EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – After 10 seasons wearing Minnesota Vikings purple, Kyle Rudolph will need time adjusting to Giants blue.
"The hardest thing for me was to quit referring to the Vikings as 'we' and 'our'," Rudolph said on an introductory Zoom news conference soon after signing his contract. "I kept catching myself saying 'we' and 'our' and I was no longer a Minnesota Viking. I've actually done it a couple of times today as well."
He'll likely stop very soon, because Rudolph is clearly thrilled to join the Giants organization. Rudolph played his entire career for the Vikings until his release on March 2. He reached a contract agreement with the Giants 16 days later.
"It certainly was different being a free agent," Rudolph said. "But for me going through the free agency process, each and every day there were new updates, new teams, new opportunities. I remember telling my wife (Jordan) - we were sitting at lunch in Minnesota with our two-year-old son - and I just got off the phone with coach (Joe) Judge and coach (Jason) Garrett (the Giants' offensive coordinator) and at that point there were 12 or 13 different options and I knew New York was the place that I needed to be. This was the team, this was the organization that we needed to go to next. As soon as I hung up the phone, I knew that this was the perfect fit.
"There's a reason why I came here and one of the many reasons is the way this organization is run from the top down. I couldn't be more excited to be a New York Giant, to be a part of this team, a part of this locker room and be a part of this community."
The Giants have signed two-time Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph to a contract.
TE Kyle Rudolph
TE Kyle Rudolph
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) catches a pass in the fourth quarter during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 28-27. (AP Photo/David Berding)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Klye Rudolph runs with the football as he warms up against the Carolina Panthers during a week 12 NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won, 28-27. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) in action in the first quarter during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 28-27. (AP Photo/David Berding)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) is tackled by Carolina Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 in Chicago. The Vikings defeated the Bears 19-13. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 in Chicago. The Vikings defeated the Bears 19-13. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) gets away from Chicago Bears free safety Eddie Jackson (39) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 in Chicago. The Vikings defeated the Bears 19-13. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) readies for the play at the line of scrimmage in the first quarter during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 28-27. (AP Photo/David Berding)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 in Chicago. The Vikings defeated the Bears 19-13. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) stands on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 in Chicago. The Vikings defeated the Bears 19-13. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) warms up before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 in Chicago. The Vikings defeated the Bears 19-13. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs with the ball against Chicago Bears inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) carries the ball during a Week 6 NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, October 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Falcons won 40-23. (David Stluka via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) carries the ball during a Week 6 NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, October 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Falcons won 40-23. (David Stluka via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) gets gang tackled by Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) and a Lions teammate as he catches a first quarter pass for a gain of 22 yards and a first down at the Lions 32 yard line during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2020 in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Lions 34-20. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs up field after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) warms up before the start of an NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph warms up before the start of an NFL football against the Chicago Bears Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) carries the ball during a Week 3 NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, September 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Titans won 31-30. (David Stluka via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) catches a 3-yard touchdown pass ahead of Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Will Compton (53) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) gets set to go out for a pass during the game against the New Orleans Saints in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings defeated the Saints in overtime 26-20. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
A view of Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph's (82) helmet before the start of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Titans defeated the Vikings 31-30. (AP Photo/David Berding)
Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal (22) tries to break up a pass as Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) catches the ball during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs after a catch against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) talks on the sideline during the game against the New Orleans Saints in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings defeated the Saints in overtime 26-20. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore (23) knocks a pass away from Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) pulls in a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Demario Davis (56) tackles Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) gets set to go out for a pass during the game against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Vikings 27-10. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) pulls in the game winning touchdown pass over New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams (28) during overtime of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings won 26-20. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph, left, catches an 11-yard touchdown pass in front of San Francisco 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph in action during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs after the catch in front of New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Demario Davis (56) during in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. Minnesota won 26-20 in overtime. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Carson, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Carson, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) gets set to go out for a pass during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Carson, Calif. The Vikings defeated the Chargers 39-10. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) lines up for the snap during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings beat the Saints 26-20. (Matt Patterson via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) celebrates after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings defeated the Saints in overtime, 26-20. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs the football during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings defeated the Saints in overtime, 26-20. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) looks on during warmups prior to an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings defeated the Saints in overtime, 26-20. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs a route during in an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. Minnesota won 26-20 in overtime. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) gestures during in an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. Minnesota won 26-20 in overtime. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) pulls in the game winning catch over New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams (26) during overtime of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings beat the Saints 26-20. (Todd Rosenberg via the AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs the football during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings defeated the Saints in overtime, 26-20. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) pulls in the game winning catch over New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams (26) during overtime of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings beat the Saints 26-20. (Todd Rosenberg via the AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) looks down the sideline in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints 26-20 in overtime. (Todd Rosenberg via the AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings' Kyle Rudolph reaches to catch a pass for a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks' K.J. Wright (50) reaches out toward him during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph warms up before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) heads to the end zone on a 32-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown giving he Vikings a 26-24 lead during the fourth quarter of the NFL game against the Denver Broncos in Minneapolis, Sunday, Nov.17, 2019. (Eric Bakke via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs up field after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph catches a touchdown pass in action against the Dallas Cowboys during a NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. The Vikings won 28-24. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) heads to the bench area after a offensive series during the second half of the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington,Texas, Sunday, Nov.10, 2019. (Eric Bakke via AP)
Minnesota Vikings' Kyle Rudolph reaches to catch a pass for a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks' K.J. Wright (50) reaches out toward him during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Minnesota Vikings' Kyle Rudolph reaches to catch a pass for a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks' K.J. Wright (50) reaches toward him during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens (53) tackles Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) during an NFL regular season game on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2019 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 26-23. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) celebrates as he walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs after the catch during an NFL regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2019 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 26-23. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph catches a 32-yard touchdown pass in front of Denver Broncos strong safety Kareem Jackson (22) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) catches a pass for a 2-point conversion in front of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (24) during the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) makes a catch for at touchdown between Dallas Cowboys' Joe Thomas (48) and Sean Lee (50) during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs the ball after a catch during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, October 13, 2019 in Minneapolis. The Vikings beat the Eagles 38-20 (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) makes a catch during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 19-9. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs after the catch during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 38-20. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs after the catch during the NFL Pro Bowl football game on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018 in Orlando, Fla. The AFC team won 24-23. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 19-9. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) makes a touchdown catch against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland (21), safety Juan Thornhill (22) and linebacker Damien Wilson (54) during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs from Washington Redskins linebacker Montez Sweat, right, after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph, left, runs from Washington Redskins cornerback Quinton Dunbar, right, after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) is tackled against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
NFC tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) of the Minnesota Vikings, runs, during the second half of the NFL Pro Bowl football game against the AFC, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M Ebenhack)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs the football during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Vikings, 16-6. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs with a reception in action against the Green Bay Packers during a NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 24-17. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs from Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict after making a reception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs up field after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs into the end zone untouched for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs after making a reception against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph raises the ball after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs from Miami Dolphins defensive back Walt Aikens, left, after making a reception during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 41-17. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph pulls away from Detroit Lions defensive back DeShawn Shead (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) stiff arms Detroit Lions free safety Glover Quin (27) during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. (Rick Osentoski via AP Images)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph, defended by Detroit Lions defensive back DeShawn Shead (26), catches a 44-yard pass for a touchdown with no time on the clock during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph catches a pass over New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung during an NFL football game at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph catches a pass in front of New Orleans Saints linebacker Manti Te'o, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) sets up during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Jacob Gonzalez via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) is chased by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Bynes (57) as he catches a second quarter pass for a gain of 17 yards and a first down at the Arizona Cardinals 42 yard line with less than a minute on the block before halftime during the NFL week 6 regular season football game against the against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 in Minneapolis. The Vikings won the game 27-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Lucas Stevenson via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the 49ers, 24-16. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) blocks during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, Philadelphia. The Vikings defeated the Eagles 23-21. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph gets set for a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Minneapolis. The Saints won 30-20. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) makes a reception during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pa. The Eagles defeated the Vikings 21-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) lines up in a two-point stance during an NFL NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New Orleans Saints, January 14, 2018 in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Saints 29-24. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
NFC tight end Kyle Rudolph (82), of the Minnesota Vikings, runs after catching a pass in front of AFC linebacker Terrell Suggs (55), of the Baltimore Ravens, during the first half of NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. The AFC won 24-23. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Minnesota Vikings' Kyle Rudolph catches a touchdown pass during the first half of the NFL football NFC championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) catches a 1-yard pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Minnesota Vikings' Kyle Rudolph catches a touchdown pass during the first half of the NFL football NFC championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Deion Jones (45) tackles Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) pulls in a reception as Green Bay Packers free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph catches a pass as Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis (21) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) scores on a 22-yard touchdown reception ahead of Chicago Bears inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) scores in front of Jacksonville Jaguars strong safety Johnathan Cyprien on a 3-yard pass play during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph tries to break a tackle by Chicago Bears cornerback Tracy Porter, right, after making a reception during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) makes a catch past Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Mike Mitchell (23) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) leaps over Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs during an NFL NFC conference championship playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 38-7.
Minnesota Vikings' Kyle Rudolph (82) catches a touchdown pass over Carolina Panthers' Shaq Green-Thompson (54) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) heads downfield during an NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Vikings won the game, 29-24. (Greg Trott via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph plays against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) during an NFL regular season football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in Charlotte. The Panthers won, 31-24. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) catches the football during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, in Green Bay Wis. The Vikings won 16-0. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) catches the ball during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 29-24. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) during the NFL regular season football game against the Chicago Bears on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016 in Chicago. The Bears won, 20-10. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) goes out for a pass during the 2017 NFL week 10 regular season football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 in Landover, Md. The Vikings won the game 38-30. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Kyle Rudolph (82) catches a touchdown pass during the first quarter of the NFC Championship against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday Jan. 21, 2018, Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Vikings 38-7. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs after the catch in front of Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) and defensive tackle Terrell McClain (97) during an NFL football game on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Minneapolis. Dallas won 17-15. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs for yardage after a catch in action against the Carolina Panthers Sunday Dec. 10, 2017 in Charlotte, N.C. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph walks on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) catches a low pass during an NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Vikings won the game, 29-24. (Greg Trott via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) in action during the NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 21-10. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) during an NFL regular season football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in Charlotte. The Panthers won, 31-24. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Throughout his career, Rudolph has made a difference there and on the field. He is a two-time Pro Bowler and a three-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and Vikings Community Man of the Year.
Rudolph, 31, has been one of the NFL's most productive and consistent tight ends. His 48 touchdown catches and his 83 receptions in 2016 are the Minnesota career and single-season records, respectively, for his position.
Rudolph has played in 140 regular-season games with 132 starts and has started all six postseason games in which he played. Rudolph has 453 receptions for 4,488 yards in the regular season and 16 catches for 154 yards and two scores in the playoffs. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2012 (when he was the game's MVP) and 2017.
Last season, Rudolph played in the season's first 12 games and had 28 catches for 334 yards and one touchdown. Each figure was below his career norm, which Rudolph attributes to his increased use as a blocker.
"You can just look at my role and what I was asked to do," he said. "Turn on the tape and watch what I was doing. A silver lining to that is, you look at the first eight years of my career and I was really only known as a pass catcher. I've played with a couple of really good running backs in my time in Minnesota with Adrian Peterson and Dalvin Cook most recently. With my role changing over the last couple of years, it wasn't that I couldn't run around and catch balls anymore. I was just doing more of the blocking stuff.
"I'm extremely competitive and it forced me to go one of two ways. I could have either complained about it or I could have taken it as a challenge to improve that aspect of my game. It's funny going throughout the free agency process and getting feedback from teams and hearing how good of a blocker they thought I was. That was just so foreign to me because my whole life, blocking was something that I really had to work on and never did well. Over the last two years, I've been able to improve that aspect of my game and certainly looking forward to bringing that aspect of my game here to the New York Giants, now playing with another phenomenal running back in Saquon (Barkley)."
Rudolph expects to use both his receiving and blocking skills to help the Giants. And he is excited to team with Evan Engram to give the offense a pair of dangerous weapons at tight end.
"I'm looking forward to being able to bring both of those aspects," he said. "Being able to improve my run game, pass protection over the last couple of years but knowing that I could certainly still help a football team, whether it be on first down and second down, third down, in the red zone. I really look forward to working with Evan and I think we can complement each other very well. Obviously, he does things that I can't even imagine doing.
"Then you look throughout the rest of our room with Kaden (Smith) and Levine (Toilolo) and … we have four guys that can really go out and play at a high level. I think it allows your offense to really put defenses in tough situations when you can put multiple tight ends on the field. It really allows us to dictate how the game is going to go. I'm not even going to mention all the playmakers in the receiver room, there's just so many opportunities for this offense to go out and put pressure on defenses. I'm looking forward to being a part of it."
The 6-6, 265-pounder should provide a big boost – literally and figuratively – in the red zone, where the Giants' ranked 31st last season with a 46.3 touchdown percentage (19 touchdowns on 41 possessions inside the 20). That is an area where Rudolph has excelled throughout his career.
"The field is condensed, there are smaller windows, tighter throws, but I think one of the things that has helped me throughout my career is making contested catches," he said. "You're not going to get a guy to schematically come wide open in the end zone. You don't see it very often. From time to time you may, but most of the time red zone scoring is bang-bang passes and it takes trust from a quarterback – 'Hey, I can throw this ball into a tight window and I know that either Kyle is going to catch it or no one is going to catch it.' I really pride myself on when a quarterback believes in me and trusts me to throw a ball into a contested area that he knows either I'm going to get it, or nobody is going to get it. Hopefully, more times than not I'm getting it and we're scoring touchdowns."
Before that happens, Rudolph must undergo a procedure to repair a foot injury that forced him to miss the final four games of the 2019 season. Rudolph seems capable of dealing with anything from a positive perspective and this is no different.
"It's kind of a blessing that we're able to find this issue," he 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 and not … something that we deal with during the season. Like anything in life, I attack it head-on and I'll attack this rehab process head-on and I look forward to being out there with my teammates when we start playing football.
"Everyone expected it to heal on its own and it didn't. It needs to be fixed and like I said, I'm just extremely grateful for the Giants' medical staff, Dr. (Scott) Rodeo (the team physician), everyone that was involved in the process. I'm excited to get it fixed and move past it."
