Bleacher Report suggests that the Jacksonville Jaguars may release Christian Kirk as they enter a new era under head coach Liam Coen. After four productive seasons in Arizona, former GM Trent Baalke surprised many by signing Kirk to a hefty four-year, $72 million contract that shook up the wide receiver market. While Kirk performed decently during the first three years of his deal, his future in Jacksonville may be in jeopardy in 2025.
Currently, Kirk has a massive $24.09 million cap hit, the largest on the team. With no guaranteed money left on his contract, the Jaguars could save over $10.4 million by cutting him. With 2024 first-round pick Brian Thomas emerging as the clear leader of the wide receiver corps, Bleacher Report believes the Jaguars will move on from the veteran.
At $24 million, Kirk isn’t considered worth the price, especially for a first-year head coach likely entering a rebuild. However, Kirk will likely find another opportunity elsewhere. If he fully recovers from his season-ending injury, potential landing spots include the Los Angeles Chargers or the Carolina Panthers.
The Chargers are in desperate need of a reliable wide receiver. Although second-round pick Ladd McConkey is a rising star, the team lacks a consistent secondary option in the passing game. Quentin Johnston has been inconsistent, and the rest of the roster consists of underwhelming veterans and younger players. Justin Herbert is talented, but the team’s Wild Card loss showed the importance of having multiple dependable receivers. The Chargers don’t need to spend big on someone like Tee Higgins but would benefit from a possession receiver like Kirk, who could offer reliability and hands-on experience. With ample cap space and a solid duo of receivers, Los Angeles could make a deep playoff run next year.
The Carolina Panthers, on the other hand, have the pieces to build a competitive offense for 2025. GM Dan Morgan has done well to strengthen the offensive line, Bryce Young showed promise toward the end of the season, and the team has several exciting young playmakers. However, they lack a proven veteran receiver besides Adam Thielen, who is getting older and has faced injury issues. While young players like Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker showed potential, adding Kirk could provide the Panthers with a much-needed veteran presence. His contract demands wouldn’t likely hinder the team from investing in other areas, particularly defense.
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