JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Michael from Orange Park, FL

So, the Jaguars are releasing wide receiver Christian Kirk. I fail to see how this makes us better as a team. Explain this one, KOAF.

The Jaguars indeed reportedly plan to release veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk, news that first was reported Wednesday afternoon by Adam Schefter of ESPN. This has yet to become officially official, but there's no reason to believe it won't become officially official soon. It also wasn't remotely unexpected, with many speculating for a while about the possibility because of Kirk's $24 million projected salary for the 2025 season. When you compared his $14 million(ish) dead cap number for '25, releasing him meant a $10 million(ish) cap savings – and that ultimately made it make sense. A big reason also was that Kirk hadn't finished either of the last two seasons healthy, which – combined with his salary – made retaining him very difficult. I don't know that releasing a healthy, reliable version of Kirk makes the Jaguars better. But considering the circumstances, the move isn't surprising.

William from Jacksonville Beach, FL

I'm very disappointed with releasing Kirk.

I am, too. I liked covering Kirk very much the last three seasons and would rank him among my favorite athletes to cover. I wish the Jaguars could have found a way to retain him. He's a class act. He will be missed.

Ken from Orlando, FL

Fare the well, Christian. Is Evan next? Say it ain't so, KO(AF).

Jaguars tight end Evan Engram indeed is a similar storyline to Kirk this offseason in the sense that has been a valued member of the offense – and a trusted receiver for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. But he also is a similar storyline in the sense that he missed a lot of last season and in the sense that he has a high '25 salary cap number. This doesn't remotely mean that Engram is "next." But those are the similarities.

Michael from Middleburg, FL

Well, I guess the purge has started. Kirk is no longer a Jag.

There's not necessarily going to be a "purge." The NFL is a business. Kirk as much as any player understands that.

Pete from Queensbury, NY

Bring back the Mayor of Sacksonville! That is all ...

You're suggesting the Jaguars re-sign former Jaguars defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who played with the Miami Dolphins last season and who will be 39 next season. Campbell reportedly wants to play again and signing him would make sense because – a, he can still play; b, he would be ideal for a team trying to reestablish a culture and establish an identity. I wouldn't rule it out.

Steve at work at the beach from Jax Beach

Q: Who are the people reporting directly to Tony and their department? A:... "and football communications." Wait ... so you report to Boselli now? LOL.

I do not report to Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli. I would have no problem reporting to Boselli. But football communications in this sense means the Jaguars' football public relations department. I work in the Jaguars Productions department, which does not report to Boselli and is better known as my "supporting cast."

Brian from ROUND ROCK, TX

Khan's Jags typically put free agent castoffs ahead of drafted players. This hasn't worked. Everyone knows it doesn't work. But Khan likes it, doesn't he? Something about hype machine and ticket sales. Also, indicates that he is guiding things. Meddling, you might say. Right, Neuman?

Not at all. Jaguars Owner Shad Khan hires people to run football operations and allows people who run football operations to make decisions. Why have the Jaguars been so active in free agency so often? Because they haven't drafted well enough often enough and teams that don't draft well enough often enough find themselves very, very tempted by the perceived fruits of free agency. This temptation can be very difficult for struggling teams to resist. It doesn't remotely indicate that Khan meddles unless you're predisposed to believe this. If you're indeed predisposed to this, I doubt anything will convince you otherwise. Even reason and the truth.

Tim from Fort Wayne, IN

Did you enjoy living in Indiana? Do you have specific things that you miss or remember particularly fondly? What makes Jacksonville a better home than Indianapolis?

My wife and son, though both Jacksonville natives, enjoyed living in Indianapolis very much – and I enjoyed it to the degree they enjoyed it. We have fond memories of friends, our house and community in Plainfield – just outside Indianapolis – and I have particularly fond memories of my son playing junior tennis there before we left. I miss little about Indianapolis beyond our home and friends. We met a lot of good people in that world and consider it an important and pleasant part of our past. What makes Jacksonville a better home than Indianapolis? My co-workers, this organization, the people of Jacksonville, our house and community in Springfield, the fact that it's home and just about everything else.

Bradley from Sparks, NV

There are so many variables in any given NFL game and season that teams win totals often vary dramatically from year to year even with teams that have relatively few changes in roster and coaching staff. Am I wrong?

A couple of thoughts on this thought. One is that most teams turn over a relatively significant portion of at least the bottom of their roster every season, and it's relatively rare to have no changes to a coaching staff from one season to the next. But that's admittedly a bit picky. A second thought: Victory totals vary from season to season for many teams, with injuries often a major reason. Victory totals also tend to stay a little more stable with franchise quarterbacks and a sound organizational structure.

Cliff from Everywhere with helicopter

"Boutros Boutros-Ghali!"

Nah.

Benjamin from Jacksonville, FL BWO Upstate SC

Assuming Jaguars Happy Hour or whatever takes its place retains J.P. Shadrick and Pete Prisco, my top choices for who to sit opposite Prisco are as follows, in order: David Garrard, Maurice Jones-Drew, Rashean Mathis, Marcedes Lewis (if he finally hangs up his cleats).

OK.

Bill from Hawthorn Woods, IL

My wife says we like your Boselli response, but I frankly do not recall thinking that as I read it, but she assures me I think it. I do recall entering selective hearing mode for a substantial part of her soliloquy, though. I suppose I could have missed it, but I surrendered final say at the altar in 1991. I heard something about logic and balance, but I know you went to Episcopal so that's not likely. Between you and me, I am launching a private resistance of 'our' opinion until my wife figures it out and makes me stop. In the meantime I also apparently believe in the Jags dropping from 5 into the 6-10 range so someone can come get a QB in April. When I know why I think this, I will let you know. Go Crusaders!

I like the idea of the Jaguars trading back a spot or two in the 2025 NFL Draft if there is a team that wants to trade up for a quarterback. This makes sense only if you can still get the player you want at No. 5 when trading back.

Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ

Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone was recently quoted as saying, "I look forward to working with our coaching staff, scouting staff and sports staff to bring it all the life." What is a "sports staff?"

Pretty much everyone in football operations who's not the scouting staff and coaching staff.

Sam from Orlando, FL

Were you in the room when Jags brass told Eugene "The Wizard" Frenette he wouldn't be the new general manager? And what of the possibility of Gene playing again and putting some pressure on Trevor Lawrence?

I was not in the room for that meeting. When scheduling a meeting with longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette in which you are delivering Gene doesn't want to hear you include as few people as possible. It limits casualties.

JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

John - I was not happy to hear that Christian Kirk will be leaving the Jags, but understand that the move makes business sense. Christian will always be linked in my memory to the magical run of the last half of the 2022 season which extended into the middle of 2023. When Kirk went down on the first offensive play of the Jags' Monday Night Football appearance in Week 13 of 2023, I got a sinking feeling because he was such a key piece of the offense. At that moment, the Jags were 8-3 and looking good to repeat as AFC South Champs. A 34-31 loss to the Bengals ensued and the rest is history. Kirk will be missed. Thank you No. 13!

One fer Kirk.