JACKSONVILLE, Fla.>> The Jacksonville Jaguars found a trade partner — a division rival, no less — for receiver Christian Kirk before officially releasing him.

The Jaguars agreed to trade Kirk to AFC South opponent Houston on Thursday for a seventh-round draft pick in 2026, a person familiar with the move said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side had confirmed the deal, which won’t be official until the new league year begins Wednesday.

The Texans were looking for a slot receiver after Tank Dell underwent a second knee surgery earlier this week. They also are letting veteran Stefon Diggs leave in free agency.

The 28-year-old Kirk will now pair with Nico Collins to give the Texans a formidable duo for quarterback C.J. Stroud, assuming Kirk can stay healthy.

Jacksonville told Kirk and his agent that the team planned to release him Wednesday. But few expected this divisional twist.

“Kirk to Houston can’t be real,” Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen posted on X.

Trading Kirk will save the Jaguars $10.4 million against the salary cap in 2025. It will cost the team $13.6 million in dead money, though. The Texans would be on the hook for his $15.5 million salary unless he agrees to a restructured deal.

As it shakes up its offense under new coach Liam Coen, Jacksonville is releasing two-time Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram and returner-receiver Devin Duvernay.

It also is dumping journeyman cornerback Ronald Darby, who is coming off arguably the worst season in his 10-year professional career. The Jaguars notified all three players of the pending cuts Thursday, according to a person familiar with the process.

Jaguars center Mitch Morse announced his retirement Thursday after 10 seasons and nearly a hundred wins. Most of those came with Kansas City and Buffalo.

The 32-year-old Morse had one year remaining on a $10.5 million contract he signed a year ago in free agency.

Browns restructure Watson’s contract>> Deshaun Watson’s contract has been reworked again by the Cleveland Browns as the team looks to clear salary cap space with the new league year less than one week away.

A person with knowledge of the move tells The Associated Press the latest restructuring of the quarterback’s contract will clear nearly $36 million in cap space for the Browns. The Browns were nearly $22 million over the cap before restructuring Watson’s deal. It is the second time in three months that Watson’s contract was reworked.

Bengals All-Pro edge rusher gets permission to seek trade>> Two people with knowledge of the move say All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson received permission from the Cincinnati Bengals to seek a trade. Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks this past season.

Hendrickson had 171/2 sacks last season for the second straight year. His 57 sacks since joining the Bengals in 2021 are third-most in the league over the past four seasons.

Wagner is returning to the Commanders on a ONE-year contract>> A person with knowledge of the move tells The Associated Press that six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner is returning to the Washington Commanders.

Wagner has agreed on a contract for the 2025 NFL season. He led the Commanders with 132 tackles last regular season and made 25 more during the playoffs on their run to the NFC championship game.