Denver Broncos, 2x Pro Bowler named a ‘perfect marriage’

Last year, the Denver Broncos took a sizable leap forward by landing franchise quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He, under coach Sean Payton’s tutelage, led the Broncos to a surprise 10-7 season that commenced with a playoff trip.

Ever since the offseason kicked off, the Broncos have operated with a sense of urgency, buying low on potentially high-impact players. One of their free agency signings is now being called a “perfect marriage” between the player and his new team.

Related: 2025 NFL mock draft: Who should the Broncos draft in the first round?

Denver Broncos get tight end with ‘gaudy potential’ in Evan Engram signing

The Denver Broncos have signed a trio of key additions: linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga, and tight end Evan Engram. Halanoa is a former All-Pro who, along with Greenlaw, helped the San Francisco 49ers make a Super Bowl appearance in 2023. Yet, it’s the Engram signing that’s drawing more praise.

Engram, a two-time Pro Bowl tight end, was recently released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. It didn’t take long for the versatile 30-year-old to find a new home in Denver, signing a two-year contract worth up to $23 million with the Broncos.

While the Jaguars no longer deemed Engram to be worth their investment, NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks recently declared the Engram-Broncos pairing as a “perfect marriage.”

“The ultra-productive pass catcher is the hybrid tight end Sean Payton has sought since he arrived in Denver in 2023. As a crafty route runner with the speed and quickness to win on vertical or horizontal routes against linebackers and safeties, Engram should divert attention away from Courtland Sutton as a playmaker between the hashes. He is coming off an injury-shortened campaign but nearly eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in his last fully healthy season, in 2023. If Engram quickly develops chemistry with second-year quarterback Bo Nix as a reliable chain-mover, the two-time Pro Bowler could post gaudy numbers in a quarterback-friendly system that relies on tight end production.”

Engram peaked in 2023 with the Jaguars, hauling in 114 receptions for 963 yards and four touchdowns. Yet, he was held to just 365 yards on 47 receptions while injuries limited him to nine games last season.

If Engram can return to health, the Broncos may have indeed just gotten a steal, especially if he’s just what coach Payton has been looking for.

Related: NFL Power Rankings 2025: Offseason evaluations before the 2025 NFL Draft

The Broncos signed Dre Greenlaw, one of the best linebackers in the NFL over the last few seasons.

Good morning, Broncos Country!

The Denver Broncos finally have a middle linebacker.

And not just any middle linebacker; one of the best in the NFL in Dre Greenlaw, who Denver signed this week as a free agent. It’s been a minute since the Broncos defense had this kind of middle linebacker. No offense to Todd Davis, but Denver hasn’t had a middle linebacker like Greenlaw since Al Wilson.

That’s how long it’s been since the Broncos have had a dominant middle linebacker.

Greenlaw’s injury history is the biggest concern or question surrounding this signing. But Sean Payton, George Paton, and Greg Penner wouldn’t make this deal if there were issues with Greenlaw’s health. Also, remember that Denver now has one of the best health and training programs in the NFL. Since Payton became head coach and brought with him Beau Lowery as the vice president of player health and performance, the Broncos have turned the page from being one of the worst in that area to arguably the best in the league (knock on wood).

When he’s healthy, there is no denying how good and menacing Greenlaw is on defense. And it’s something Denver has lacked in a major way for so long.

The veteran defender spent the first six years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers, where he started 56 games. He totaled 455 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, three interceptions, 14 passes defended, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a pair of defensive touchdowns.

For what it’s worth, according to Pro Football Focus, Greenlaw has recorded an 82.6 coverage grade since the start of 2022, which ranks fourth among linebackers with a minimum of 1,000 coverage snaps. PFF also graded him as the top available free-agent linebacker.