Dear Kirk,

First off, congratulations on your “promotion” to becoming the highest paid-player in NFL history. After being drafted with the 102nd pick in the fourth round of the 2012 draft, the future was bright for you in Washington D.C. Passing for over 4,000 yards each of the last three seasons is a remarkable accomplishment, especially in an offense that continually struggled to stay healthy. Now entering the prime years of your career, it was time for a change of scenery, preferably one that provided you with an opportunity to advance far in the playoffs, something you failed to do while in our nation’s capital. You’ve been around the league long enough to know how desperate some teams are to find a reliable quarterback. They’ll do whatever it takes to get you to come play for them. A fully guaranteed contract for multiple seasons? All yours. But in reality, only one franchise was able to strike a deal that suited your aspirations. You made one visit, and signed the contract immediately, securing your payday. Unfortunately Kirk, you made the wrong decision.

Do you know how cold Minnesota is? No really, temperature on Superbowl Sunday this past year was at minus 6 with the wind-chill factor. Yes, New York has its ups and downs, but I’d honestly rather suffer a few days a year with freezing conditions than contract pneumonia by standing outside U.S. Bank Stadium for five minutes. Also, New York has far better nicknames. Are you really choosing The Gopher State over The Capital of the World? The Empire State? The Big Apple? Another benefit you could’ve reaped from New York is its huge market and exposure. Just think, you wouldn’t have to constantly sell t-shirts on your website “Buy one, get one half off” if you came to the Jets. Those things would be flying off the shelves so fast, you could actually sell at full price! Plus, what type of chant is SKOL? I prefer the classic J-E-T-S. Jets, Jets, Jets and I think you would’ve too.

If your intentions were to go win a Superbowl right away, I get it. The Vikings were close last year and fell one game short. But who’s to say you wouldn’t put the Jets in the very same category? Year after year, teams in this league come out of nowhere to become legitimate, Super Bowl contenders. We have the most cap space in the league by far and a plethora of young talent already on the roster. The offensive line and secondary will be addressed in the draft, but all the other pieces were there.

Your contract is basically finalized and it’s tough to get you to change your mind, but you made a mistake. The Meadowlands was supposed to be your home. You were the chosen one who would lead our disappointing franchise to its second, third, and fourth Lombardi trophies. When a player succeeds in New York, he is on top of the world.

As you purchase a new home in Minneapolis and prepare to move your family, just remember, there’s no turning back. You are now a member of the Minnesota Vikings and passed up the opportunity of a lifetime: being the quarterback for the New York Jets.

Best of luck (you’re going to need it).

Shane Palma

FPM Shield Sports Editor

Proud New York Jets Fan