Christian Kirk will not be released after all. The Jaguars are moving on from the veteran wideout, but they will do so via trade instead. 
Kirk is heading to the Texans, as first reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Houston will send Jacksonville a 2026 seventh-round pick, she adds. Kirk will not hit the market as a result, and he will continue his career on a new AFC South team.
One year remains on the 28-year-old’s contract, a factor which helped inform the Jags’ decision to move on. This swap will generate $10.44MM in cap savings while incurring a dead money charge of $13.65MM. Kirk is owed a $15.5MM salary for 2025, but he could work out a new deal upon arrival in Houston.
The Texans entered 2024 with high expectations at the receiver position. Nico Collins, Tank Dell and trade acquisition Stefon Diggs figured to give the team one of the league’s top WR trios. Diggs suffered an ACL tear midway through the season and Dell later did the same, however. The latter’s availability for 2025 is in question.
Diggs is a pending free agent, so the chance of a departure on his part along with Dell’s injury status made the Texans a team to watch regarding a notable wideout addition. Prior to the Combine, it became clear Houston would be open to re-signing Diggs, but this move increasingly points toward him at least testing the market next week. In any case, Kirk will be tasked with operating as a strong complementary option to Collins in 2025.
After playing out his rookie contract with the Cardinals, Kirk inked a four-year pact to head to Jacksonville. The $18MM AAV of that deal raised many eyebrows at the time, but the receiver market has since seen two major spikes as the NFL’s salary cap continues to grow rapidly. If the former second-rounder aims to secure a raise with his new team, though, he could be hard-pressed in that effort.
Kirk logged a full season in 2022, but his Jaguars follow-up was limited to only 12 games. This past season, the Texas A&M product suffered a broken collarbone which sidelined him after eight contests. That injury left him off the midseason trade market, which was notable since the Steelers reportedly reached agreement on a swap prior to the injury. In the wake of the missed time, the Jags’ new regime will move in a different direction while looking to build a receiving corps around Trevor Lawrence.
That process will no doubt lean heavily on Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Brian Thomas Jr., but WR will be a position to watch for Jacksonville this offseason. A number of high-profile wideouts are on track to reach the market, including some veterans (Davante Adams, Tyler Lockett) who have recently been cut. Kirk will not be on that list, as his 2025 situation has already been determined.
Could be a very fun fit with Stroud as a secondary option to Collins (and hopefully a healthy Dell at some point). More importantly, it’s one less need they have to worry about feeling obligated to address in free agency or the draft.
The funniest story is jaguars over paid him so much him and his agent were . Lol funny
The funnier story is a number of Steelers on social media telling Kirk yesterday, “Welcome to the Steelers”
Amazingly, Rooney has adopted the Pittsburgh Pirates blueprints for “success”
Can he play O line?
No but that’s one more OL they can draft since he fills a different need
That’s what the draft is for. Good O-line depth in this class.
He can…just not very good.
Still need another 3 type receiver.
Depth was an issue last year with the loss of Collins Dell Diggs. Guys like Woods Metchie Hutchingson just weren’t cutting it
Rolling into the season with Collins Dell Kirk is nice but need someone like Slayton too
Probably not Dell
A 2026 7th round pick???
Kirk was great 2022-23
All they got was a 7th rd pick?
Dayum
And a 15.5 million salary. Unless they rework it.