The Jacksonville Jaguars spent most of James Gladstone's first offseason in charge of the roster trying to get rid of as many unnecessary holdovers from the Doug Pederson and Trent Baalke era as possible. That desire to remake the roster put them in a position where keeping tight end Evan Engram seemed untenable.
Engram fulfilled his full potential with Jacksonville, making a Pro Bowl while tallying just under 2,100 yards and a 114-catch season with the Jaguars. However, just a few years after handing him a huge extension, Jacksonville decided that he was not playing at a level that would justify such a preposterously big contract,
The Jaguars chose to rectify this by parting with Engram and watching him sign with Sean Payton's upstart Denver Broncos. Engram went to a team that is fresh off a playoff appearance and will always have a passing game worth tuning in to see, which could give Jacksonville a bit of seller's remorse.
CBS Sports ranked Engram as one of their top veteran bounce-back players, citing the fact that he still has tremendous hands (only one dropped pass last year) and will be going to an offense more willing to throw the ball deep down the field. A Pro Bowl year in Denver could be a bad look for Gladstone.
Jaguars could look foolish fi Evan Engram stars for Broncos
Engram averaged just over five catches and 40 yards per game in an injury-marred nine-game campaign with Jacksonville last year. Keep in mind that those numbers came in a year where Trevor Lawrence dealt with injuries, and the morale around all aspects of this franchise fell deep into the gutter.
Denver has big plans for Engram, who will be used in a very special "Joker" role in Payton's offense. Engram's versatility and receiving upside is still there as he heads to his third team, and a creative coach like Payton could help him get back to the highs that Pederson helped him reach in teal.
The Jaguars, meanwhile, have their succession plan lined up in former second-round pick Brenton Strange. While Strange flashed in 2024, he will need to prove that his production wasn't just the byproduct of a bad Mac Jones-led team force-feeding him targets in a lost season.
The Broncos will likely be in a position to compete for another playoff birth on the back of an efficient passing offense that features Engram in a prominent role. A strong season in orange and blue could make some Jags fans wonder if parting with him was the right move.