Bo Nix's stellar rookie campaign came with little production from the tight end position.
In an effort to remedy that, the Denver Broncos are signing two-time Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram to a two-year deal, Engram's agent announced Wednesday. Engram's contract is worth $23 million and includes $16.5 million full guaranteed, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero reported.
The Broncos won an AFC West battle for Engram, who had visits with the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday and Denver on Monday.
Following a 10-7 showing last season in which Denver advanced to the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 campaign, Broncos general manager George Paton opined that the team had a good "young nucleus and a great quarterback to build around."
Engram's signing is the first significant move in improving the offense and adding skill around Nix.
The 30-year-old tight end is now set to play with his fourth first-round starting quarterback, as he began his career with Eli Manning and the New York Giants, moving on to Daniel Jones with Big Blue and then joining Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Engram was released by the Jaguars in a somewhat surprising move for salary cap savings. In a shallow free-agency tight end market, Engram became a hot commodity -- settling in as Gregg Rosenthal's No. 32 overall free agent.
A 2017 first-round selection of the Giants, Engram largely underwhelmed in five Gotham seasons before finding the right fit in Duval. He had 187 receptions for 1,729 yards and eight touchdowns from 2022-23 with the Jaguars, including a 2023 Pro Bowl selection.
Injuries limited his availability and productivity in a nine-game 2024 that saw him struggle to 47 catches for 365 yards and one score.
The Broncos are banking on him returning to form in his age-31 season and giving Nix another weapon at his disposal.
With Javonte Williams gone at running back and the wide receiver room needing additions to supplement Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr., Engram is a good first start in building an arsenal for Nix. Last season, Broncos starting tight end Adam Trautman had nary 13 receptions in 17 games, with Lucas Krull's 19 grabs the most among TEs on the team.
Finding a bona fide pass catcher at tight end was a massive need for Denver and Nix. Engram should be able to bolster the Broncos in that regard as he aims to rebound from a down-and-out year in Duval.
