Tight end Evan Engram spurned the LA Chargers to sign with the Denver Broncos this past offseason. At the time, it seemed like a massive loss for the Chargers, especially with Engram going to a bitter rival.
Two weeks into the 2025 season and that bitter loss no longer seems like a loss at all. While there is plenty of time remaining for Engram to reach his full potential with the Broncos, his performance thus far has left plenty to be desired.
Engram caught one pass for 12 yards in Sunday's back-breaking loss to the Indianapolis Colts. This brings Engram's total for the season up to four catches for 33 yards. Not necessarily eye-catching numbers two games into the NFL season.
Evan Engram's slow Broncos start is a blessing for the Chargers
Engram signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Broncos after he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the offseason. He has a cap hit of $5.95 million in 2025 before it balloons to $14.16 million in 2026. Denver would still have to pay $10.3 million in dead cap money if Engram becomes a cap casualty.
That's a lot of money for a tight end who has done next to nothing thus far in his short Broncos tenure. In fact, Engram currently has the seventh-highest cap hit for a tight end in the sport in 2026.
A player usually doesn't get top-tier money at their position after being a cap casualty in the same offseason, but Engram did. The Chargers, meanwhile, are spending around $10 million for the three tight ends on the roster this season.
Engram visited the Chargers prior to signing with the Broncos and there definitely was some kind of mutual interest. Why Engram spurned the Chargers for the Broncos is unclear, although it may ultimately boil down to how much he is paid. With how general manager Joe Hortiz operates, it's safe to assume he balked at this price point for Engram.
What was once viewed as a missed opportunity for the Chargers now seems like a blessing. Granted, Engram can always turn it around, but he has not even looked like the best tight end on his own team. Adam Trautman has.
And even if Engram turns it around, the Chargers can still be more than happy with the tight end room the team put together. Will Dissly is a great blocker who adds some value to the passing game, Conklin is a dynamic receiving threat and Oronde Gadsden II was one of the most talked about players at Chargers training camp.
The Chargers are doing just fine at tight end without Engram in the fold. Sometimes, the deals that fall through end up being the best move for a respective team.