Jacksonville Jaguars Free Agent Tight End Hopes to Return

Free agent tight end Evan Engram had a career year with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022, and he's apparently eager to build on that success. Speaking with reporters on Monday, Engram expressed optimism that he and the team could work out a new contract.

"The interest is there on both sides for me to come back."@Jaguars TE Evan Engram discussed his approach to free agency and the possibility of the franchise tag.

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— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) February 20, 2023

Engram played with the Jaguars on a one-year, $9 million deal in 2022 and set a career-high with 766 receiving yards at an efficient 7.8 yards per target. The Jaguars earned their first playoff appearance since 2017 and finished with the 10th most points in the league.

Engram entered the league as the 23rd overall pick of the New York Giants in the 2017 NFL Draft. Despite earning a Pro Bowl in 2020, Engram has yet to achieve true stardom in the league, but he proved himself a capable and valuable fit for the Jaguars this past season.

So long as Engram's contract demands are reasonable, a reunion with the Jaguars makes sense for both sides. He's probably earned a deal in the range of Jonnu Smith's four-year, $50 million deal with the New England Patriots and David Njoku's four-year, $54.75 million pact with the Cleveland Browns.