Two consecutive years of missing the playoffs changed things for a once-promising Jacksonville Jaguars team, leading to a new head coach and the departure of some key talent. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos have been trending upward ever since they hired Sean Payton in 2023.
Now, the Broncos are ready to capitalize on the arrival of their new franchise quarterback, Bo Nix, and they’ve accelerated that process by trying to surround him with more weapons. One of the ways they’ve done that is by trading for two-time Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram, who’s preparing for his first season with his new team.
Advertisement
While Engram is only a few days into training camp with his new team, he’s already noticed a significant difference between the Jaguars and Broncos. Specifically, Engram believes his new team is more equipped to compete at the highest level, whereas the Doug Pederson Jaguars were not.
“I tell people, all my family, it’s hard to be the first one in the building. I’m used to being the first one. In Jacksonville, I was always the first one. It was really easy. Here, it’s kind of tough. A lot of guys doing it at the highest level. It’s just a contagious environment. We all want to get better, and we all have high standards that we all want to achieve together.”
Evan Engram on Jacksonville Jaguars/Denver Broncos
For what it’s worth, Engram did enjoy a career year in Jacksonville in 2023, racking up 963 yards and four touchdowns, earning his second Pro Bowl nod. But with no playoff appearance, Engram’s numbers were a lost cause.
Still, producing as an elite tight end helped him stay on the Broncos’ radar, and it sounds like he’s already fitting in well with his new teammates. We’ll find out whether it leads to even better results soon enough.
Related: Denver Broncos reportedly wanted to trade into top 10 for this 2025 NFL Draft prospect
Related Headlines