Even though Christian Kirk was a mainstay of the offense since his arrival in 2022, the Jacksonville Jaguars cut ties with him in the offseason. Originally, they planned to release the veteran receiver but ultimately changed course and traded him to the rival Houston Texans.
After the 31-25 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Jags will next face Houston in Week 3. And based on Texans head coach DeMeco Ryan's latest remarks, it looks like they'll have a chance to show Kirk that they're better off without him.
Christian Kirk is trending toward facing the Jaguars in Week 3:
Heading into the game, DeMeco Ryans says, via Adam Wexler of SportsTalk 790, that he expects Christian Kirk and fellow receiver Brexton Barrios to suit up for the Week 3 divisional matchup.
Kirk was traded to Houston right around the start of free agency. He missed the preseason with a hamstring injury and has yet to play in the regular season.
A second-round pick in 2018, Kirk joined the Jags in 2022. The signing raised eyebrows because he got a top-market contract despite the fact that he had never reached the 1,000-yard mark in his career. It didn't take him long to repay Jacksonville's confidence, though, registering 84 receptions for 1,108 yards with eight touchdowns.
Kirk was having a similar kind of impact in 2023 but sustained a core injury in Week 13 that ended his season prematurely. Things didn't get much better last year, as he suffered a collarbone injury. Couple that with the fact that Scottdale, Arizona native wasn't much of a factor, and it's easy to see why Jacksonville traded him to the Texans. The move freed up around $10 million in cap space, which the team's brass used to address the large-scale roster.
The Jaguars are better off without Christian Kirk
Even though the Jaguars passing game is still a work in progress, they have the pieces in place to eventually put it all together and show that they don't miss Christian Kirk. Although Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter have been unremarkable to start the season, they're too talented not to make an impact. On the other hand, Dyami Brown and Parker Washington have stepped up when called upon.
Meanwhile, the Texans could use all the help they can get. They're currently in the midst of a funk, going 0-2 to start the season. While the defense has come through, their offense has left much to be desired. C.J. Stroud has been underwhelming, but it hasn't helped that Houston cannot protect him or open lanes in the running game.
This is a way to say that Texans' biggest issues are on the offensive line, and that won't change anytime soon. Having said that, they should be thrilled about having Christian Kirk and Brexton Barrios back in the fold.
But whether Christian Kirk plays or not, the Jaguars have a prime opportunity to bounce back from their loss to the Bengals and get back in the winning column when they face Houston in Week 3.
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