who had 10.5 sacks from 201920 with Minnesota, and Alabama product Ryan Anderson (also a one-year deal).
Outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell remains unsigned after giving the Giants four sacks in 12 games last season. He would be another cheap option who knows coordinator Patrick Graham’s system well.
The Giants also need defensive tackle depth after letting Dalvin Tomlinson leave in free agency. Available options include Kawann Short, Lawrence Guy and Danny Shelton.