Trading Christian Kirk to the Houston Texans for a 2026 seventh-round pick earned the Jacksonville Jaguars a C+ grade from NFL.com. Analyst Kevin Patra acknowledged that while the Jaguars managed to gain something for a player they were likely to release, the return was minimal. Kirk's injuries over the past two seasons, with only 19 games played out of 34 possible, contributed to the decision to move on. The trade not only provided some cap relief—freeing up over $10 million—but also highlights the team's focus on reshaping their roster.

General Manager James Gladstone expressed respect for Kirk and fellow player Evan Engram, underscoring their contributions to the locker room. The move is seen as a step towards better flexibility for the team, especially after some key departures along the offensive line. The Jaguars aim to leverage this newfound cap space to enhance their overall roster as they look forward to the upcoming draft.