The San Francisco 49ers continued the aggressive rebuilding of their front office on Monday, agreeing to a one-year, $6 million contract with veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk.
The signing marks Kirk’s fourth NFL franchise in eight professional seasons and places him within one of the league’s most revamped offenses this spring.
Kirk, 29, arrives with a reputation built on a career-best 2022 season in Jacksonville, where he had 84 receptions for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns.
That performance earned him a four-year contract worth $72 million at the time and briefly positioned him among the league’s most productive receivers.
But since then, its production has declined considerably. Hamstring, collarbone, groin and ankle injuries have disrupted each of the last three seasons.
His 2025 campaign with Houston produced just 28 receptions for 239 yards in 13 appearances.
The playoffs also reminded the league of what Kirk can do when healthy. In the wild-card round against Pittsburgh, he had 144 yards and a touchdown on eight catches.
Kirk joins a receiving room that already includes newly signed Mike Evans, third-year pro Ricky Pearsall and Demarcus Robinson.
With Jauan Jennings still unsigned, Brandon Aiyuk’s departure seemingly inevitable, and Kendrick Bourne already gone, the 49ers are essentially building a new unit from the ground up.
Kirk is the primary slot option for now, a role that carries real responsibility in Shanahan’s scheme.
