Could the Vikings ditch one of their longest-tenured players

with a year left on his contract after drafting his likely long-term replacement in round two?" />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteAcme Packing Companya Green Bay Packers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsPackersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShareTweetShareShareVikings TE Kyle Rudolph could be headed out of Minnesota after contract talks stallBrad Rempel-USA TODAY SportsA long-time starter for an NFC North team could be on the move soon. The Minnesota Vikings drafted Alabama tight end Irv Smith Za'Darius Smith Jersey White , Jr. in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft last month, raising questions about the status of veteran Kyle Rudolph. Rudolph, who is owed just over $7.6 million in 2019, has no remaining dead money on his contract and could therefore be cut without penalty should the Vikings choose to part ways. To this point, however, the team has seemingly expressed interest in signing him to a new contract extension, unloading some of this year’s cap money into the future by virtue of a signing bonus.However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that talks have stalled on Friday, raising the possibility of Rudolph leaving Minnesota via trade.A solid all-around tight end, Rudolph has consistently caught around two-thirds of his targets in the passing game while pitching in around 500 receiving yards per season. He also is a plus blocker Kyler Fackrell Jersey , providing additional value to teams that may be interested in acquiring him. However, any trade would likely come with a similar contract extension, as it is unlikely that other NFL teams would be interested in that same cap hit of more than $7.5 million.Rudolph has often been a thorn in the Packers’ side over the years. In 14 games against Green Bay over his eight-year career, Rudolph has better per-game receiving numbers in several notable categories compared to his career averages: 42 yards per game instead of 34, 11.1 yards per reception versus 9.8. Only his touchdown rate — 0.21 scores per game compared to 0.37 overall — is notably lower.Last year alone, Rudolph had a pair of seven-catch games against Green Bay, with more than 60 yards in each contest. His best game against the Packers actually came in a loss, however, when he hauled in 6 receptions for 106 yards and a score in a 30-13 loss at TCF Bank Stadium in 2015.If the Vikings do move on from Rudolph, it would pose some questions for the 2019 team at the tight end position. Famously Davante Adams Jersey White , tight ends rarely make a significant receiving impact as rookies, and the other tight ends on the roster not named Rudolph or Smith have a combined 23 NFL receptions. A free agent signing may be a necessity in that case, as names like Dion Sims, Lance Kendricks, and Levine Toilolo remain on the market. Week one feels like a distant memory. The upstart Bears knocked out the Packers’ star quarterback and held a comfortable lead coming out of halftime. But once Aaron Rodgers improbably re-entered the game (*insert Undertaker gif*),it felt like another instant classic comeback was a fait accompli. Fast forward to the teams’ second matchup of the season and things look much different. The Packers are flailing, having suffered a plethora of injuries, a string of befuddling losses, and firing their head coach. The Bears, on the other hand Clay Matthews Jersey White , have gained all the confidence they lacked in their week one collapse. They're playing championship defense and, perhaps most notably, are extremely healthy. But regardless of where these two teams are in their arcs, it all goes out the window when they play each other. Anything can happen, and it often does. To help us prepare for yet another round of the oldest rivalry in sports, we’re pleased to welcome Larry Dyer to the show. Larry hosts the Bears Talk Underground podcast, and offers a grounded fan’s perspective on his surprising Chicago Bears. Click here to access the episode at Art19.Have ideas or questions? You can email the show at theAPCpodcast@gmail.com. For previous episodes, check out the show’s archive over at Blog Talk Radio.Join the conversation on Twitter:the show: @theAPCPodAlex: @AlexPetakasZach: @ZachRapportBen: @BenFoldy