JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars are releasing Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram as their makeover under a new regime continues, according to a report from ESPN’s Mike DiRocco.
The move isn’t a surprise. Engram was in the final season of his contract and had a $19.485 million cap number, according to OverTheCap.com. Engram made the Pro Bowl in 2023 after a franchise record for tight ends in catches (114) and yards (963). He was never a big touchdown threat in Jacksonville, maxing out at four in both 2022 and ‘23. Engram missed eight games last year and finished with just 47 catches, 365 yards and a touchdown as the Jaguars bottomed out at 4-13.
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Engram’s age (31) and contract number made him a realistic cut candidate. He had the second-highest cap number this year on the team, according to OverTheCap, trailing only Christian Kirk.
The move comes just hours after the team reportedly agreed to trade receiver Christian Kirk to the Texans for a seventh-round pick in 2026. Kirk was initially on his way out of town with a release before the switch on Thursday. Kirk had a cap number of more than $24 million, making his return to Jacksonville unrealistic without a significant restructure. According to Spotrac, Jacksonville will absorb $10.5 million in dead cap with the Kirk move.
He had a breakout first season in Jacksonville in 2022 but missed chunks of the last two seasons with a core muscle injury (2023) and a broken collarbone (2024). By trading him instead of an outright release, Kirk’s contract will go with him to the Texans.
According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the team also released return man Devin Duvernay after one unproductive year with the team. The team will save roughly $2.7 million from Duvernay’s release. Cornerback Ronald Darby is also on the way out, according to Pelissero. Darby was brought in along with Duvernay by the former regime. Receiver Josh Reynolds was a Thursday cut as well, freeing up $4.26 million in cap room.
