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TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaps over Jessie Bates III #3 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos tight end situation is drawing renewed attention this offseason, with one report urging the team to pursue Cade Otton in free agency while another argues the Broncos should cut or restructure former Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram to gain flexibility. 

Together, the two viewpoints frame a clear decision point for Denver as it looks to upgrade its offense ahead of the 2026 season.

One league observer recently described Otton as a “logical upgrade” for a Broncos offense that still lacks a true in-line tight end.

On the other hand, Sports Illustrated labeled Engram’s contract one of the most questionable veteran deals on the roster, noting Denver could move on “if a better option becomes available.” 

They even raised the possibility that Denver could cut him completely.

Those parallel assessments underline how closely linked the two decisions may be. 

Cade Otton Fits What Denver Has Been Missing

Otton’s profile aligns cleanly with what the Broncos have lacked at tight end. 

The 26-year-old has quietly delivered back-to-back productive seasons. 

He finished the 2025 season with 59 receptions for 572 yards, while catching 69 percent of his targets.

Over four NFL seasons, Otton has totaled 207 catches for 2,018 yards and 11 touchdowns, showing durability and consistency. 

Unlike Denver’s current setup, Otton offers a true three-down skill set. 

He can block effectively, run precise routes, and remain on the field without tipping play calls. 

One evaluator noted Otton “doesn’t need to be schemed open to be useful,” a trait that would add balance to a Broncos offense that leaned heavily on personnel substitutions in 2025. 

According to Spotrac, Otton’s projected market value sits around three years, $23 million, a reasonable figure for a starting-caliber tight end. 

Adding him wouldn’t force Denver to spend big at the position, but it would change how the Broncos evaluate their current tight end room.

Evan Engram’s Contract Complicates the Picture

Engram’s on-field role never fully matched expectations after he signed a two-year deal following his release from Jacksonville.

In 2025, he recorded 50 receptions for 461 yards and one touchdown, production that one analyst described as “fine, but replaceable.”

Financially, the math is tricky.

Engram is due $10.99 million in base salary plus $510,000 in per-game roster bonuses, with $5 million guaranteed. 

Cutting him outright would only free roughly $3.8 million in cap space, limiting the appeal of a clean break. 

That’s why several cap analysts believe a restructure could be Denver’s best option.

One suggestion floated was converting part of Engram’s base salary into incentives, a move that could free nearly $2.9 million while keeping him as a situational weapon.

If Denver were to add Otton, Engram could shift into a more specialized role rather than being relied on as the foundation of the tight end room. 

With free agency approaching, the tight end position is shaping up as one of Denver’s biggest offseason decisions.

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