The Minnesota Vikings and tight end Kyle Rudolph, 24, agreed to a contract extension on Sunday night. The contract locks up one of Minnesota’s core players for five years and is worth $35.5 million, which is also the minimum amount for that many years.
Rudolph’s new contract guarantees him $19.4 million along with a $6.5 million signing bonus, according to ESPN.
"I'm extremely excited to get this extension completed and continue my career with the Minnesota Vikings," Rudolph said in a statement. "I've said all along I wanted to stay in Minnesota. I love the fans, the community and, most importantly, I'm excited about where this team is going. I'm looking forward to the 2014 season and helping this organization reach our ultimate goal."
Rudolph caught 109 passes for 1,055 yards and 15 touchdowns in his three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings picked Rudolph in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame.
With his contract extension Rudolph becomes the fifth highest-paid tight end in the NFL, according to NBC Sports.