The Jacksonville Jaguars shelled out the most guaranteed money of any team to start the 2022 league year, hitting a $175.3 million figure so far. Former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk received the largest guaranteed amount of any Jaguars free-agent addition at $37 million.
His previous coach with the Arizona Cardinals, Kliff Kingsbury, discussed what he told Jacksonville coach Doug Pederson about his newest wideout at the NFL owners meeting this week. He offered nothing but praise in the process, calling Kirk one of his favorite players.
“I love Christian,” Kingsbury said, according to Pro Football Network. “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.’”
That’s some very high praise for Kirk, and it makes it seem like Arizona did everything in its power to keep him.
Kirk comes to the Jaguars after a career season with the Cardinals where he garnered 77 catches for 982 receiving yards and five touchdowns. However, he is now a top-10 paid receiver in terms of average annual value without ever eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards in his career.
In Jacksonville, he should be second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s top target. Kirk has never had the luxury before because he played beside top wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald, and A.J. Green in Arizona.
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