Even though tight end Evan Engram had been an offensive mainstay for the Jacksonville Jaguars in prior years, the new regime cut ties with him in the offseason because he wasn't a good fit in Liam Coen's system. On top of that, Brenton Strange proved to be a capable replacement when he filled in for him last year.
Nevertheless, Engram didn't wait long to sign a two-year deal worth $23 million with the Denver Broncos. And while there's a chance the veteran tight end will hit his stride, he isn't off to a great start to his stint in Mile High.
Ex-Jaguars TE Evan Engram was a non-factor for the Broncos in Week 1
Back in the offseason, Evan Engram took a shot at the Jaguars, pointing out that it wasn't difficult to be the first one to show up in practice when he was with them. In Week 1, he logged 26 offensive snaps in Week 1 before he left with a calf injury.
Before leaving the field, the former first-round pick had three catches for 21 yards on four targets. Sure, players have no control over injuries, so you can't fault the former Ole Miss Rebel for getting hurt. That said, he missed time with injuries last year, and the Broncos were fully aware when they signed him.
Granted, Engram would turn out to be just fine, but it's fair to say that Denver isn't getting enough bang for their buck. Meanwhile, Brenton Strange hauled in four catches for 59 yards in his 2025 debut. Moreover, he laid out several devastating blocks when he wasn't contributing as a pass catcher.
Related: 3 winers (and 1 loser) from the Jags' win vs. the Panthers in Week 1
The Jaguars made the rigth call when they cut ties with Evan Engram
Not only was Brenton Strange a better fit in Liam Coen's offense than Evan Engram, but the Jaguars saved around $6 million in cap space when they cut ties with Evan Engram. Not long after the decision, general manager James Gladstone praised Engram but pointed out that releasing him helped the team address the larger scale roster.
And make no mistake, Engram was a stud during his stint in Jacksonville. He broke several team and personal records in 2022, and he once again shattered the same records the following year. However, injuries hindered his performance last year. Couple that with Brenton Strange's ascension, and it's easy to understand why the Jags parted ways.
By now, it's abundantly clear that the new regime moved on from underperforming players that didn't fit its vision. And while it's just a one-game sample, releasing Evan Engram has turned out to be the right call.
Here are other Jaguars stories you may also like: