Christian Kirk, Houston Texans
Getty
Christian Kirk #13 of the Houston Texans runs after a catch against the Buffalo Bills.
The Houston Texans have now seen three major trades from the past two offseasons lead to disappointing results and/or short stints, with Christian Kirk’s exit in free agency the latest, potentially telling instance.
Kirk, like fellow offseason departee Joe Mixon, battled injuries during the 2025 campaign and took a while to make an impact on the field.
He stepped up when it mattered most, though, and now returns to his roots in the NFC West.
Texans Free Agent Christian Kirk Returns to NFC West
Christian Kirk, Houston Texans
GettyChristian Kirk #13 of the Houston Texans stiff arms Foye Oluokun #23 of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Texans acquired Kirk in an inter-divisional trade with the AFC South rival Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2025 offseason. He had 239 yards and 1 touchdown on 28 receptions during the regular season.
Kirk posted a 10-164-2 line in the Texans’ two postseason contests.
“Sources: The #49ers are signing WR Christian Kirk to a 1-year, $6M deal,” Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported on X on March 16. “Kirk is the latest WR addition in San Fran, after they also signed WR Mike Evans.”
A second-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, Kirk was on an expiring four-year, $72 million contract that the Texans inherited in the trade with the Jaguars.
He has $80.4 million in career earnings, per Spotrac.
Spotrac projected Kirk’s market value at a one-year, $5.3 million contract. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper projected a three-year, $24 million pact, a disparity that highlights his impact but also the inherent injury risk that he carries.
“Even if the stats do not show it, Kirk can still separate in the short and intermediate areas of the field with sharp route running,” Popper wrote in February, ranking Kirk 14th among receivers and 142nd overall among free agents. “He is at his best in the slot and should be able to carve out a role in that position in a good passing offense.”
Kirk exits with a 432-5,415-30 career line, and leaves behind another ominous outcome for the Texans.
Texans Trade Trend Looms Large
David Montgomery, Houston Texans
GettyDavid Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions jogs across the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills.
Along with Kirk, the Texans also acquired C.J. Gardner-Johnson in a trade last offseason, making a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. He lasted three weeks into the regular season before the Texans cut him.
The Texans acquired Mixon in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2025 offseason.
He played well in 2024, but missed 2026 due to an injury.
The Texans traded star left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders last offseason, too. They replaced him with 2026 second-round pick Aireontae Ersery, but also retooled most of the line for a second straight offseason, while Tunsil landed an extension in Washington.
Kirk’s tenure, along with those other moves, looms large amid the Texans’ trades sending out Tytus Howard and Juice Scruggs along the offensive line.
The Texans also acquired David Montgomery at running back in the Scruggs trade.
Christian Kirk’s Exit Good News for Young Texans
Christian Kirk, Houston Texans
GettyChristian Kirk #13 of the Houston Texans looks on before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Kirk was supposed to provide a safety valve for Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, but injuries limited him to 13 games (and three starts) during the 2025 regular season.
He answered the bell in the playoffs, but his exit looms large for 2025 third-round pick Jaylin Noel.
Noel operated as the Texans’ returner, but could be in line for an increased offensive role with Kirk officially out of the picture. He must still contend with WR1 Nico Collins as well as fellow second-year option Jayden Higgins and 2024 sixth-rounder Xavier Hutchinson for targets.
But Noel could be positioned to outpace his 26-292-2 rookie line.