Not saying that Kirk is currently or has been a top 4 or 5 QB in the league over the last three and a half seasons. Guys like Hurts, Tua, Rodgers, Lamar (or Brady ofc) have either not played well for stretches in that period or didn’t play long enough such that their performance just doesn’t match up, even if long-term they’re better QBs.

Between Kirk’s durability and his skill as a QB, the Vikings have experienced sustained excellence at the QB position over the last three and a half years (and you could probably argue even longer than that).

Since the start of the 2020 season, Kirk is:

• 4th in yards behind only Mahomes, Herbert, and Allen.
• 3rd in TDs behind only Mahomes and Allen.
• 1st in game winning drives.
• 1st in 4th quarter comebacks.
• 6th in yards per attempt among players playing more than 50% of games in that time.
• 5th in completion percentage among players who have played more than half of the games in that time.
• 8th highest (best) in attempts per INT among players who have played more than half of the games in that time.

It has been an absolute joy watching him sling it; he is flat out one of the best pure passers in football and is routinely making throws that only a handful of other guys in the league can make. His accuracy, touch, deep ball prowess, anticipation, and ability to withstand pressure have and will hopefully continue to be outstanding, whether it’s with the Vikings or elsewhere.

I am still in disbelief from yesterday. I’m arguably more devastated about that game potentially being Kirk’s last game as a Viking than the fact that this promising season is now chalked.

This can’t be how Kirk’s story with the team ends.