Report: Former Notre Dame star Kyle Rudolph to sign with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kyle Rudolph is on the move again. The former Notre Dame star is now going to link up with the best.

Rudolph is signing a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’ll try to help replace Rob Gronkowski as a top target for Tom Brady after he announced his second retirement from the NFL earlier this offseason.

The funny part about the signing is that Rudolph will now connect with Brady, a Michigan alumnus. That’s why Schefter followed up his report with a note about the rivalry.

“Kyle Rudolph chose to play in Tampa despite the fact that former Michigan QB Tom Brady told his new tight end that he can’t be his first read because he went to Notre Dame,” Schefter tweeted.

Rudolph played at Notre Dame from 2008-10 before heading to the Minnesota Vikings as the No. 43 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. During his time in South Bend, he totaled 90 receptions, 1,032 yards and eight touchdowns.

He played for the Vikings until 2021 when he headed to the New York Giants for one season. For his career, he has 4,745 yards and 49 touchdowns in 11 NFL seasons.

Tampa Bay went 13-4 last season and fell to the eventually Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round. But the organization underwent some major changes this offseason, notably after head coach Bruce Arians stepped away. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is taking over for him as the headman as part of the succession plan.

Brady also announced his retirement, but ended up coming back to the Buccaneers after 40 days away from the game. He also agreed to a deal with FOX Sports for the day he — eventually? — retires from football to become the network’s lead analyst alongside Kevin Burkhardt.