ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news on Twitter that veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk was released today.

There’s been scuttlebutt around Jaguars media that the 28-year-old (due to turn 29 in November) wide receiver was on the trading block or considered for release due to his contract which would have left him a free agent in 2026. At the time of the move by the franchise, Kirk’s $24,119,294 cap hit for 2025 was the biggest on the entire roster for the current year. Releasing him saved the organization over $10 million against the salary cap.

Part of the reason for the move could also be that in the past two seasons, Kirk has missed 13 games after turning in a career year in his first of three years in Jacksonville. He only started in seven contests in 2024. While it did allow rookie sensation Brian Thomas Jr. and experienced backup Parker Washington a chance to shine, the adage remains that “you can’t help the club in the tub” — especially when you are due over $24 million against the salary cap.

Word around the NFL is that the Pittsburgh Steelers are interested. His best comp to a former Steeler may be their former wide receiver great, Hines Ward—a guy who was dubbed undersized but who was considered the roster’s most vaunted receiver during his tenure. That was certainly the role Kirk had in Jacksonville once he left the Arizona Cardinals where his was the number two option next to the great Larry Fitzgerald.

His best year as a Jaguar was in 2022. It was Doug Pederson’s second season as head coach and also quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s sophomore season. He put up 1,108 yards on 84 catches with eight touchdowns that year. That was also the same season where Jacksonville won the AFC South and hosted the Los Angeles Chargers in a playoff win before they lost to the eventual Super Bowl LVII Champion Kansas City Chiefs. It was the only campaign of Kirk’s career where he played all 17 games.

This move will likely have the Jaguars looking harder at a Tet McMillan of Arizona or Heisman Trophy Winner Travis Hunter of Colorado in the NFL Draft. It could also open the door to looking at the Tampa Buccaneers Chris Godwin or the LA Rams Cooper Kupp as a target in free agency — franchises that have ties to the Jags new head coach Liam Coen.