Jaguars gross overpay of Christian Kirk drives up Terry McLaurin’s price tag

As it typically does, the start of the NFL’s legal tampering period lived up to expectations.

While the Washington Commanders were busy letting the market come to them, teams like the Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars shelled out money like they have something to prove to the rest of the league.

When it comes to the Jaguars, their spending spree coincides with the Commanders’ offseason on two separate fronts. The first, obviously, is their signing of Brandon Scherff, Washington’s former fifth overall pick in 2015.

The move confirms what’s been expected since the 2021 season ended: the Commanders have big shoes to fill at right guard.

Moving to the second point, Jacksonville delivered the undisputed shocker of the first day of signings when they inked Christian Kirk to a four-year contract worth a maximum of $84 million and a base value of $72 million.

It feels like a gross overpay on the Jaguars’ part, and it figures to have a snowball effect on Terry McLaurin’s price tag.

What Christian Kirk’s huge contract with Jaguars means for the Commanders and Terry McLaurin.

Give the Jaguars credit for this: They’re trying. After the Urban Meyer debacle, it’s commendable of the new regime — led by Doug Pederson and GM Trent Baalke — are making a concerted effort to build around Trevor Lawrence.

With that said, giving $18 million annually, including $37 million guaranteed to a receiver who’s never topped 1,000 yards over four seasons is a puzzling piece of business. Worth noting, too, that Kirk’s been catching passes from Kyler Murray, a top-10 quarterback, if not higher, for three of those seasons.

McLaurin, on the other hand, has posted back-to-back 1,00-yard seasons and came 81 yards short of reaching that milestone as a rookie. He’s posted those numbers despite catching passes from eight (!) different quarterbacks.

Those QBs? Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Colt McCoy, Alex Smith, Kyle Allen, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Taylor Heinicke and Garrett Gilbert.

Pair McLaurin with Murray and you’re probably talking about 115 or more receptions, 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns every season. For what it’s worth, McLaurin averages more catches and yards per game than Kirk.

Furthermore, Kirk has just four 100-yard games under his belt and he never served as a No. 1 receiver with the Cardinals. McLaurin has nine 100-yard efforts and has 46 games worth of experience going up against premier cornerbacks.

Kirk’s $18 million salary makes him the ninth-highest-paid wideout in the league, tying him with Tyreek Hill, who’s due for an extension, and placing him above Tyler Lockett, Mike Evans, Cooper Kupp, Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.

Taking that into consideration, you have to think McLaurin will demand $20 million annually, no? After all, Deebo Samuel, DK Metcalf, AJ Brown, Hunter Renfrow and Diontae Johnson are all extension eligible this offseason.

Throw in the fact that Davante Adams and Chris Godwin have zero intention of playing under the franchise tag and Allen Robinson is still browsing the market, and it’s highly possible McLaurin signs for a maximum value of $100 million.

All thanks to the Jaguars.