Mile High Report
Evan Engram’s first season with the Denver Broncos is best described as “meh.”
It clearly wasn’t great by any stretch of the imagination. But it also wasn’t terrible.
It was just “meh.”
Engram finished his first season in Denver with 50 receptions for 461 yards and one touchdown. His best game came in the win over the Washington Commanders when he had six catches for 79 yards. For a guy with a 2026 salary cap hit of $14.1 million, the expectations are higher.
Yet despite that, throughout the 2025 season, Engram never seemed to be a focal point of the offense. The Joker that Sean Payton talked so much about heading into the season and was one of the main reasons the Broncos signed the tight end. Engram’s playmaking ability and threat over the middle really weren’t utilized. As to why Engram was a passenger in the offense, it’s likely a combination of game planning, the offense, Bo Nix, and Engram.
As training camp nears in Denver, how Engram is better utilized this season is one of the most fascinating aspects to watch. The addition of Jaylen Waddle no doubt improves the offense. He makes the receiving room better. He makes Nix better. But he should also help Engram.
Having a dynamic receiver like Waddle opens the field for Engram, so it’ll be interesting to see how new offensive coordinator Davis Webb plays off that. Engram brings an element at tight end that benefits Nix and the offense. It’s why Denver signed Engram. So use him.
If Engram’s usage increases, it’s another element that defenses have to prepare for. Coupled with the expectation that the Broncos running game is more consistent and improves, Engram is another piece at Webb’s disposal.
How this plays out, and the type of role Engram has in Denver’s offense, is something to watch.
Getting more of a Joker than “meh” will make the Broncos offense and team better.
