The Denver Broncos have been desperately trying to revamp the tight end position for a full 2 years, dating back to when head coach Sean Payton essentially cleaned the slate in 2024.
To this point, nothing has really worked. And that’s not for a lack of trying.
The Broncos made a big splash in free agency in 2025 by signing 2-time Pro Bowler Evan Engram to a 2-year, $23 million contract, and he proved to be a stunning disappointment in his 1st season in Denver.
In 2026, the Broncos turned to the NFL draft to try and find their fix, drafting North Carolina State tight end Justin Joly in the 5th round (No. 152 overall) and Utah tight end Dallen Bentley in the 7th round (No. 256 overall).
NFL insider Jason La Canfora predicts it’s Joly who could ultimately lead to the Broncos cutting ties with Engram.
“Head coach Sean Payton is still designing the offense and this team nearly went to the Super Bowl with a back-up QB last year and Joly will have a role right away,” La Canfora wrote on Tuesday. “Evan Engram did not work out there last year as a move TE and I suspect he’s not on their roster by the start of training camp.”
Engram Called NFL’s ‘Worst Free Agent Signing’
Pro Football Focus put Engram’s contract on its list of the NFL’s “Worst Free Agent Signings” from the 2025 cycle.
“Sean Payton clamored about wanting a ‘joker’ for his offense, which seemed to be Engram,” PFF’s Bradley Locker wrote. “However, Engram didn’t offer reliable contributions with a 57.6 PFF receiving grade and a 7.0% drop rate. Now, Denver will presumably go back to the well as it searches for a playmaking tight end.”
If the analytics-based critique doesn’t quite hit home, maybe this will: Engram had 50 receptions for just 461 yards and 1 touchdown during the regular season. He capped his year with 3 receptions for 26 yards and no touchdowns in 2 playoff games — a time when his team needed him the most, and an elite performance could have almost justified his entire contract.
Broncos Might Find Trade Partner for Engram
Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti put Engram at the top of his list of offseason trade candidates for the Broncos.
“With $5M of 2026 salary fully guaranteed, the Broncos probably won’t outright release Engram this offseason, but it stands to reason they’ll try to offload this contract (1 year, $11.5M) in some capacity,” Ginnitti wrote. “The 31-year-old caught 50 passes, including 1 TD, in 2025.”
Through the first 2 seasons of Denver quarterback Bo Nix‘s career, he’s yet to play with an elite wide receiver or tight end — something the Broncos at least tried to remedy by trading their 2026 1st round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for superstar wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Denver had been criticized for being the only team not to sign any outside free agents through the 1st week of NFL free agency.
“Splash: The Broncos are pulling off a post-free agency blockbuster by trading for Dolphins star WR Jaylen Waddle,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account. “Premium draft pick compensation is headed to Miami. The two teams started talking last year at the trade deadline and kept working. Now, a deal.”
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