As we are right in the middle of the week before free agency begins in the NFL, we finally have news to follow, as teams are releasing players and agreeing to trades. We have discussed the Bills being only $10 million over the cap and the moves they could make to trim that down before the new league year begins on Wednesday.
The Bills have multiple needs to retool their roster and wide receiver is one of the bigger ones. The Bills might have just been gifted the perfect situation, as news of the Jaguars releasing Christian Kirk just broke.
The veteran wide receiver is actually with Josh Allen right now as we have learned of him being a cap casualty. Allen and Kirk are very good friends and have spent time together in the offseason in the past. The reigning MVP is with a whole group of guys at the TGL Golf Tournament, in what is rumored to be his bachelor party. Just last night, Kirk was photographed right next to Allen.
.@JoshAllenQB and squad rolling deep tonight! 🏈🏌️ pic.twitter.com/nH8177vRTq
— TGL (@TGL) March 4, 2025
Kirk's fit with Buffalo Bills
So how does he fit with the Buffalo Bills? Well for starters, Josh Allen has a massive influence on personnel decisions, as we have learned. He has hand-picked his backup quarterback before (Kyle Allen), he texted general manager Brandon Beane about drafting Dalton Kincaid two years ago, and he wanted Keon Coleman last draft.
He has also had a big influx over the offensive coaching staff the last few years, in Ken Dorsey and even Joe Brady. There seems to be no doubt Allen will be vying for his good friend to be his new weapon.
Outside of the personal connection with the Bills’ star quarterback, he fits the bill of what they need; a vertical threat with speed. At the combine last week, head coach Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane were very vocal about adding speed to their team.
While Kirk isn’t a blazer, he would give the Bills a true downfield threat. Although he primarily worked in the slot with the Jaguars, he can play outside, and that’s where the Bills would need him.
Since entering the league in 2018 as a second-round pick, he’s totaled 404 catches, 5,176 yards, 29 touchdowns, and averaged 12.8 yards a catch. He has battled some injuries, particularly over the last two years, only appearing in 20 games.
However, that could help the Bills obtain him on the cheaper side. Last season, the Bills receivers often struggled to get open, especially against better man-coverage defenses. Kirk, a good route runner, helps that immediately.
A real vertical threat has seemed to withhold an already great Bills offense, from being a level above that. Kirk’s ability to work the deep field would open up Dalton Kincaid’s game a lot, and even the freshly extended Khalil Shakir on the heels of his breakout season. Keon Coleman could benefit from it as well, as the needing-to-improve rookie could work in more one-on-one situations and do what he does best, out-muscle defensive backs.
Amari Cooper’s presence helped with this last year, however, he lacks the deep threat ability as he turns for the wrong side of thirty. Cooper’s age showed, and it appears he’ll be departing in free agency, which could net the Bills a compensatory pick.
Since Kirk was released, it would not factor into negating that, which is another plus. It also allows the Bills to knock receiver down a peg in the needs order, and they could focus on defense. It even allows them to go defense with multiple of their first picks to rebuild that side of the ball, and select a receiver later on. This is a move that Bills fans’ should keep their eyes on.