The Jacksonville Jaguars are making significant changes to their pass-catching corps. After agreeing to trade Christian Kirk to the division rival Houston Texans, the Jaguars also released tight end Evan Engram, the team announced.
Engram appears to have no hard feelings about the move. "It's all love Jax," he said on social media. "But they just let a mf dog loose! Excited for what's next!"
Engram made the Pro Bowl after a 114-catch season in 2023, but he struggled to stay healthy last year and caught just 47 passes for 365 yards, setting a career low in yards per reception.
His release saved Jacksonville approximately $5.99 million against their books, according to Over the Cap. (Unless they designate him a post-June 1 release, in which case they'll add $15.5 million in cap room.) This came after the Jags had already cleared around $10.4 million in the Kirk trade.
Jacksonville has a somewhat thin pass-catching group around Brian Thomas Jr. The Jaguars counted only Gabe Davis and Parker Washington among their notable wide receivers before signing Dyami Brown, while Brenton Strange is now joined in the tight end room by signees Johnny Mundt and Hunter Long. Under new head coach Liam Coen, the offense is expected to change quite a bit -- and the personnel already is as well.
Meanwhile, with Engram set to be on the move, here are a few potential landing spots for the former Pro Bowl tight end.
Denver Broncos
Engram has already taken a visit to Denver. Sean Payton has been looking for a pass catcher who can work in the short areas of the field. He would ideally get what he calls a "joker" who can operate out of the backfield as well, but giving Bo Nix another target on underneath passes -- and one who has experience creating yards after the catch -- is a worthwhile bet.
Los Angeles Chargers
According to NFL Media, Engram will next visit with the Chargers in L.A. The Chargers really need to add pass catchers to give Ladd McConkey some help. That's especially true with Joshua Palmer hitting free agency. Will Dissly had some solid games last year, but Hayden Hurst is back in free agency and Dissly has never played more than 60% of his team's snaps anyway.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have seemingly been rotating a million tight ends for years. Are they really getting everything they need out of guys like Mo Alie-Cox (who is now a free agent), Kylen Granson (same), Jelani Woods and Will Mallory? Probably not. So why not give Engram a call and see if he can help Anthony Richardson on the quick-game throws that have been an issue for him to date?
New York Jets
Tyler Conklin is hitting free agency and the Jets have already cut ties with the Aaron Rodgers half of their receiver room, so they are in desperate need of pass-catching help. You could do a lot worse than having Engram as a security blanket for whomever is under center next season.
