As preseason winds down, NFL teams attempt to do addition by subtraction by trimming their roster by the week. Some players will make the team, but pressure will still surround them. ESPN compiled a list of players, coaches, and general managers under the most pressure this year, including Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram.
The author of the piece, Bill Barnwell, stated that Engram’s age has made him a prime suspect for someone with a lot of pressure. According to Barnwell, tight ends don’t fare well in the NFL after 30.
“If you think the NFL is loath to pay players over 30 at key positions, just wait for positions on the bottom of the spectrum,” Barnwell wrote for ESPN. “Tight end is a spot in which players often struggle to make an impact as they pass 30, either by slowing down or not staying on the field. When they do have an exceptional season, as Zach Ertz did with Washington in 2024, veterans often struggle to parlay their performance into a multiyear guarantee.”
Barnwell did state that Engram’s age has a chance to do well this season due to the quarterback play of Bo Nix, and the system Sean Payton has installed.
“One of the few potential exceptions to that rule might pop up in 2025. Entering his age-30 season, Engram is joining the best situation of his career. Having toiled with the Giants and Jaguars, he’s joining a Denver team coming off a playoff berth. Coach Sean Payton will be the best offensive playcaller he has ever played for. Bo Nix might end up being the best quarterback he has ever caught passes from on a regular basis (although I’m still holding out hope for Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville). There are plenty of other options in Denver, but outside of Courtland Sutton, none of them is a surefire bet to lock up significant target share.”
As the old saying goes: pressure creates diamonds. Let’s see if Engram can answer the bell.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos: Evan Engram ranked among NFL figures under most pressure
