The San Francisco 49ers continued their aggressive rebuilding of the receiver room 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 among one of the league’s most revamped offenses this spring.
Kirk, 29, arrives with a reputation built on the best season of his career in 2022 in Jacksonville, where he recorded 84 receptions for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns.
That performance earned him a four-year, $72 million contract at the time and briefly positioned him among the league’s most productive receivers.
However, since then its production has decreased considerably. Hamstring, collarbone, groin and ankle injuries have interrupted each of the last three seasons.
His 2025 campaign with Houston produced just 28 receptions for 239 yards in 13 appearances.
The postseason also reminded the league what Kirk can do when healthy. In the wild card round against Pittsburgh, he broke out for 144 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions.
Kirk joins a wide receiver 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 seems inevitable and Kendrick Bourne already gone, the 49ers are essentially building a new unit from scratch.
Kirk is the top choice for now, a role that comes with real responsibility in Shanahan’s plan.
