Pat Mcafee
Getty
Pat Mcafee
The San Francisco 49ers made a significant signing at the wide receiver position on Monday. They agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former Houston Texans pass-catcher Christian Kirk. A former second-round pick out of Texas A&M, the 29-year-old now heads to the Bay Area to catch passes from Pro Bowl quarterback Brock Purdy.
One of the many media members who reacted to the signing was former All-Pro punter and current show host Pat McAfee. The former Indianapolis Colt spoke quite highly of the signing by San Francisco on Tuesday.
Signing Christian Kirk Was a Wise Decision by the San Francisco 49ers
Christian Kirk, Houston Texans
GettyChristian Kirk spent 2025 with the Houston Texans after being traded from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Here is what McAfee had to say about the Niners making the move to sign Kirk:
“He is obviously a playmaker. Can make plays, and now he’s getting added to a 49ers offense that is loaded. I love what John Lynch has been doing.”
The signing of Kirk was the second such signing at the position by 49ers GM John Lynch. Of course, the first signing at wide receiver for San Francisco came when they inked future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year deal worth $60.4 million.
These were two signings that the 49ers needed to make, especially with them letting what could end up being three free-agent wide receivers hit the open market. Veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne joined the Arizona Cardinals, and both Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings could be on new teams in 2026, as well.
49ers Look to Keep Pace With Seahawks
Mike Macdonald Jauan Jennings
GettyThe 49ers and Seahawks split the regular-season series in 2025.
Despite splitting games with the eventual Super Bowl champion Seahawks this past regular season, the Niners ended up getting trounced by Seattle in the divisional round by a score of 41-6. While injuries played a role in their loss, the 49ers were clearly outmatched in the biggest game of the season.
To combat the firepower that the Seahawks possess on offense and the strength that they possess on defense, GM John Lynch and the 49ers have added some skillful wide receivers to help out the offense. Evans, a six-time Pro-Bowler and former Super Bowl champion, and Kirk, a former 1,000-yard receiver, can both give the offense two trustworthy options through the air. If they can combine that with All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey on the ground, look out.
Remember, this is an organization that has been starving for a championship. The 1994 season was the last time in which the 49ers brought the Lombardi Trophy back to the Bay Area. After having made multiple Super Bowls and four NFC Championship game appearances in the last seven seasons, it feels like head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. are on the doorstep.
But with the age of the team, especially on offense, continuing to increase, this particular core will only get so many more bites at the apple. McAfee is right to praise Lynch’s work in building the team because he has done everything in his power to create a perennial contender.