Evan Engram had a career-best season in 2022, breaking franchise records in his first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now the tight end is hoping for the chance to stay with the team.
The 28-year-old former first-round pick joined the Jaguars on a one-year, $9 million deal last offseason and finished 2022 with 73 receptions, 766 yards, and four touchdown receptions.
After a 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round, Engram was emotional in the locker room during a conversation with Brent Martineau of Action Sports Jax.
Evan Engram is probably the highest priority free agent for the Jaguars. @BrentASJax caught up with an emotional Engram after the game Saturday. The tight end bet on himself and delivered a big time season. #ASJax @ESPN690Jax pic.twitter.com/GVb9iUF4fH
— BrentDanStuartMarcelAlivia (@ActionSportsJax) January 22, 2023
“I’ve had the best year of my life, the most fun I’ve had in a while,” Engram said. “It sucks that our season is over. We’ve got to wait a while to get back; training camp will be here sooner than later.
“It wasn’t a good five years, my first five years in the league. Those were rough. All I did was work, at that point. But coming here, I love working here.”
The Jaguars don’t have much cap space to work with in their efforts to keep impending free agents. For now, the team is projected to be nearly $14 million over the salary cap in 2023 by Over The Cap. Jacksonville can help itself by releasing a few bloated contracts like Shaquill Griffin’s, and some restructures could also clear space.
But Engram isn’t the only key contributor due to hit free agency in 2023. Starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor is also set to the market after a breakout year, as are pass rushers Arden Key and Dawuane Smoot.
The franchise tag could be a useful way to retain Engram for 2023, as it’s projected to cost $11-12 million for a tight end.
Whatever the solution is, there would seem to be mutual interest in making sure the veteran tight end didn’t play his last game with the Jaguars on Saturday.
