Evan Engram embraces Sean Payton's 'Joker' role but says it's something he has to earn in Denver
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton, center, and tight end Evan Engram, right, get direction from a coach as players take part in drills during an NFL football team practice Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton, center, and tight end Evan Engram, right, get direction from a coach as players take part in drills during an NFL football team practice Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton, center, and tight end Evan Engram, right, get direction from a coach as players take part in drills during an NFL football team practice Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Don't call Evan Engram the 'Joker' just yet.
The ninth-year tight end has embraced coach Sean Payton's vision of him as a versatile player who can create mismatches for Denver's offense, led by second-year QB Bo Nix.
Advertisement
When he signed a two-year, $23 million deal in the spring, Engram took to X and posted a GIF of the late Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning performance as the Joker in 'The Dark Knight.'
On Thursday, however, Engram said he still needs to earn the moniker.
'That is a cool thing to just embrace," Engram said. "Sean talks about it a lot. It was a big part of the pitch coming here. The fans are great here, so (the social media post) was just embracing that narrative a little bit. I definitely see that it is something that has to be earned with the way I work and the way that I learn the offense to gain the trust of Sean, Bo and the rest of the coaches and players.
"I think we have a bunch of Jokers on this team, honestly, that can have a great role on this offense. It is definitely something that I like to embrace, but it is also something that I am going to earn, too.'
Advertisement
Actually, Engram is probably the only member of the Broncos offense who fits Payton's description of the Joker.
Last year, Payton described the Joker as 'either a running back or tight end with exceptional ball skills and then you can work matchups. We've had that at the running back (position). Reggie Bush was the Joker, Darren Sproles and Alvin Kamara. Those were all unique players, not just in the running game, but they had passing game skill sets that allowed you to do multiple things.'
Payton was hoping tight end Greg Dulcich would turn into his Joker last season, but his propensity to drop passes squelched that notion and led to his release.
So, Payton entered free agency this year intent on landing the traditional hallmark of his offense, and he did so when Engram signed with the Broncos after three seasons in Jacksonville and five with the New York Giants.
Advertisement
Before Engram agreed to Denver's offer, Payton and the rest of the Broncos' brain trust had to sweat through Engram's subsequent visit with the AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers.
'Free agency is a crazy roller coaster,' said Engram, who was the 23rd overall pick by the Giants in 2017. 'I took a visit to LA. It's a great organization there, as well. I had a great visit with them, but the best place for me and my family was here in Denver. Just with the offense, the history here, the way the organization takes care of its players.'
On Thursday, the final day of organized team activities open to the media, Engram ran routes with receivers, not tight ends, and he stood out for his fluidity and his jersey number.
Asked why he chose No. 1, Engram said it was his number in high school. At Mississippi he wore No. 17, a number he revived with the Jaguars. So when the Broncos sent him a list of available numbers after he signed, he relayed the list to his family members, who all concurred he should wear No. 1 again.
Advertisement
'It's a cool thing just to reconnect to the glory days of high school football,' Engram said.
Dobbins to Denver?
The Broncos could be adding a veteran running back to their roster. Free agent J.K. Dobbins plans to visit Denver a week ahead of the team's mandatory minincamp.
'We'll have a chance to visit with him and then we'll see where it goes,' Payton said. 'We really like the group right now that we're working with. It's just another opportunity to possibly bring in another good football player to help us win."
The Broncos drafted R.J. Harvey out of Central Florida in the second round of the NFL draft in April. He is viewed as a potential three-down back and leads a relatively young group of rushers that includes second-year pros Blake Watson and Audric Estime, third-year player Jaleel McLaughlin and fourth-year pro Tyler Badie.
Advertisement
Dobbins gained a career-best 905 yards on 195 carries and tied his career high with nine rushing touchdowns last year with the Chargers despite missing four games with a sprained knee.
If he signs, Dobbins could become a big contributor in the Broncos' backfield. The former second-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens has an extensive injury history, including an ACL tear in 2021 and a torn Achilles tendon in 2023.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
In the news today: AG report on company behind ArriveCan out today
In the news today: AG report on company behind ArriveCan out today Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed... AG report on company behind ArriveCan out today The latest probe into the company behind the controversial ArriveCan app is among four reports being released today by Canada's auditor general. Karen Hogan looked into all contracts awarded and payments made to GC Strategies for its work on the app to determine whether they were in line with government policy and whether the government got value for taxpayers' money. In September, the House of Commons unanimously agreed to ask Hogan to look into the contracts and her report is set to be tabled in the House around 10 a.m. ET. ADVERTISEMENT As of March 2024, GC Strategies — a two-man team which last week was banned from entering into contracts or real property agreements with the federal government for seven years — had received $100 million in federal government contracts since 2011. Hogan's previous report on the app's development found it did not deliver the best value to taxpayers and concluded that three federal departments disregarded federal policies, controls and transparency in the contracting process. Here's what else we're watching... Panthers rout Oilers 6-1, lead Cup final 2-1 Taking advantage of the Edmonton Oilers' worst performance in several weeks, the defending Florida Panthers pounced on mistakes to win 6-1 in a rout Monday and take a 2-1 series lead in the Stanley Cup final. Brad Marchand became the oldest player to score in each of the first three games of a final, while Sam Bennett added his NHL playoff-leading 14th goal after making a big hit on Edmonton's Vasily Podkolzin that contributed to the turnover to spring him on a breakaway. ADVERTISEMENT Marchand and Bennett have combined to score eight goals for Florida, which was dominant in just about every way. And it was not just Bennett and Marchand. Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart each got his first goal of the series, Aaron Ekblad scored to chase Skinner, and Evan Rodrigues added the exclamation point in the waning minutes. At the other end of the ice, Sergei Bobrovsky earned the 'Bobby! Bobby!' chants from a fired up Florida crowd. The two-time Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender known as 'Bob' was on his game for the very few quality chances the discombobulated Oilers mustered, making 32 saves. Australia sends help to battle Canadian wildfires As wildfires continue to burn from northwest Ontario to British Columbia, Canada is getting help from near and far, and very far. Southern Highlands - New South Wales Rural Fire Service in Australia says a 96-personnel-strong Australian contingent of firefighters and specialists have deployed to Canada for five weeks. ADVERTISEMENT The service says the deployment is in response to a request from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says in a tweet that, "When our mates need help, Australia is there." A post on social media platform X from the official account for the Australian High Commissioner to Canada, Kate Logan, says the crews "are on their way to support their Canadian colleagues battle wildfires in Alberta." Submissions continue at hockey players' trial Defence lawyers for five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team are set to continue their final submissions to the judge presiding over the players' sexual assault trial today. Court heard submissions Monday for lawyers representing Michael McLeod and Carter Hart, and counsel for the remaining three accused will get a turn before prosecutors present their submissions. ADVERTISEMENT McLeod's lawyer, David Humphrey, argued the complainant has presented an "entirely unbelievable and unreliable" version of the events at the heart of the trial. McLeod, Hart and their former teammates Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have pleaded not guilty to sexual assault. The charges relate to an encounter with a woman in a London, Ont., hotel room in June 2018, at a time when many of the team's members were in town for events celebrating their championship win. Cleanup rules hurting Alberta renewables: report A report says new cleanup rules for renewable energy sites are hurting the competitiveness of Alberta's industry. Business Renewables Centre-Canada analyzed the reclamation security requirements for renewables in 27 jurisdictions and found Alberta's are now the most costly. Under a code of practice for solar and wind projects published last week, the Alberta government says operators must provide an estimate for the cost of dismantling turbines and panels, removing underground concrete infrastructure, hauling waste away, replanting vegetation and other items. A 30-per-cent security is required upfront, rising to 60 per cent after 15 years to ensure there is enough money for proper cleanup at the sites' end of life. BRC-Canada says Alberta's upfront security requirement is unusually high and the rules don't take into account the salvage value of the concrete and metals that could be sold to recoup cleanup expenses. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025. The Canadian Press
The Hill
36 minutes ago
- The Hill
When a fox says ‘help' in London, there's often an ambulance on its way
PADDOCK WOOD, England (AP) — The injured fox is cornered in a cage, teeth bared and snarling at the woman trying to help it. Nicki Townsend is unfazed. Wearing only rubber gloves and an outfit suitable for a yoga class, she approaches with soothing words. 'All right, baby,' she coos as she deftly drapes a towel over his head, grabs him by the scruff of his neck, scoops up his wounded legs and moves him to a clean cage. It's not the way her day typically begins, but there's nothing routine about rescuing foxes. 'You can never predict what you're going to arrive at,' Townsend said. While not as visible as phone boxes or double-decker buses, the red fox is a fixture in London, a city not known for its wildlife. But living on the streets, alleys and back gardens of a dense urban environment can be rough and when foxes need help, they have their own ambulance service — and Townsend may be on her way. The foxes didn't invade London so much as adapt and expand their range inward as the city spread to their habitat in the 1930s and suburbs grew. But people and the bushy-tailed member of the canine family have not always lived in harmony, and the species has admirers and adversaries. For everyone enchanted seeing a fox trotting nonchalantly down their street at dusk or basking in a sunny backyard, there are plenty who see them as pests. They poop where they like, tear into garbage and the vixens in heat let out terrifying shrieks in the dead of winter when attracting a mate. 'It's like Marmite with foxes,' Townsend said, referring to the food spread that is an acquired and divisive taste. 'You either love them or hate them.' The divide between the two camps led Trevor Williams to found what became The Fox Project nearly 35 years ago. Once a bass player in the rock group Audience that opened for Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, Williams had been active in the campaign to stop fox hunting when he redirected his protection efforts to the city, where foxes were once routinely killed. 'Because of the myths that have occurred over the years, there's still a lot of suspicion about what foxes might be,' Williams said. 'You know, they're going to bite the baby, they're going to eat the cat, they're going to run away with your husband.' The project has since grown from providing information on deterring foxes to rescuing 1,400 a year, including 400 cubs, though only about half survive to be released. There are estimated to be 15,000 foxes in London. The project covers a swath of south London and its leafy suburbs while other organizations not devoted solely to foxes handle other parts of the city. While the omnivores survive on small animals, bugs and berries in the wild, they favor easily scavenged leftovers in the city and handouts that make them more dependent on humans. Their main urban menaces are cars, getting snagged in soccer nets or getting stuck in tight spaces. In their effort to get free, they often get nasty abrasions that can become infected. Many also suffer from mange, a parasitic infestation that leads to all kinds of problems. Townsend pilots her VW Caddy on city streets, highways and narrow lanes that roll through lush hills, responding to calls about injured or ill foxes or cubs that have lost their mothers. She's seen a bit of everything since her first humbling call 2 1/2 years ago when the supposedly injured fox bolted. 'In my inexperience, I chased after him, which is comical because you're never going to outrun a fox,' she said. 'I just remember he ran very fast and I looked silly running after him.' Despite many challenging situations — she once managed to rescue a fox that lost its footing atop a fence and ended upside down at eye level with its paw lodged between boards — she's only been bitten once. Her van carries the distinctly musky scent of foxes. The odor becomes unpleasant when an anxious passenger in a litter of cubs relieves itself enroute to being delivered to a foster care pen where they will stay until being released in the wild. 'Feel free to open the window,' said Townsend, who is accustomed to the stench. 'This is a stinky job.' On a recent day, she was dispatched to meet a heartbroken couple who found a cub with a puncture wound collapsed on their back lawn. 'We thought he was asleep at first, so we went to go and have a close look because we love them,' Charlotte English said. 'Then he just didn't move, so we knew something was wrong.' That cub had to be put to sleep, as did the adult Townsend transferred at the start of her shift. Cubs that recover are socialized in packs of five until they mature and are then released in a rural location while the adults are freed in the neighborhoods where they were found. Given a second chance, it's not clear how well the foxes fare, because they are rarely tracked. A 2016 study in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that rehabilitated foxes were more likely to behave as if they had been displaced when returned to their original territory. They were tracked wandering farther away, potentially exposing them to more traffic and greater stress. 'It is a gap in the knowledge and there's an assumption that when you release them, they thrive and I think that that assumption needs to be challenged more,' said Bryony Tolhurst, a University of Brighton honorary research fellow and lead author of the study. For Townsend, fox deaths are offset by the joy of seeing little ones venture into the unknown or an adult darting into a neighborhood it instantly recognizes. 'Sometimes they look back and people like to romanticize that they're saying 'thank you,'' she said. 'They're just making sure we're not chasing after them.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Report: Bengals releasing veteran linebacker after 6 seasons
The Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly parting ways with a veteran linebacker after six seasons. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Germaine Pratt was expected to be released by the team on Monday, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Advertisement The Bengals have not yet announced Pratt's release themselves. Pelissero said the move would give the team $5.6 million in salary cap savings. TRENDING STORIES: Pratt was drafted in the third round in 2019 and started 88 games over 66 seasons, according to the Associated Press (AP). The AP also reported that Pratt requested a trade during the offseason as he was entering the final season of a three-year contract. He finished ninth in the NFL in 2024 with 143 tackles, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. Pratt sealed the Bengals' first playoff win during the 2021 Super Bowl run with an interception in the final seconds against Las Vegas. It was Cincinnati's first playoff victory in 31 seasons. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
