It would be understandable if Evan Engram looked at the timing of the Giants’ breakthrough and allowed himself to wonder, “Why now?”
Why was he drafted on the heels of the Giants’ last winning season, forced to endure two failed rebuilds resulting in the worst record in the NFL over a five-year period and not retained just before the winning started? But that’s not the way that Engram — who will start at tight end Sunday for the Jaguars against his former team — is wired.
“I couldn’t be more excited for them,” said Engram, who phoned Daniel Jones, Sterling Shepard and Saquon Barkley a couple weeks ago to congratulate them on a fast start. “They’re just finding ways to finish the games that in the past we never knew how to finish. Saquon has played great, the line has protected D.J., the defense is playing lights out. That coaching staff, getting to know them a little bit, has them rolling. But definitely looking to humble them a little bit this week.”
Evan Engram signed with the Jaguars this past offseason. Getty ImagesA favorite of former Giants head coach Joe Judge, Engram trained in the Giants facility for about two months after last season ended and before his free agency opened in March. He met with general manager Joe Schoen, head coach Brian Daboll and tight ends coach Andy Bischoff to discuss his future.
“There were conversations. It just didn’t really work out when it came down to the negotiation stuff,” Engram told The Post. “I could [see] the reason they are now having success, just off the energy. There were some good conversations getting to know them, but when it came to free agency, just went in a different direction, went with my gut.”
Engram’s career started with a bang — career highs of 64 catches for 722 yards and six touchdowns — as a rookie first-round pick in 2017. But the next four seasons were marred by injuries and untimely dropped passes that unfairly turned him into the primary on-field target of fans.
“I’ve always lived knowing everything happens for a reason,” Engram said. “I don’t look back with any regret or ill will. I definitely wish a lot of those games went differently, but I learned so much and grew so much. I don’t think I get to where I am mentally, physically, emotionally at this moment without those hard times. I’m blessed to have spent five years there, and I’m blessed at a new chapter, too. Wouldn’t change a thing about it — except maybe a couple of those scores.”
The Jaguars spent about $260 million on free agents — including $9 million on Engram for his 24 catches for 208 yards through six games — and landed Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson to develop prized quarterback Trevor Lawrence and clean up the mess left behind by the fired Urban Meyer.
“It was a one-year deal, betting on myself and getting to go prove myself with Doug coming in,” Engram said. “Doug was a big part of it, with the history of his offense being really tight end friendly and the great years that [former Eagles tight end] Zach Ertz had in this system. I didn’t know Trevor well, but I knew of his potential and talent. That was a big part, too.”
Evan Engram spent the first five seasons of his career with the Giants. Getty ImagesThe Giants remade their tight end room with a blocking emphasis, though emerging fourth-round rookie Daniel Bellinger has 15 catches for 139 yards and three total touchdowns from scrimmage. So maybe it was a win-win separation.
“I’m playing with confidence. I’m flying around. I love this coaching staff — they have me doing a lot of things that my skill set matches up with,” Engram said. “The locker room is awesome: All the guys are locked in and easy to get along with. We’ve had a couple really good wins and some learning experiences, too. We’re on track to be a really good team, so I’m excited. We’ll see where it goes this offseason.”
Belief in the Jaguars (2-4) is strong enough that they are three-point favorites over the Giants (5-1).
“It is going to be a little weird, but I think I’ve gotten used to watching them on TV and seeing their scores,” Engram said. “Obviously playing against them is going to be a whole other level. I can’t wait to play in this game.”
