Evan Engram’s one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars went about as well as either party could’ve possibly hoped in 2022. The former New York Giants took advantage of the “prove it” deal, posting career-best numbers and breaking a couple Jaguars franchise records while he was at it.
Shortly after Jacksonville’s season ended with a 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round, Engram made it clear that he’d love to return to the team in 2023.
With Calvin Ridley applying to be reinstated from a suspension to join the Jaguars’ offensive lineup, Engram still appears to be interested in the thought of staying in Jacksonville.
— Evan Engram (@eazyengram) February 15, 2023
In the nearly four weeks since the Jaguars’ season ended, there hasn’t been much of an update on Engram’s status with the team. The Jaguars could franchise tag the tight end anytime between Feb. 21 and March 7, but general manager Trent Baalke is hoping that won’t be necessary.
Engram, 28, played on a $9 million deal in 2022 and it’ll presumably cost more to retain him after he recorded 73 receptions for 766 yards in the regular season.
There are currently five tight ends with an average salary of $14 million or more. The Las Vegas Raiders’ Darren Waller leads the way with a three-year deal he signed in September 2022 that averages $17 million per year.
A deal that averages $10-12 million would land Engram at 10th or 11th on the list of highest paid tight ends. That could be what it takes to enter the 2023 season with the potential offensive lineup that’s raising eyebrows, including Engram’s.
