Both the Broncos and Chargers carried similar issues into the playoffs, as both teams made surprise postseason voyages with top-heavy skill-position groups. Where the Broncos relied on Courtland Sutton, the Chargers depended on Ladd McConkey.
Neither team carries much at tight end, but they may be vying for Evan Engram. Following his Jaguars release, Engram visited the Broncos but left without a deal. The Chargers are throwing their hat in this ring, as NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero indicates they have booked an Engram visit.
Hayden Hurst played out a one-year deal with the Bolts, who enjoyed better production from their tight end spot than the Broncos. No Bronco TE surpassed 200 yards last season, while Will Dissly took over as the Bolts’ leading pass catcher at the position. The ex-Seahawk posted a 481-yard season and remains under contract. Stone Smartt (208 yards) has not yet been tendered as an RFA.
The Jags moved on from Engram despite the ex-Giants draftee breaking and then re-breaking a franchise record for single-season tight end yardage. After a 766-yard 2023 that featured Engram scoring a touchdown in the Jaguars’ wild-card shootout/collapse against the Chargers, he posted 963 yards in 2024. Engram caught 114 passes in 2023, after signing a three-year extension; only Jimmy Smith‘s 1999 featured more catches (116) by a Jaguar.
Previously tied to a three-year, $41.25MM deal, Engram joined Christian Kirk as prominent Trevor Lawrence weapons shipped out this month. Engram has two Pro Bowls (2017, 2020) on his resume and is going into an age-31 season. Juwan Johnson just scored a Saints deal worth just more than $10MM per season. Although he is going into an age-29 campaign, Engram has outperformed Johnson. He will probably be eyeing a comparable contract, as this is not a strong tight end market.