The New York Giants are actively seeking playmakers to enhance their offense this offseason, and an intriguing, familiar name has recently appeared on their radar. The Jacksonville Jaguars released star tight end Evan Engram on Thursday — a player that Giants fans are well acquainted with. Could the Giants look to bring him back in free agency?
Engram spent the last three seasons with the Jaguars after leaving the Giants in 2021. His time in Jacksonville was largely successful, as he set a career-high with 766 receiving yards in his first season. He then improved in 2022, finishing with 114 receptions, 963 yards, and four touchdowns.
However, the 2024 season did not go as planned for either Engram or the Jaguars. Injuries, which affected the entire team, limited Engram to just nine games. Releasing him helped the Jaguars save $15.48 million in cap space.
Now back on the free-agent market, could the Giants consider bringing Engram back? The Giants originally drafted him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and while he was a solid, though inconsistent player during his time in New York, he struggled with drops and injuries. Despite those setbacks, Engram always displayed the elite potential that he later fulfilled in Jacksonville.
Several years later, Engram has become one of the NFL’s top tight ends when healthy. While the Giants have a promising rookie tight end in Theo Johnson, adding a dynamic playmaker like Engram could still be worth exploring, especially if the price is right. Engram can line up as both a tight end and a slot receiver, offering flexibility and allowing the Giants to run more two-tight end sets — something that head coach Brian Daboll favors.
However, would Engram be open to a reunion with the Giants? It seems unlikely. During his time in New York, Engram faced heavy criticism from fans after several key drops led to costly losses. The backlash from the fanbase undoubtedly took a toll on him, hindering his development. Given the harsh treatment he received, Engram may not be eager to return to the Big Apple. However, if the Giants make him a compelling offer, money could potentially persuade him to rejoin the team.
