Priority Steelers WR Target Released By Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars plan to release wide receiver Christian Kirk, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Releasing Kirk will save the Jaguars over $10.4 million against the salary cap.
The Steelers have been linked to Kirk in the past, and now with him being a free agent, Pittsburgh could pounce on the opportunity to scoop up the veteran wideout.
Jaguars general manager James Gladstone, who got the job four days before speaking at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, said that the team had no intention of moving Kirk. Obviously that is not the case.
“No, I wouldn’t say that,” Gladstone said. “We’re just starting the conversations about our current roster across (our) pro scouting and coaching staff, as well as working in pro-free agent-related dialogue. So at this point in time, I can say that we’re happy to have Christian.”
The Steelers were reportedly nearing a deal for Kirk in October, near the trade deadline. Kirk suffered a season-ending collarbone injury Oct. 27, thus blowing up those plans.
Kirk has been quite productive in the past, his best season coming in 2022 when he went for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns on 84 receptions. The Steelers are in desperate need of a wide receiver to pair with George Pickens, and Kirk could be the answer. Aside from Pickens in 2024, the only receiver to eclipse 300 yards was Calvin Austin, who had 548.
The Steelers do have other options. The team has been linked to Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams and Davante Adams, who was released by the New York Jets on Tuesday. Tyler Lockett, Darius Slayton, Chris Godwin and Amari Cooper are also free agent wide receivers.
The team could also look to the draft, where Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, Texas’ Matthew Golden and Missouri’s Luther Burden III could be available when the Steelers pick at No. 21.
Joe Smeltzer contributed reporting from Indianapolis.