Statistically speaking, Chris Kluwe is the best punter in Minnesota Vikings history, according to KFAN Vikings analyst Paul Allen.

Yet this weekend, the Vikings used a high draft pick — high for a punter anyway, a fifth rounder — to potentially replace Kluwe. The Vikings say this move is strictly about Mr. Kluwe’s on-the-field performance, and has nothing to do with any off-the-field issues.

As noted, Kluwe’s punting career statistics just don’t warrant a firing.  Moreover, Kluwe is not trending downward.  He is coming off his best statistical year of his eight year NFL career, averaging a net 39.7 yards per punt.

Still, Kluwe may be in trouble because of other non-performance issues:

It could be about money, as it so often is in the NFL.  After all, the Vikings replaced placekicker Ryan Longwell last year, in part because his veteran salary was higher than a rookie salary.  But remember, Longwell’s on-the-field statistics had also started to slip.  Longwell was becoming both expensive and mediocre.  If Longwell had been on top of his game, as Kluwe currently is, he likely would not have been replaced with a rookie.

This could be about age.  At 31-years old, Kluwe’s age clearly isn’t hurting his punting now, but it could be in the next five years.  So, the the theory goes, why not preemptively replace Kluwe, before age-related degradation of skills begins.  Then again, it isn’t unusual  for punters to remain viable in the NFL well into the second half of their thirties.    Of all the positions, punters and kickers have the longest careers.  And remember, Kluwe is a full six years younger than Longwell was when he was replaced by the Vikings.

Given all of that, I’m just not convinced this isn’t at least partially about something other than the usual reasons for getting rid of an NFL player — performance, age and money.

Mr. Kluwe, a libertarian, has been a highly visible champion for extending the freedom to marry to gay people.  That’s not the sole reason this highly accomplished professional is suddenly fighting for his job, but it, along with money, is part of the reason.

The NFL has a macho player culture.  It’s locker rooms are famously homophobic.  It also has a macho fan base, and team owners don’t like players sullying their brand with politically divisive issues — particularly, you know, THAT issue.  They especially don’t want to hear it from punters, the least macho position on the field.  Star running back Adrian Peterson could say virtually whatever he wanted about a political issue.  But a punter, come on?  Punters don’t sell a lot of tickets or jerseys for the owners.

Kluwe is the best punter in Vikings history, with good years of punting ahead of him.  But he is probably going to lose his job with the Vikings to an unproven NFL punter, unless the rookie  puts on a shank-fest during his tryout.  You can’t convince me that Mr. Kluwe’s gay rights advocacy doesn’t have something to do with that.

– Loveland

Note:  Photo from www.gaygamer.net.