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Kyle Rudolph hasn't put up the biggest numbers over the first three years of his career, which is due as much to the Minnesota Vikings' revolving door at quarterback as anything else. The Vikings have known all along what they have in Rudolph, a big, field-stretching tight end who can be a difference-maker in the right offense with the right quarterback. So now they're paying him like one.

Rudolph signed a five-year contract extension with the Vikings on Sunday night, a sign that the team has big plans for Rudolph in new offensive coordinator Norv Turner's offense. The deal, which was first reported by Fox Sports, is worth $36. 5 million with $19. 4 million guaranteed. Incentives can push the deal to $40 million.

''I'm very excited to get this extension done with Kyle, '' Vikings GM Rick Spielman said. ''We drafted him, he's done a tremendous job since he's been here. Our whole focus on moving forward in this organization is to draft our players, develop them and keep them here. He's one of our young guys who is going to be a building block as we go forward in the future and just very excited to get this behind us so we can look forward to seeing him produce over the coming years. ''.