Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram set new career bests with 114 receptions and 963 receiving yards in 2023.
But after a disappointing 2024 campaign, the Jaguars are moving on. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on March 6 that Jacksonville is releasing Engram ahead of league free agency.
Jaguars Save Nearly $6 Million With TE Evan Engram Release
Jacksonville made several cap-saving moves on March 6. Pelissero and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the Jaguars released returner Devin Duvernay. Furthermore, the Jaguars released veteran cornerback Ronald Darby.
The Jaguars were also set to cut wide receiver Christian Kirk, but before doing so, Jacksonville agreed to a trade that sent the wideout to the Houston Texans.
Jacksonville received a 2026 seventh-round pick in the trade and in return, the Texans accepted Kirk’s entire $16.5 million contract for 2025.
Moving on from Engram clears additional cap space for the Jaguars.
And another: The #Jaguars informed two-time Pro Bowl TE Evan Engram they’re releasing him, per source. pic.twitter.com/2EtH6owJ9Q
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 6, 2025
According to Overthecap, the team saves roughly $5.95 million against the cap with Engram’s release.
The tight end will count as a $13.5 million dead cap hit.
After arguably his best season in 2023, Engram turned in a disappointing 2024 campaign. The tight end had 47 catches, which were his fewest since his final year with the New York Giants in 2021. Engram also averaged a career-worst 7.8 yards per catch, giving him only 365 yards with one touchdown.
Engram also only played in nine games because of hamstring and shoulder injuries.
The Giants selected Engram at No. 23 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. He made his first Pro Bowl with New York while catching 63 passes for 654 yards and one touchdown in 2020.
After five seasons with the Giants, Engram signed a one-year deal with the Jaguars. Jacksonville retained Engram by placing the franchise tag on the tight end two years ago.
Before the franchise tag deadline, the Jaguars signed Engram to a three-year, $41.25 million contract.
He had one year remaining on the deal before his release.
What Engram’s Free Agency Market Could Be
Despite the injuries and poor production when healthy in 2024, Engram could possess a significant market this offseason.
Engram will join a tight end market that is expected to be one of the weaker positions in NFL free agency this spring.
“Tight end presents — without question — the weakest free agent group in 2025 NFL free agency,” PFSN’s Ben Rolfe wrote recently.
Besides Engram, the top tight ends set to be available in free agency are Zach Ertz, Mike Gesicki, Tyler Conklin, Austin Hooper, and Juwan Johnson.
On March 4, PFSN’s Sterling Xie proposed the Seattle Seahawks trade for Engram. Obviously, the Seahawks no longer need to trade for the veteran tight end, but Seattle is still a potential fit.
That’s especially true with the Seahawks releasing veteran receiver Tyler Lockett and reportedly shopping fellow wideout D.K. Metcalf.
“Seattle tight ends combined to rank 23rd in yards per reception (9.4) and 18th in receiving yards (810) in 2024. Engram has been a reliable underneath weapon in Jacksonville and ranks second in receptions per game among TEs since joining the Jaguars in 2022 (behind only Travis Kelce),” wrote Xie.
In eight NFL seasons, Engram has posted 496 receptions for 4,922 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns. Engram has also averaged 9.9 yards per catch in 108 NFL games.
In addition to Seattle, NFL analysts have mentioned the Denver Broncos as a potential fit for Engram this offseason.