The San Francisco 49ers continued to reshape their wide receiver corps Monday by signing veteran Christian Kirk to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, sources told ESPN. Kirk, 29, spent the 2025 season with the Houston Texans after three years with the Jacksonville Jaguars and an initial four-year stint with the Arizona Cardinals. The move comes shortly after the team added Mike Evans on a three-year, $42.5 million contract, signaling a significant overhaul at the position.
Kirk joins a group that has seen multiple departures, with Jauan Jennings entering free agency after failing to reach a contract extension, and Brandon Aiyuk expected to leave despite the team holding out for a potential trade. Kendrick Bourne and Skyy Moore have already moved on, landing with the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers, respectively. With Kirk, Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins now the primary receiving options, the 49ers appear to be balancing experienced production with youth, while still holding six picks in the first four rounds of April’s NFL Draft to continue bolstering the position.
Kirk is coming off a 2025 campaign in Houston where he recorded 28 catches for 239 yards and one touchdown, missing four games due to hamstring injuries. He also made a notable postseason impact with an eight-catch, 144-yard performance in the Texans’ AFC wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, setting a franchise playoff record. Kirk could also contribute on special teams in the return game, though he has not returned kicks or punts since 2023. Originally a second-round pick by the Cardinals in 2018, Kirk has compiled 432 receptions for 5,415 yards and 30 touchdowns across eight NFL seasons, bringing both experience and versatility to the 49ers’ revamped receiving corps.
