There was a time about a month ago when the popular opinion was probably that Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph would play elsewhere beyond the 2019 season.

After signing a four-year, $32 million extension, Rudolph is now likely to spend his entire career with the Vikings, something that was the goal the whole time.

“We ultimately got accomplished what everyone wanted,” Rudolph said via the Star Tribune. “Our goal this whole time was to stay here, and now I’m excited to just be able to focus on football, and the whole reason I am here is to play my part in bringing the first championship to Minnesota.

The negotiation process can be a rocky one for players and teams, especially when it’s done mostly through the media like this one was.

Questions and doubt trickle in . . .

Are the Vikings better without Rudolph? . . . 

At the end of the day, the Vikings were better with Rudolph than without, and vice versa. That’s why this deal got done.

Now, Rudolph needs to prove his value, especially with second-round pick Irv Smith Jr. trying to find a role on this team.