Guess who caught the last TD pass of Tom Brady’s career?

When NFL historians or anyone else uses rankings to determine, for example, who has the all-time fastest touchdowns or most sacks in NFL history, the regular season is used for the chart — and postseason is not included.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady retired Wednesday, ending a 23-year career filled to the gills with seven Super Bowl rings and heaps of “best-of-time” statistical accolades.

Guess who caught the last TD pass of Tom Brady’s career?

And as history flips back the final chapter of Brady’s career, people will find the tight end of the former Minnesota Vikings KyleRudolf caught Brady’s final touchdown of the regular season.

That’s right. In the Buccaneers Week 18 game at the Atlanta Falcons, Rudolph snagged an 8-yard pass out of the sky for Brady’s final paydirt.

Brady threw two touchdowns a week later in Tampa Bay’s wildcard round loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but these don’t generally get recorded on the Who Has Most All-Time leaderboards.

The Vikings drafted Rudolph in the 2nd round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and the Notre Dame graduate instantly became a purple and gold staple. He ranks first in Vikings history among tight ends in receiving touchdowns (48) and second in receiving yards (4,448). Rudolph left the Vikings in 2021 via free agency for a year-long pit stop with the New York Giants before joining Brady in Tampa for one last hooray. It’s unclear if Rudolph, 33, will retire this offseason like Brady.

Rudolph appeared on Fox News Channel America’s Newsroom Wednesday to commemorate Brady’s career: “When I came here this season I was certainly hoping to catch a lot more than a touchdown pass from Tom. But having his final touchdown pass of the regular season, being just a part of the 1/99th of guys he’s thrown touchdown passes to throughout his career, is very special.

“I was able to learn so much from him and his approach to the game and everyday life in general. It was an absolute honor for me. While things may not have gone as we planned this year, just to say that I got to play with him and take him to work was amazing,” added Rudolph.

The Vikings will play the Buccaneers at US Bank Stadium next season. Brady won’t be the team’s QB1, and Rudolph, a free agent, may or may not be on Tampa Bay’s depth chart. But he has the unique distinction of catching the GOAT’s final touchdown.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday Raun saw and Sal spice. His obsession with Vikings dates back to 1996. Listed Guilty Pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos’ and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.