The Denver Broncos addressed a key offensive need by signing two-time Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram to a two-year, $23 million contract on March 12, which includes $16.5 million in guaranteed money.
Under head coach Sean Payton, the Broncos’ offense has lacked a true playmaker at the tight end position—a role that holds significant value in Payton’s system as the versatile “Joker” position. Engram is expected to fill that void, but not everyone is convinced he’s the right fit.
ESPN’s Ben Solak listed Engram’s signing among the free agent deals he “didn’t love”, questioning whether he can truly solve Denver’s tight end issues.
“(Engram) adds the most value when he’s a high-volume underneath receiver,” Solak wrote. “On days in which Courtland Sutton demands high volume, or on which the Broncos want to be a run-heavy team … Engram could be obsolete. He doesn’t create big plays downfield or after the catch, and he isn’t an impactful blocker. It’s not a bad deal since the financial commitment isn’t huge. I’m just less enthusiastic about it than most are.”
Now entering his ninth NFL season, Engram’s latest contract will push his career earnings to approximately $74.4 million by the time it expires after the 2026 season.
Engram Released by Jags in Salary Cap Move
The Denver Broncos aimed to address a key offensive need by signing two-time Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram to a two-year, $23 million contract on March 12, which includes $16.5 million in guaranteed money.
Under head coach Sean Payton, the Broncos’ offense has lacked a true playmaking tight end—a critical position in Payton’s system, particularly in the versatile “Joker” role. Engram is expected to fill that gap, but not everyone is convinced he’s the right solution.
ESPN’s Ben Solak listed Engram’s signing among the free agent deals he “didn’t love,” questioning whether he can truly address Denver’s tight end concerns.
“(Engram) adds the most value when he’s a high-volume underneath receiver,” Solak wrote. “On days in which Courtland Sutton demands high volume, or on which the Broncos want to be a run-heavy team … Engram could be obsolete. He doesn’t create big plays downfield or after the catch, and he isn’t an impactful blocker. It’s not a bad deal since the financial commitment isn’t huge. I’m just less enthusiastic about it than most are.”
Now entering his ninth NFL season, Engram’s latest contract will push his career earnings to approximately $74.4 million by the time it expires after the 2026 season.
Signing Engram Signals Broncos Focused on RB in Draft
Signing Evan Engram could signal that the Broncos are positioning themselves to select a running back with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
However, if Denver opts against taking a running back in the first round, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad outcome. Selecting a running back that early carries inherent risks, and this year’s draft class is considered historically deep at the position, giving the Broncos plenty of opportunities to find value in later rounds.
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