Texans Get WR Help, Acquire Christian Kirk From Jags

The Houston Texans are trading for Jaguars WR Christian Kirk.

News of the deal broke on Thursday, just a day after reports of Jacksonville planning to release the veteran wideout. Instead, the Jaguars have found a trade partner in the receiver-needy Texans. Jacksonville will receive a seventh-round — originally belonging to the Rams — in return for Kirk.

One of the first tasks for first-year GM James Gladstone was to free up cap space. The Jaguars are middle-of-the-pack in that regard — a bad sign for a team coming off a dismal 4-13 campaign. Gladstone identified Kirk as a possible cut candidate.  Jacksonville’s passing game will center around breakout star WR Brian Thomas Jr. They also inked former Bills wideout Gabe Davis to a multi-year deal last offseason.

Kirk was entering the last year of the four-year, $72 million deal he signed in 2022. His projected usage in the offense wasn’t worth it at the lofty price tag. While the team planned on releasing Kirk, the Jaguars now get some minor draft pick compensation in addition to shedding salary.

On the other side, it’s a smart buy-low for a Texans team that needed to address the wide receiver position. Tank Dell recently had ACL surgery that will likely keep him out of the entire 2025 season. And, it’s unclear whether four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs sticks around. Both players’ seasons ended prematurely last season, leaving Nico Collins as the team’s lone reliable target.

Kirk, 28, has been banged up for the last two seasons but is a gifted route runner with reliable hands. He became more of an afterthought last year as Thomas Jr. ascended. In 2023, Kirk missed the last month of the season but from Week 2 to 11, he was on pace for 94 receptions and 1,278 yards on a 10-game sample size. 2022, his first year in Jacksonville, Kirk had his best season with 84 receptions for 1,108 yards and 8 TDs.

The Texans have to build around 23-year-old QB C.J. Stroud. The offensive line still needs work, but adding a proven pass catcher like Kirk will help the offense run more smoothly. Jacksonville will continue to revamp its roster. Hours after the trade was announced, it was reported the Jags would also be parting ways with TE Evan Engram. It’s rare to see division rivals agreeing to a trade. However, this is the type of deal that is beneficial for both sides.