Evan Engram had the best season of his six-year NFL career during his 2022 campaign with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The former New York Giants tight end joined the Jaguars on a one-year deal and caught 73 passes for 766 yards — both career bests for Engram and Jaguars franchise records for a tight end — along with four touchdown grabs. The breakout season led to Jacksonville using the franchise tag to keep Engram for at least the 2023 season.
On Tuesday, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence told the Florida Times-Union that the retention of Engram is “huge” and “ideal” for the franchise as it aims to build on its 2022 season. The 23-year-old passer also thinks bigger things are ahead for Engram. Via the Times-Union:
“You saw what he did for our offense last season and how he came on at the end of the year. I think we really figured out how to use him the right way and he’s helped us a ton. Just keep building on that, there’s still more out there. That’s the exciting part.”
The Jaguars offense will have a lot of mouths to feed next year with former Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley added to the fold. But that could also mean a lot of open space for Engram as opposing defenses will have to worry about slowing Ridley, Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Travis Etienne Jr, as well.
Engram and the Jaguars have until July 17 to negotiate a long-term contract agreement. If no deal is reached by that date, Engram will play the 2023 season on a $11,345,000 contract via the franchise tag and will be set to become a free agent again in 2024.
