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Evan Engram #1 of the Denver Broncos looks on during a game against the Houston Texans.
Evan Engram’s first season with the Denver Broncos did not go as planned, especially following head coach Sean Payton’s comments.
Heading into Year 2, Engram could be in for a much-needed bounce-back campaign. It all depends on whether Payton and the Broncos follow through on an expected change of plans after already shaking up their group.
Given their commitment to Engram, the Broncos would be wise to make it work, if possible.
Evan Engram Could Benefit From Major Change
GettyEvan Engram #1 of the Denver Broncos looks on before a game against the Houston Texans.
Engram, who turns 32 in September, caught 50 passes for 461 yards and 1 touchdown for the Broncos in 2025 after signing a two-year, $23 million contract in free agency.
9News’ Mike Klis noted the financials, as well as Payton potentially acquiescing, for Engram.
“Given Engram has $5 million guaranteed on his 2026 scheduled payout of $11.5 million along with a $10.33 million dead cap, it would make sense for the Broncos to keep him and hope new offensive coordinator Davis Webb can make better use of him than Payton did,” Klis wrote on February 15.
“There is widespread belief Webb will replace Payton as the Broncos’ play caller this year, although this has not been publicly confirmed by the head coach himself.”
Klis also noted that the Broncos had plans to add another tight end last offseason.
They had plans on targeting Alijah Arroyo (Seattle Seahawks), Colston Loveland (Chicago Bears), Mason Taylor (New York Jets), and Terrance Ferguson (Los Angeles Rams), but missed out on all of them.
Klis expects the Broncos to target another tight end, one who is a better blocker. He also noted starter Adam Trautman and backup Nate Adkins, who also plays fullback, could return.
Evan Engram Gets Strong Words From Former Broncos Player
GettyEvan Engram #1 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Engram has drawn criticism locally over his production this past season, with former Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay, now a host on “The Drive” in Denver, giving him a “D+” grade before settling on a “64%” for the two-time Pro Bowler.
The 104.3 X handle framed the year as a “massive disappointment.”
“He was supposed to be the joker. A guy that we could rely on. A guy that Sean Payne was gonna move all around the field and get involved, right? Stretch that football field. And yet, he did not do that. He dropped a lot of footballs this year, he was arguing with the head coach, he didn’t take any type of accountability at the end of the year,” Lindsay told Zach Bye on “The Drive” on February 11.
“For me, I have to go with the D+, which hurts my heart. Because I know Evan Engram, one, is a good dude. But 2, throughout his career has had some great moments, has had some great years now. He needs to try to capture that–recapture it. I don’t know how that’s going to look. Maybe with someone like Davis Webb calling plays, that’s going to help him out.”
Fittingly, though, adding another tight end to the roster could continue to suppress Engram’s role if not further reduce it, depending on what else the Broncos do at the position this offseason.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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