Lost in Denver's painful end to the 2025 season is the uncertain future of tight end Evan Engram.
It's no surprise Engram represents a relative footnote in the Broncos' larger tale; he played just 42 percent of offensive snaps over 16 games in 2025, his first season in Denver after signing a two-year, $23 million deal to join the ascending club in March.
The lack of playing time was new to Engram, a former first-round pick of the Giants in the 2017 draft who truly blossomed in the second act of his career in Jacksonville. Instead of arriving as a key mismatch and the offensive generator most envisioned he'd be, Engram found himself out of the starting lineup and searching for answers.
"There were some tough moments in there," Engram said Monday, via the Denver Post. "I felt like I wanted to always contribute more. Every week, I want to contribute to the team. But, yeah. A lot of that stuff is out of my control, and I just kinda had to stop trying to figure out what that was and just focus on what I was asked to do."
Despite the emotional challenges that came with his new, underwhelming role in Denver, Engram found incredible value in his experience with the Broncos -- and he's eager to run it back in 2026 if they'll have him.
"Yeah, I mean, I definitely felt God led me here for a reason … maybe it wasn't exactly, things didn't occur the way I saw them," Engram said. "But what He's given me this year, man -- I've got 10 more years left, from what I've learned this year.
"I mean, I have a great team around me. We're going to ride until the wheels fall off."
Engram's words match the prevailing sentiment that emanated from Denver's locker room after the team's 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, one that was unusually positive given the final result. Instead of dwelling on the disappointment, most Broncos reflected on what was a wildly successful season with an optimistic tone as they closed the book on 2025 and looked ahead to 2026.
It seems as if Engram wants to remain a part of their ascension. But at 31 years old, it's fair to wonder how much quality football he has left in him. There's also the matter of finances: Denver can cut the tight end before June 1 and save $3.8 million of his $14.1 million cap number in 2026, and save nearly twice as much with a post-June 1 release.
The numbers suggest the two parties are headed toward a split. But Engram is ready to make his pitch to the Broncos -- or anyone interested in his services, for that matter -- with the hopes he can continue his career and perhaps recapture the magic that saw him earn a Pro Bowl nod in Jacksonville in 2023. As he said, "Man, I still got a lot left in the tank physically."
At minimum, he'd like to find a place where he can help the next crop of playmakers. Perhaps it will be in Denver, where he learned plenty of lessons in just one season.
"The wisdom I gained is going to be able to help so many younger players, and just my involvement as I continue to play," Engram told The Post. "And just, I'm thankful for who I became as a man, this year."
