The Denver Broncos have a massive decision to make in 2026, and all eyes are on tight end Evan Engram. Denver signed Engram to a two-year, $23 million deal, hoping he would become a major part of Sean Payton's offense. Instead, his first season with the team felt like a total miss. Now, the pressure is on.

Engram is acutely aware that his first year in the Mile High City didn't go as planned. He has spent the offseason focused on fixing the small mistakes that held him back in 2025. Troy Renck of The Denver Post has been highly impressed with his recent form during the OTAs.

"Engram is making light work of linebackers in coverage with eye-widening catches." Troy Renck wrote as per The Denver Post.

Reports suggest that last season, he never quite found his rhythm. The "Joker" role he was promised never truly materialized. However, this year, he feels very determined.

Engram's 461 receiving yards were the lowest total of any season in which he played at least 16 games, while his 42% snap share was a career low. He started two games and recorded 50 receptions and one touchdown.

Looking back, 2025 was a difficult stretch. Per reports, Engram played a career-low 42% of the offensive snaps. While he was third on the team in targets, his involvement felt forced and inconsistent. Now he is determined to change that.

This season, Engram looks faster and more confident than ever.

"I felt like I wanted to always contribute more. Every week, I want to contribute to the team,” Evan Engram said as per NFL.com. “But, yeah. A lot of that stuff is out of my control, and I just kinda had to stop trying to figure out what that was and just focus on what I was asked to do."

Reports from Fansided's Predominantly Orange state that 2026 will be different. The Broncos are banking on Engram’s chemistry with new play-caller Davis Webb. 

With Webb’s guidance and stars like Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle drawing attention away, Engram should finally have the space to dominate the middle of the field, which Denver originally expected.

HC Sean Payton Has Shown Support for Evan Engram

Despite a disappointing 2025 season, Engram still caught the third-most passes on the team. Now, heading into the 2026 season, the Broncos want to see even better results from the 10-year veteran.

After the team's Thursday practice, head coach Sean Payton gave a positive update on how Engram is doing.

“He’s doing well. He’s moving well. He’s extending plays.” Payton said, according to the Denver Broncos on SI, “ Again, it’s a little easier for those guys that are further away from the ball in these types of OTAs than the linemen."

Engram is turning 32 years old this season. Speed and movement typically slow down as players age. But he still has the Support of Payton.

"Yet it’s important timing, and it’s important for him in his second year. He’s doing a good job with it,” Payton said.

Payton's optimism signals the Broncos still believe in the player they signed in 2025.

Do you think Evan Engram can make a comeback? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Aaindri Thakuri

Edited by

Rudra Dubey