The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to terms with receiver Christian Kirk on a four-year deal worth $84 million, and Twitter is losing its mind.
There’s always one contract on the opening day of NFL Free Agency that shocks the football world. Christian Kirk received said deal on Monay afternoon.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jacksonville Jaguars continued their spending spree by landing slot receiver Christian Kirk on a four-year deal worth up to $84 million. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided a bit more clarity, stating the contract is $18 million annually, with escalators that could increase the payout.
While it’s incredibly important to note we don’t yet know the guaranteed money or the structure of the contract — and there’s likely a reason for that — the Jaguars are paying a fortune for a receiver who has yet to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in an NFL season, having spent his first four campaigns with the Arizona Cardinals.
Jaguars pay Christian Kirk a huge sum, and Twitter is losing its mind
Predictably, Twitter reacted in an appropriate fashion to the news:
Davante Adams with the franchise tag looking at that Christian Kirk deal... pic.twitter.com/nuSoAuMM2g
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 14, 2022
There’s no fucking way Christian Kirk is getting 21 million a year. Show me the guarantees. That number has agent speak written all over it.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) March 14, 2022
If I'm Davante Adams and I see Christian Kirk's contract, I'm asking for a space ship and $35 million a year.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1503453715650465800
I mean ... all you can really say is congrats to Christian Kirk.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 14, 2022
Kirk is a quality player, but the Jaguars are spending a fortune when the receiver rookie class is expected to be very good. Additionally, Jacksonville could have waited out the market some on Kir, as it’s unlikely he would have gotten this total sum and AAV anywhere else.
Still, Kirk does add to an offense which is trying to help second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence improve after a tough first season. Jacksonville is also in a very winnable division and could see itself making a big leap between Lawrence’s potential and the addition of head coach Doug Pederson.