Christian Kirk, Houston Texans
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Christian Kirk #13 of the Houston Texans carries the ball as Carlton Davis III #7 of the New England Patriots defends during the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
After signing future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans in the early window of free agency, the San Francisco 49ers are apparently not done adding help at that position. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the team is signing 29-year-old wide receiver Christian Kirk to a one-year deal worth $6 million. After spending 2025 with DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans, Kirk now heads to the Bay Area.
Christian Kirk Gives San Francisco 49ers a Deep Threat
Christian Kirk
GettyChristian Kirk was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round back in 2018 out of Texas A&M.
If 49ers fans thought that Evans would be the final veteran addition to the wide receiver room this offseason, they were wrong. Kirk now brings in eight years of experience to head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. A former 1,000-yard wide receiver, he has averaged at least 13 yards per catch in four of his eight career seasons.
Jordan Schultz
Sources: The #49ers are signing WR Christian Kirk to a 1-year, $6M deal.
Kirk is the latest WR addition in San Fran, after they also signed WR Mike Evans.
The former Aggie will have a chance to stretch the field in this high-powered 49ers offense. While Evans, All-Pro tight end George Kittle, once he is healthy, and Ricky Pearsall will look to create matchup problems all over the field and in the red zone, Kirk can create problems farther down the field with his 4.4 speed.
A major winner in this deal is 49ers Pro Bowl quarterback Brock Purdy, who was in need of some new wide receivers with the likes of Kendrick Bourne joining the Arizona Cardinals and both Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk set to be with new teams in 2026.
The 49ers Have a Super Bowl Offense Right Now
Brock Purdy
GettyBrock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey both joined the 49ers in 2022.
San Francisco is set to have one of the older offenses in the league in 2026. All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey will turn 30 years of age in June. Kittle, coming off a torn Achilles, will turn 33 this October. Evans is already 33. Kirk himself will turn 30 in November. Furthermore, if the Niners can find a way to bring him back, 12-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams will turn 38 in July.
Still, this is one of the top-tier units in the league, especially with Shanahan calling plays. A season ago, the 49ers ranked seventh in total offense (351.4 YPG), fifth in passing offense (244.5 YPG), and 10th in scoring offense (25.7 PPG).While they are older players, the additions of Evans and Kirk should help San Francisco kick things up a notch, especially through the air.
With a strong draft performance, 49ers GM John Lynch has a chance to go all in once again on his team. Over his tenure, which dates back to 2017, the Niners have won the NFC West three times, won 10 or more games five times, and made four NFC Championship game appearances, along with two Super Bowl appearances.
While a Super Bowl title has eluded this organization for over three decades, the 2026 season could mark the end of the very long drought. The addition of Kirk may not grab massive headlines, but it will bring experience and much-needed talent to a position group that was in dire need of it.