The San Francisco 49ers are continuing to overhaul the receiving room this offseason through NFL free agency. The team made one of the biggest moves of the offseason so far when they agreed to a three-year, $42.4 million deal with future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans.
Now, the 49ers are bringing in more veteran help alongside Evans, and one with experience in the NFC West. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the 49ers are signing veteran wideout Christian Kirk to a one-year, $6 million deal.
Kirk, 29, was a second-round pick out of Texas A&M by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has plenty of experience playing against the 49ers from his four seasons in Arizona.
He later spent three seasons with the Jaguars after signing a $72 million contract in free agency, and spent last season with the Texans after being traded to Houston last offseason.
Kirk is known for being a speedy receiver from the slot, but his production has dipped in recent seasons. He earned a big contract after four solid seasons with the Cardinals and had the best season of his career in 2022, his first with the Jaguars. He caught 84 passes on a career-high 133 targets. He also set career-highs that season in receiving yards (1,108) and touchdowns (eight).
Since then, Kirk’s role has slimmed to the point where he only made 28 catches for 239 yards and one touchdown in 13 regular-season games with the Texans last year. However, Kirk burst onto the scene in Houston’s two playoff games, leading the team with 10 catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
The 49ers could be in a position to give Kirk more opportunities next season. San Francisco is prepared to say goodbye to Brandon Aiyuk this offseason and has already passed on bringing back wideout Jauan Jennings in free agency in favor of signing Evans.
Kirk will compete for the slot snaps with fellow veteran Demarcus Robinson and a trio of young receivers: Ricky Pearsall, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing, all of whom have struggled to stay healthy.
Kirk isn’t a stranger to injuries either, but the 49ers are making a point to add speed to the position after lacking the athleticism to compete at the end of the season on the outside. Don’t be surprised if the 49ers also address the position during the upcoming NFL Draft.
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