The Denver Broncos have plenty to celebrate entering Week 6 with a tilt against the New York Jets in London up next. Most of all, the Broncos can celebrate the fact that they overcame adversity, including friction between one star player and head coach Sean Payton.
Payton has never been known as a “players’ coach” in the traditional sense, but he has generally been well-regarded by those who play for him.
That makes the friction that Payton had with tight end Evan Engram even more notable.
Evan Engram Was At Odds With Sean Payton
GettyEvan Engram #1 of the Denver Broncos throws during a timeout against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Engram signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Broncos in free agency this past offseason, and he and Payton both expressed confidence in how the two-time Pro Bowler and former No. 23 overall pick of the 2017 draft would be used.
However, Engram entered Week 5 with eight receptions for 62 yards on 13 targets.
Engram logged four catches for 33 yards and 1 touchdown during the Broncos’ Week 5 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I appreciate hard coaching, I don’t like it any other way,” Engram told reporters on October 5. “I like to be coached hard, and Sean definitely lets you know whenever he’s upset, or lets you know it even when he’s excited and happy, too. So, it was just good to just start getting involved. And just help offense.”
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“I got pissed at him, and he was pissed at me. Then nothing. I just got after him a little just because I knew that he hadn’t gotten the touches,” Payton told reporters after the Broncos’ victory on October 5.
“Then it was like, ‘All right, let’s find these throws real quick.’ And he responded, and it was kind of a good thing. But we got to – listen, he’s a great weapon. He made some big plays. Obviously, the touchdown, he’s not the primary. Guy’s in the quarterback’s face. He made some big plays for us.”
Engram’s injury history proved telling, with a back injury costing him one game this season.
Still, his usage was disappointing before that, and even a calf injury that hindered him before he injured his back.
Sean Payton Delivered Reality Check About Evan Engram
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton calls a play against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Payton’s offseason rhetoric gave way to reality during the week leading up to the Eagles game, with the veteran head coach pointing out that Engram’s usage was not at the top of their list of concerns relative to the outcome of games. He has been through similar situations before.
Before it was Jimmy Graham or even Michael Thomas with the New Orleans Saints.
Now, it is Engram, but Payton noted that Broncos WR1 Courtland Sutton could also face similar stretches. Payton also previously praised what Engram brings to the Broncos’ offense when he is on the field.
Sean Payton says Evan Engram is HEALTHY and ready to go, and also gave some insight on where the Broncos might use the Joker 👀
“I think a lot of it is the script. And, no, there’s times where, yeah, you definitely look to involve them. But we don’t come off a game like last week and then look at who got touches. We’re not playing the fantasy game. We’re trying to win,” Payton said during his media availability on October 2.
“It’s not intentional. These guys are going to cloud [cover] Courtland. They’re going to put their best corner on them at times. And so, some of that is how that game unfolds.”
Evan Engram Preached Patience
GettyEvan Engram #1 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Engram preached patience, telling reporters in September that it is “a day-by-day thing, honestly. And just the work being put in each and every day, really learning the offense, learning the specifics, getting on the same page with Bo [Nix], learning the details from Sean. It definitely takes some patience. It definitely takes time to build something great.
“But we have such a great team, a bunch of great minds here. And working really hard, and just looking forward to coming in and leaving a mark as much as I can.”
Trautman 31 snaps, Engram 30 snaps, Nate Adkins 27 snaps.
But Engram got hot in the second half and appears to found his groove with the Broncos
Notably, Engram logged five fewer snaps in Week 5 than he did in Week 4, when he played a season-high 35 reps against the Cincinnati Bengals. Perhaps Engram’s interaction with Payton can spark an even greater offensive run for the tight end.
The Jets are Engram’s next chance at his true breakout game with the Broncos.
Pro Bowl Playmaker Sends Clear Message After Clash With Broncos HC Sean Payton