Everything Texans WR Christian Kirk said after Day 4 of training camp

Here is everything new Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk said following Day 4 of training camp, including his relationship with C.J. Stroud, his friendship with Nico Collins and goals for the impending year on an expiring contract.

Question: On if he has done anything differently this offseason to prepare his body for this year

Christian Kirk: “Yeah, this offseason was unique for me just because I've been out since October, so it was the longest span of time that I've had to really just kind of revamp my body. First, it was recovering from the collarbone, and then once I was healed from that, it was really just getting back down to the basics and just rebuilding my body to be able to sustain a 17-game season and onto the playoffs. So, you know, health-wise, I feel great. Since I've been here, I've gotten bigger, stronger, and faster, and it's starting to show up on the field. So, just really excited with where I'm at physically.”

Q: The knowledge receivers need in this offense

Kirk: “Yeah, you know, they definitely put a lot on your plate at the receiver position, especially as playing F, who's the adjuster in the offense. You really have to know a lot, and coverage dictates a lot, and, you know, the run game and the pass game. And so it's just getting on the same page and, you know, seeing it through the same lens that C.J. sees it. And the quicker we can, you know, both see the same thing at the same time, and even the other receivers, the better we're going to be. So, you know, we challenge ourselves in our room. Ben [McDaniels] does a great job of just, you know, growing our football IQ so we can just play fast in this offense.”

Q: On the process of development and chemistry with QB C.J. Stroud

Kirk: “Yeah, I think it's just coming out with a plan each and every day, and, you know, if we miss something, communicating what either of us could have done differently, and then, you know, either get it off to the side the next day at practice or, you know, later that day in practice. I think it's just evolving communication. That's one thing that me and him really talked about is, you know, yet we haven't had a ton of time to be able to connect and what not. It's just the constant talking and, you know, ‘Hey, did you like that? What would you prefer? Did you see this? Did you see that?’ Because, like I just mentioned, it's just getting on the same page and seeing it through the same lens.”

Q: On how integral he has been in helping rookie WR Jaylin Noel slow the game down

Kirk: “Yeah, you know, Jaylin's [Noel] already ahead of the curve just with the way he prepares and, you know, who he is as a person and as a player. Like I said, he prepares really well. He's smart. And so, you know, for him, it's just, you know, going out there and playing fast, which I struggled with as a rookie. You know, there's a lot of stuff going on, especially this defense. They play fast. They give you a lot of looks. So, you know, I just try to give him little tidbits here and there. You know, if I see something that he can improve or something that I've done in the past that works, I'm always going to try to give it to him because, you know, I want to see him excel. He's going to have a great career in this league and make a lot of plays for us.”

Q: On WR Nico Collins

Kirk: “Yeah, he's a beast. I mean, playing against him and, you know, seeing what he's done from afar, you know, his career path has just accelerated the past couple years. And, you know, being out here in the room with him and on the field with him, it all makes sense. The thing I appreciate most about him is, you know, he's a selfless guy. You know, he's just out there. He wants to see everybody else do well. And, you know, when you're a player like that, good things are going to come for you. And, you know, he never shies away from the big moment and always makes the big plays when you need it. So he's been really impressive to work with, and I'm excited to keep going this season.”

Q: On the similarities in this offense compared to previous offenses he has played in

Kirk: “Yeah, you know, I think with just what we're able to do personnel-wise, going from 12 to 11 personnel, being able to move guys around in an offense, that's something that, you know, I've done in the past, and I really enjoy, you know, not just me playing in the slot and Nico being outside by himself, you know, putting Nico in the slot sometimes, putting ‘Hutch’ [WR Xavier Hutchinson] in the slot, putting ‘Jay’ [Noel], you know, just moving guys around and dictating, you know, the defense with, you know, formation and motion I think is the best way to operate as an offense, and Nick has done a great job of, you know, being able to install that so far and putting us at a spot where we can keep on evolving. So that's one of the things that I really, you know, enjoy and that I've done in the past that's helped me so far.”

Q: How it’s going with the new offense

Kirk: “Yeah, I think it's coming along great, and like I said, it just starts with the communication, but banking reps like those, that's a real rep, you know, that's a rep that we'll probably see at some point, you know, on a Sunday here in the season, and we'll be able to go back to that and be on the same page that, you know, if he plays outside leverage low like that, I'm going to take it over the top, and he's got to put a ball with touch, and, you know, we're able to complete it. So, you know, those are just reps that you've got to bank, and, you know, it'll pay off down in the season.”

Q: On his personality and where it comes from

Kirk: “It's funny, I was actually thinking about that the other day. My dad always told me that, you know, one day people are going to forget Christian Kirk, the football player, but they'll never forget Christian Kirk, the person, and so I always try to leave a lasting impact with who I am as a person and how I treat you when we engage, and, you know, I just want people to, when they walk away or have, you know, an interaction with me, to say that's a good guy, that's a good teammate, and a good person, and then a good football player can come last because my playing days won't last forever, but, you know, me as a person, I have a lot more life to live, and I just want to spread humility and be a good person on this earth.”

Q: On the transition between moving from different teams and locations

Kirk: “It's a lot, to be honest with you. You know, my transition from Arizona to Jacksonville was the first time I did it, and, you know, first time you've got to pick up and pack up everything and move to a new city. You don't know where the closest gas station is. You don't know what exit you take to work, where you're going to park. I mean, it's just a lot of external things, and, you know, moving here to Houston, you know, having a newborn, you know, moving my family out here, making sure everybody's comfortable has definitely added, you know, some extra, I guess, variables outside of football, but, honestly, I can't say enough about how helpful everybody in the organization has been. I mean, anything that I've brought up, they've been so quick to respond and help me out, so it's really been a blessing to have them, you know, just help me transition and be able to focus on football.”

Q: On what ways the team has helped him out

Kirk: “For example, in OTAs, you know, because my wife was pregnant, she had doctor's appointments every week, so the Texans helped fly me back and forth, you know, every weekend just so I can go see my wife on the weekend, make sure she's good, and then come back here and be ready to go on Monday. So just little things like that just really meant a lot to me because I got to be there during that process, a special moment in my personal life, but, you know, also be here and, you know, learn the foundation that we're building here.”

Q: How has Texas helped his career

Kirk: “It's been really special. Texas was always really special to my family and I just because of my time at Texas A&M, and, you know, I just love, you know, the spirit of Texas. I love how much football matters in this state, and, you know, I love that I get to run into a lot of former Aggies around Houston and be able to represent accordingly.”

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Everything Texans WR Christian Kirk said after Day 4 of training camp