Arizona Cardinals receiver Christian Kirk said when he was a rookie he wanted to follow the path Larry Fitzgerald has taken. He wanted to become a big-time receiver for the Cardinals.
Two seasons later, Kirk now finds himself as the Cardinals’ No. 3 receiver, still behind Fitzgerald but now also behind DeAndre Hopkins, whom the Cardinals acquired in the offseason via trade.
Kirk doesn’t believe his goals have been hindered.
“I wouldn’t say it sets me back,” he told reporters in a video conference this week. “Me filling in Fitz’ shoes and trying to fit in his shoes and follow in his path, it’s more than on the field.”
He cited Fitzgerald’s work off the field in the community and also his success in business.
As for achieving his goals on the field, Kirk also likes the situation he is in.
“Deandre can help me get there,” he said. “A lot of people could look at it as a setback, (not getting) as many targets. The fact I’m playing with arguably a first-ballot Hall of Famer, arguably the best receiver to ever play the game and then arguably the best receiver currently in the game right now, if those are the two guys in front of me that I’m learning from and following in their footsteps, then I have no problem with that. because they’re ultimately in the position I want to be in.”
Some great receivers have played behind other greats. Hopkins played behind Andre Johnson in Houston. Reggie Wayne played behind Marvin Harrison and then T.Y. Hilton played behind Wayne. Randy Moss played behind Cris Carter.
In the Cardinals’ offense, if things are clicking the way they believe it will in 2020, there will be plenty of targets for everyone.
So far, in two seasons, Kirk has caught 111 passes for 1,299 yards and six touchdowns in 25 games.
The Cardinals believe he has No. 1 receiver potential. He might not be the true No. 1 on the Cardinals this year, but he still can be great if he stays healthy.
If he is open, he will get the ball. He will produce, and if it is him and Hopkins after 2020, there is no reason Kirk can’t achieve his career goals.
“I don’t see it as being a disadvantage to me or pushing that process back.”
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
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