There’s only one ‘Joker’ in Denver, and he plays basketball for the Nuggets. Veteran tight end Evan Engram has another focus – finally becoming the solution for the Denver Broncos at a position that the football team hasn’t been able to solve in years.
Hot off the heels of the Broncos’ first playoff appearance since 2015, fans were thrilled to see the Broncos once again headed in the right direction. Head coach Sean Payton kicked off the offseason by suggesting that he was looking for a free agent or rookie receiver to play what he called “the joker.” Immediately, fans – and many media members looking for a new catchphrase – turned the off-hand remark into all but a new position, dominating Broncos discourse as free agency began. Payton later clarified in multiple interviews that the ‘joker’ merely referred to a player who was explosive and unpredictable in space with the ball, but in our meme-driven culture, the door was already opened – and then-free-agent Engram drove right through it.
— Evan Engram (@eazyengram) March 13, 2025
Fans were thrilled with Engram’s signing, and rightly so, but he won’t be creating a new position in Denver, as he explained at training camp on Friday. “They love the ‘Joker’ thing, for sure,” Engram said, before explaining that the reality is a lot more… ordinary. “I definitely think the fans and you guys [in the media] are having a lot more fun with it. Whatever you guys want to perceive it as, you guys have that. I just see that as being reliable, being clutch, making plays and just doing my job at the highest level. Whatever I’m asked to do in the run game, in the pass game, in the locker room and in the weight room. Just doing my job at the highest level.”
A million memes were instantly dashed – who are we kidding, of course they won’t be – but Engram went on to explain the reality of what the Broncos and Payton expect from him. “[The] mentality for me to come out and improve… so I can be a well-rounded tight end,” Engram detailed. “I think it’s really important to have that mentality in the running game, but also be really sharp and have attention to detail within the schemes and the minor details that I need to be sharp to be successful. [There’s] a lot of work to be done in that area, [but there are] great coaches here, and a great mentality here; being dogs in the running game and having that physical mentality.”
Engram isn’t renowned as a blocker, given his receiver build at the tight end position, but is ready and willing to contribute to a running game that was one of the NFL’s least effective last season. “A lot of people look down and kind of doubt my run-blocking skills, kind of take it for granted when I’m on the field and might think it’s more pass-heavy stuff.”
Engram was the only Broncos player wearing pads on Saturday, clearly fired up to practice in front of his new fans, something he alluded to the day before. “The fans have been great, especially on social media,” he said. “Even my family is getting a lot of support. I’m just very blessed to be here in a great organization and be a part of great fan base. I’m looking forward to giving them a great product on the field as a whole team.”
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is a big part of the reason fans are so enthusiastic. Engram counts himself as one already, and listed what he’s observed from his new teammate. “Attention to detail, his focus, his drive to get one percent better every day, and his camaraderie with his teammates. He’s not afraid to speak up, he’s not afraid to challenge you – and he challenges himself at the highest level. That gives some ground to challenge others. I’m very impressed with him, very blessed to be a part of his team and be his teammate. The sky’s the limit with that type of mentality. The way he works? The talent will take care of itself.”
For Nix, the feeling is swiftly growing mutual. The tight end has always been something of a security blanket for quarterbacks, but in today’s game, the faster-than-linebackers and bigger-than-safeties position has become one in which the league’s most dynamic and game-changing players are often on display. The Broncos’ second-year signal-caller hinted at those possibilities after Saturday’s practice. “I’m excited to have Evan; he’s a great football player. He’s had a lot of great plays over time; a lot of experience. I’ve learned a lot from him already just from a couple of practices, OTAs and now. Just excited to go through the season with him.”
Engram isn’t worried about being the ‘joker’ in the Broncos offense; he’s just trying to become the best version of himself. “I’m just addicted to getting better,” he explained. “I never want to put a ceiling or a limit on the evolution of my game. There’s always something I want to improve. I’m constantly chasing perfection. Perfection is impossible, but the closer I can get, the harder it is to beat me – and the more I help my team. That’s just the mentality I have. I constantly want to learn. I want to be a great leader, but also, I can be led as well. I’m just in a great place here; just the mentality we have here at getting better every single day, 1% better. It’s just the way I am, and it feels good to be in a place that matches that.”
For Broncos fans, Engram’s addition promises more explosive offense and another option for Nix as Denver continues to ascend in the AFC pecking order, even if folks probably ought to ease off the silly catchphrase; Payton, Engram and Nix aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel – they’re trying to refine the ones they have.
If, however, fans are still looking for a “Joker,” fortunately, there’s no need; the best basketball player on the planet plays in Denver already.
