The Jacksonville Jaguars have their next head coach in Liam Coen, and his first order of business could involve the decision to cut Christian Kirk. After four solid seasons in Arizona, former General Manager Trent Baalke shocked everyone when he gave the wide receiver a massive four-year, $72 million contract that effectively broke the wide receiver market. While he played reasonably well during the first three years of his deal, he could be on the way out in 2025.
As of this posting, Christian Kirk carries a staggering $24.09 million cap hit, the highest on the Jagaurs. The wide receiver has no guaranteed money left on his contract and the team can save over $10.4 million by cutting him. With 2024 first-round pick Brian Thomas stepping up as the unquestioned leader of the wide receiver room, Bleacher Report believes the team will part ways with the veteran receiver.
Christian Kirk is not worth $24 million, especially for a first-year coach entering a probable rebuild. However, he will earn a job somewhere else after the Jaguars cut him. Assuming he is back to full health following his season-ending injury, Kirk could latch on with the Los Angeles Chargers or Carolina Panthers.
Jaguars Projected to Cut Christian Kirk – Receiver Could Sign With Chargers, Panthers
The Los Angeles Chargers desperately need another reliable wide receiver. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey is a star in the making, but the team lacks an adequate second option in the passing attack. Quentin Johnston is too inconsistent, and the rest of the depth chart is comprised of unremarkable veterans or underwhelming youngsters. Justin Herbert is great, but the team’s Wild Card loss shows what happens when the quarterback has an off day.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to win with a strong running game, so the Chargers don’t need to spend big on someone like Tee Higgins. What they do need, however, is a reliable possession receiver who can routinely get open and provide another reliable set of hands. Christian Kirk is a perfect fit for this type of role, and the Chargers should pursue him if and when the Jaguars cut him. With two reliable receivers and over $63 million in cap space, Los Angeles should be able to make a deep playoff run next year.
Veteran Experience
For the first time in forever, the Carolina Panthers have the pieces to build a functional offense in 2025. General Manager Dan Morgan did a phenomenal job rebuilding the offensive line, quarterback Bryce Young played up to his draft capital over the final month of the season, and the offense has several promising young playmakers. What they don’t have, however, is a proven veteran outside of Adam Thielen.
While the former Viking was still productive last year, he’s not getting any younger and struggled to stay on the field. Meanwhile, youngsters Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker showed promise but aren’t guaranteed to be long-term starters. Adding Christian Kirk to the mix will give Carolina a much-needed veteran presence at the position, and Kirk’s contract demands shouldn’t prevent the team from spending big on the defensive side of the ball.
Main Photo: Morgan Tencza – USA Today Sports
