The Jacksonville Jaguars entered the NFL's legal tampering period with plenty of funds, and they have not been shy about spending them. After reportedly landing offensive guard Brandon Scherff, defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi and linebacker Foye Oluokun, the Jaguars have agreed to terms with former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk on a four-year deal worth up to $84 million, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the deal is reportedly worth $72 million ($18M annually) with a max of $84 million. This means Kirk is now in the top 10 of highest-paid receivers when it comes to AAV, but if he is able to juice the Jags for the full $84 million, that would make Kirk the third-highest-paid receiver in the NFL, per Over The Cap. That $21 million per year would rank third behind DeAndre Hopkins and Julio Jones.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will be happy about this addition, as Kirk caught a career-high 77 passes for 982 yards and five touchdowns in 2021. Just 25, Kirk will step in as an immediate starter who can play both outside and in the slot. Jacksonville went out and signed Marvin Jones Jr. last offseason, and now it has another new weapon who will help expedite Lawrence's development.
Kirk was selected by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. Even with the Cardinals possessing several talented weapons, Kirk found ways to stand out when given the opportunity. In 56 career games, he has caught 236 passes for 2,902 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Another interesting facet of this reported addition has to do with a different receiver tied to the Jaguars. D.J. Chark is a free agent, and one has to wonder if this latest move means he will be playing elsewhere in 2022.
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