NFL Free Agency 2023: Jaguars looking to hold on to key offensive weapon for Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram produced his best-ever performances last year in his first season with the team. While he is set to hit free agency, the Jaguars and Engram have a mutual interest in him returning to the team.
The #Jaguars and TE Evan Engram have mutual interest in him returning to the team. (via @Demetrius82)
"The interest is there on both sides for me to come back."
Engram is a pending free-agent in March. He set career highs in catches and yards in 2022.
jacksonville.com/story/sports/n… https://t.co/BqUMRhFf5S
Engram set career-highs in catches and yards last season. The 2017 first-round pick by the New York Giants hauled in 73 catches for 766 yards and four touchdowns last season.
He would be one of if not the best tight ends available this off-season alongside Dallas Cowboys' Dalton Schultz.
On Sirius XM Radio, Engram said he has a strong relationship with the Jaguars and would favor a return to the team.
"The conversations we've had are very positive, he (agent Mike McCartney) has a great relationship with the Jags, so hopefully something gets done and I think it's mutual. We haven't had too many conversations yet, but the interest is there on both sides for me to come back, and obviously, I would love to come back as well. But like you said, it's a business.
"I felt like I've put a lot of great things on film, had a lot of great results this year, and I was a big part of helping my team win. So, when you do that at the pass-catcher position -- you have a lot of highlight plays, and you're doing something special with the football -- those guys get taken care of financially."
AUDIO"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.
👇AUDIO👇 | #Jaguars | #DUUUVAL https://t.co/khrDolPK80
Engram proved that he deserves a new deal after a productive season in Jacksonville. He had the best season of his career after many people criticized him for not living up to his first-round potential. He played on a one-year, $9 million deal last season
Jacksonville Jaguars will have to clear up some space in order to sign Evan Engram
While the Jaguars are hopeful they can reach a long-term deal with Engram, they are in cap hell right now.
They currently have -$32 million in cap space and need to get under in the next few weeks before the new league year begins on March 15.
They may be forced to release players such as Shaquille Griffin, Rayshawn Jenkins and Roy Robertson-Harris, and will have to restructure other players' contracts.
It'll be a busy off-season for the Jaguars and they need to figure out how to get under the cap before anything else.