Free Agent WR Option for Vikings Flies off the Board
The moment Kyler Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings, it felt like free-agent wideout Christian Kirk would make a whole lot of sense to follow suit. Kirk is Murray’s best friend, and the Vikings watched as Jalen Nailor, the WR3 in 2025, left in free agency for the Las Vegas Raiders. But then Kirk signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
Minnesota’s remaining WR board just took another hit.
If you wanted Kirk in Minnesota to accompany Murray, that idea will have to wait at least one year.
San Francisco Further Thins the Veteran WR Market
The 49ers begin life after Jajuan Jennings, Brandon Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel.
Kirk to San Francisco
Kyle Shanahan and Co. made it official with Kirk on Monday. ESPN’s Nick Wagoner wrote, “For the second time in a week the San Francisco 49ers added a veteran to their wide receiver room, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with Christian Kirk, a source told ESPN on Monday. Kirk spent 2025 with the Houston Texans after a three-year stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars and his first four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.”
“The deal is for up to $6 million, sources told NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, who first reported the agreement. For the Niners, Kirk’s addition is the latest to a receiver room that is undergoing significant renovation. They signed Mike Evans to a three-year, $42.5 million deal in the opening hours of free agency last week.”
Like most other positions — besides quarterback — Minnesota watched from afar as another quality and affordable veteran signed elsewhere.
The 49ers’ Updated WR Crew
The 49ers’ WR corps has undergone an extensive overhaul in the last few seasons. With Kirk in the mix, here’s a look at the lay of the land at WR:
- Mike Evans
- Ricky Pearsall
- Christian Kirk
- DeMarcus Robinson
- Jacob Cowing
- Jordan Watkins
- Malik Turner
- Colton Dowell
- Junior Bergen
While San Francisco could still draft a wideout in five weeks, that group might do the trick for Brock Purdy and Co. in 2026, especially if tight end George Kittle recovers sooner rather than later.
The Athletic‘s Saad Yousuf and Matt Barrows on the Kirk signing: “The 49ers were still short a receiver after signing Evans to a three-year deal last week. He and Ricky Pearsall figure to be the starters at the position, with Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins also in the mix.”
“The team, however, likes to have six wide receivers on the 53-man roster. Kirk is familiar to the 49ers, having spent four years in the same division with the Arizona Cardinals, and he averaged 14 yards per catch two seasons ago. That number, however, dipped to a career-low 8.5 yards per catch last year for the Texans.”
The 49ers’ offense ranked sixth in the NFL last year per EPA/Play.
Yousuf and Barrows added, “Kirk’s addition gives the 49ers some offseason competition — something they didn’t have at receiver last year. If the team drafts a receiver early, as expected, one of the names above likely won’t make the initial roster, or at least won’t be on the active roster. Neither Cowing nor Watkins is proven.”
“Robinson didn’t make much of an impact last season, and Kirk had just 55 catches in the last two seasons combined. He’ll turn 30 in November.”
Who’s Left for the Vikings at WR3 in Free Agency?
Because the Vikings haven’t signed anybody in free agency, other than quarterback Kyler Murray and cornerback James Pierre, the WR options have vanished rather quickly. A handful of men remain, even if Kirk represented the best option due to his friendship with Murray.
Here’s the list of Minnesota still wants a WR3 from free agency:
- Keenan Allen
- Marquise Brown
- Noah Brown
- Stefon Diggs
- Tyreek Hill
- Jauan Jennings
- Deebo Samuel
- JuJu Smith-Schuster
- Tylan Wallace
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Marquise (Hollywood) Brown might make the most sense because of his college association with Murray at Oklahoma, their two years together with the Arizona Cardinals, and Brown’s relatively productive season in Kansas City last year (587 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns).
The 49ers’ Free Agency So Far
San Francisco certainly hasn’t been shy about adding newcomers, far outshining Minnesota with its free-agent splashes in quantity. These are the newcomers and in-house free agents who re-signed:
- Mike Evans (WR) TB → SF
- Luke Gifford (LB) NYJ → SF
- Dre Greenlaw (LB) LAC → SF
- Nate Hobbs (CB) GB → SF
- Christian Kirk (WR) HOU → SF
- Vederian Lowe (LT) NE → SF
- Brett Toth (G) PHI → SF
- Patrick Taylor (RB) NYJ → SF
- Corliss Waitman (P) PIT → SF
- Garrett Wallow (LB) NYJ → SF
And the players that have departed the 49ers:
- Robert Beal Jr. (ED) SF → MIA
- Kendrick Bourne (WR) SF → ARI
- Kalija Davis (DL) SF → CLE
- Jordan Elliott (DL) SF → TEN
- Matt Hennessy (C) SF → DAL
- Jason Pinnock (CB) SF → NYG
Kirk will turn 30 in November and has amassed over 5,000 receiving yards in eight seasons.
You must be logged in to post a comment.