In a surprising turn of events, Christian Kirk will not be released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Instead, the team has decided to move forward with a trade, sending the veteran wide receiver to the Houston Texans. This development was first reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
As part of the trade agreement, Houston will provide Jacksonville with a 2026 seventh-round pick. This decision means that Kirk will not enter the free-agent market, allowing him to continue his career within the same division, the AFC South. The 28-year-old wideout has one year remaining on his contract, which played a significant role in the Jags' decision to move him.
This strategic swap is expected to generate approximately $10.44 million in cap savings for the Jaguars, although it will incur a dead money charge of $13.65 million. Kirk is slated to earn a salary of $15.5 million in 2025, but upon his arrival in Houston, there is potential for him to negotiate a new deal.
The Texans entered the 2024 season with lofty expectations for their receiving corps. With players like Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and newly acquired Stefon Diggs, Houston aimed to establish one of the top wide receiver trios in the league. However, the situation took a turn when Diggs suffered an ACL tear midway through the season, and Dell followed suit with a similar injury. This raises questions about Dell's availability for the 2025 season and Diggs' status as a pending free agent.
The uncertainty surrounding Diggs and Dell's injuries heightened the Texans' need for a reliable wideout, making Kirk's addition a timely move. While discussions about re-signing Diggs were ongoing prior to the Combine, the recent trade indicates that he may explore his options in free agency next week.
With the trade finalized, Kirk is expected to serve as a strong complementary option alongside Collins in 2025. After spending his rookie contract with the Arizona Cardinals, Kirk signed a four-year agreement with Jacksonville, which carried an average annual value of $18 million. While this contract raised eyebrows initially, the wide receiver market has seen significant increases as the NFL's salary cap continues to expand.
Though Kirk is looking to secure a raise with his new team, he may face challenges in doing so. His performance has been impacted by injuries, including a broken collarbone that limited him to only 12 games last season. This injury prevented him from being part of the midseason trade discussions, despite reported agreements with teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to his injury.
As the Jaguars pivot to a new direction with their receiving corps, they are focused on building around quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The new regime will be heavily reliant on Brian Thomas Jr., a finalist for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, as they look to enhance their wide receiver options this offseason. With several high-profile wideouts, including veterans like Davante Adams and Tyler Lockett, set to hit the market, the Jaguars will be active in their pursuit of talent.
With Kirk’s future already determined, he will not be among the names available when free agency opens. Instead, he embarks on a new journey with the Texans, where he hopes to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.
