Evan Engram Throws Subtle Shade at Jaguars While Embracing Broncos Culture

Evan Engram hinted that the Broncos players are more professional and are committed to their craft compared to his former team.

Evan Engram Throws Subtle Shade at Jaguars While Embracing Broncos Culture

Former Jacksonville Jaguars and current Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram (Image via IMAGO/X)

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The Jacksonville Jaguars reckoned they had found a long-term solution at the tight end position after Evan Engram racked up 114 receptions for 963 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns in 2023, even though the team struggled to win games. It turned out to be a fool’s dream.

Engram injured his hamstring on the opening day of the following season, missing the next four games. The Jags recorded only four wins and ended the year with a backup quarterback, as Trevor Lawrence suffered a concussion.

Owner Shahid Khan overhauled the coaching staff and cut a few players. One of them was Engram, despite signing a three-year, $41.25 million deal nine months earlier.

Engram entered free agency. He received offers from two AFC West teams: the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers. After paying a visit to both facilities, the 30-year-old agreed to a two-year $23 million deal with the Broncos.

Evan Engram spoke about the difference between the culture at the Broncos and his previous team, the Jaguars

There are 32 NFL teams, but there are barely any similarities between them. Whether it’s their history, success, or culture, nearly every aspect is different. Some are better than most, and in Engram’s experience, the Jaguars fall behind the Broncos in almost every category.

Evan Engram Throws Subtle Shade at Jaguars While Embracing Broncos Culture
Evan Engram was drafted by the New York Giants (Image via IMAGO)

The way that this team connects, the way they push each other, the way they challenge each other, the way that we’ve bonded, the standard that we have for ourselves, the camaraderie we have, the laughs that we have. It’s an incredible locker room with a lot of great leaders.

Evan Engram said on Friday via DNVR

The TE highlighted that the level of professionalism and hunger he sees among the players in Denver was missing in Jacksonville. He demonstrated complete dedication to transforming the Jaguars into a successful franchise; however, the influence of a single individual is insufficient to alter the organization’s overall destiny. Denver is different. Everyone contributes.

I was always the first one [to arrive at Jags]; it was really easy, [but] here [in Denver] it’s kind of tough. A lot of the guys are doing it at the highest level. It’s just a contagious environment.

Engram said

Sean Payton can get the best out of him, but he has to perform like it was 2023 all over again; otherwise, he might invite unwanted pressure. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote that Broncos brass will keep one eye on him in the upcoming season.

[Evan] Engram appears to be in line for a role with some verticality up the seam, playing to what was once a 4.42-second 40-yard dash speed. If he develops a quick rapport with Nix and carves out a significant role in the offense, a Broncos team with a quarterback on a rookie deal might not want to mess with a good thing and keep him around for years to come.

Barnwell wrote

It’s a big year for the Broncos quarterback, Bo Nix, as well. Most fans would be content to play in the wild card again and avoid a second-season slump. However, Payton doesn’t believe in taking the foot off the gas pedal.

Fans will get a hint on how the season may pan out when they welcome the Jaguars’ divisional rivals, the Tennessee Titans, to Mile High on week one.

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