PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars blew the roof off free agency earlier this month when they signed a handful of veteran players to massive, market-adjusting contracts. The centerpiece of that highly paid group was former Arizona Cardinals wideout Christian Kirk, who signed a mammoth four-year, $72 million deal.
Kirk’s former head coach Kliff Kingsbury is happy for his former playmaker and thinks the Jaguars added a dynamic weapon to their offense.
What Kliff Kingsbury told Doug Pederson about Christian Kirk
While at the annual NFL owners’ meetings in South Florida, Kingsbury spoke with Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson about his new recruit. Kingsbury gave Kirk rave reviews to his new boss.
“I love Christian,” Kingsbury said. “He’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever been around as far as doing everything right and working hard and a tremendous player. I told Doug Pederson yesterday, ‘You’re going to love coaching this guy. He’s going to get up, he’s going to be tough, and he’s going to make a bunch of plays for you.'”
Kirk is coming off a career year in Arizona. He produced a career-high 77 catches for 982 receiving yards. He also scored 5 receiving touchdowns for the Cardinals.
In Jacksonville, Kirk — who is guaranteed $37 million through the first two years of his new contract — will be second-year QB Trevor Lawrence’s top target. While he’s never been a 1,000-yard receiver, the Jaguars clearly viewed Kirk as an ascending talent who was buried on a stacked receiver depth chart in Arizona.
Kirk took a backseat to Larry Fitzgerald, DeAndre Hopkins, and A.J. Green during his four-year tenure in Arizona. Now, he will be the well-paid, go-to weapon in Duval County.
“If anybody deserves it, he does,” Kingsbury said.