A high-profile receiver trade is expected to take place relatively soon with Davante Adams known to be available. He may not be the only veteran pass-catcher who changes teams before the trade deadline, though. 
The Jaguars are receiving interest on Christian Kirk, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post details. That comes as no surprise given the team’s 0-4 record to start the year. Questions loom over the job security of head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke, and more losses over the coming weeks could lead to the team adopting a seller’s standpoint.
For now, however, La Canfora adds Jacksonville has rebuffed trade interest for veteran players. The team is looking to retain a number of core players in the hopes of rebounding during the immediate future. If one or both of Pederson and Baalke were to be let go, though, Kirk could become a more feasible trade target for contending teams. The 27-year-old has already been floated as a candidate to be moved before the November 5 deadline, with the Chiefs and Steelers representing potential destinations.
“They’re going to add a receiver before the deadline, for sure,” one general manager told La Canfora when speaking about the Chiefs. “I think it’s going to be Christian Kirk. He just looks like an Andy Reid receiver. He really fits what they do.”
With Marquise Brown out until at least the playoffs and Rashee Rice dealing with what may be an ACL tear, receiver is an obvious position for Kansas City to target in the event a midseason move is made. Pulling off a deal with the division-rival Raiders for Adams (whose preference is the Jets) would be challenging for the Chiefs. Kirk is among the other options who could make a notable impact down the stretch and through the playoffs if he were to be added to the fold, however.
The former Cardinals second-rounder took a free agent deal with Jacksonville in 2022. The terms of that four-year, $72MM pact came as a surprise to many at the time, but the top of the receiver market has since seen multiple surges in value. Kirk delivered a strong debut Jags campaign, totaling career highs in catches (84), yards (1,108) and touchdowns (eight). He was limited to 12 games last season, but be still remained a high-end option in the passing game by averaging 13.8 yards per catch.
The 2024 campaign saw Kirk record only one reception in each of the first two contests; the Texas A&M product has made 15 catches since then. Unlike a number of other players who could be on the move shortly, Kirk’s deal runs through 2025. None of his base salary ($15.5MM) for next year is guaranteed, however, so a new arrangement could be made shortly after arrival with an acquiring team.
Suitors would take on a prorated portion of Kirk’s $14.5MM salary for this season in a deal. That figure could become manageable closer to the deadline in particular, but it remains to be seen if the Jaguars will authorize deals sending him and other veterans elsewhere over the coming weeks.