Jacksonville Jaguars reportedly committed a trade with Houston Texans and sent veteran broad receives Christian Kirk to their AFC South rival.
Houston gets a 2026 seventh round election, originally belonging to Los Angeles Rams, in return for Kirk, according to Athletic.
The deal comes a day after news broke out that Jaguars planned to release Kirk, who missed the last nine games of the 2024 season due to a broken bone.
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Christian Kirk (13) from Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates a reception during the second quarter of a game against Houston Texans at NRG Stadium November 26, 2023 in Houston. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
This step would have saved Jacksonville $ 10.7 million against their wage state, according to Spotrac. The deal does the same while adding a draft choice.
Kirk should get the team’s highest Cap hit this season of $ 24.4 million while paying a salary of $ 15.5 million, according to Spotrac. But the new general manager James Gladstone, who took up the new Jags regime on February 21 to be paired with head coach Liam Coen, clearly shows that he is not afraid to make a move already, even with a divisional rival.
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Kirk quickly developed a report with Quarterback Trevor Lawrence after being signed for a four-year-old, $ 72 million deal in 2022, which recorded career heights in catches (84), Yards (1,108) and Touchdowns (Eight) in this campaign.
However, an abdominal injury cost him five matches in 2023, and his neck bone limited him to eight matches in the third year of his deal.
Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Myles Jack (51) tackles Jacksonville Jaguar’s wide receives Christian Kirk, Center, during the first half of a preseason game, August 20, 2022, in Jacksonville, FLA. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The emergence of rookie Brian Thomas Jr. As a clear top recipient to build the passport around, as well as Parker Washington, who plays well out of the castle in Kirk’s absence, Jaguars leaves in a good place despite a seven -year veteran moving to another team.
For the Texans, Kirk’s addition gives sense considering Tank Dell, their fast, young recipient, is likely to miss the entire 2025 season after tipping an ACL, MCL and LCL and dislocation of his knee cap in a game against Kansas City Chiefs in December.
Kirk could miss time because of his own improvement from his neck injury, but he is not expected to be out of the entire 2025 campaign.
The Texans could still add their passport games because Stefhe Diggs, who built great chemistry with quarterback CJ Stroud, before an injury ended his season, is a free agent on the market this season.
Christian Kirk from Jacksonville Jaguars scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium November 13, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
Through seven seasons, four with Arizona Cardinals, who took him 47. Collected in the NFL draft 2018, Kirk has 236 receptions for 2,902 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns in 56 career games.
