![Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) speaks during a press conference at Miller Electric Center Wednesday, April 9, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_80,w_6000,h_3375/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01jrenm2hs01p7chamw7.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) speaks during a press conference at Miller Electric Center Wednesday, April 9, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
Tight end Evan Engram was a key contributor for the Jacksonville Jaguars the past three years. However, they had to cut ties with him to address the larger scale roster. The silver lining is that they have a capable replacement in Brenton Strange, who did enough in 2024 to earn a bigger role next season. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence seems to agree, based on his latest comments.
Lawrence met with the local media during the team's offseason workouts and said that Strange is ready for a bigger role, praising him for the work he put in under Engram's guidance last year.
"Brenton is beyond ready, just the way he practices, the way he works," Lawrence said. "I do give a lot of credit to Evan. I think him, Brenton's a hard worker naturally, but coming in and being behind Evan, and having that kind of guy to look up to, and as far as Evan's work ethic and being out there early, staying late, putting in all the extra time, I think Brenton really fell in line with that and has kept that going."
Lawrence continued, "That piece of it makes you feel really good about him because he's doing everything the right way. And then, obviously, his talent on the field, I mean, he's a great blocker. He's nasty, physical, likes blocking like that's something that that he's good at and likes doing. And when he gets the ball in his hands, breaks tackles, he can run great hands. He's physical. He can do everything you need him to do, so I think he's beyond ready for this opportunity."
This isn't the first time Engram earns recognition for taking Strange under his wing. Ahead of the 2024 preseason finale, then-offensive coordinator Press Taylor praised the veteran tight end for his work ethic while pointing out that his younger counterpart followed his every step, jokingly stating that he was his shadow.
Once the season came, Engram got hurt, and Strange filled in for him. He ended with 40 receptions for 411 yards with two touchdowns, a notable improvement from what was a somewhat underwhelming rookie season.
With Engram out of the way, Strange is now poised for a breakout season. Below is Lawrence's exchange with the press corps. His remarks about the third-year tight end start at the 43:13 mark.
Related story: Trevor Lawrence shares updates about his recovery from shoulder injury
The Jaguars are putting Brenton Strange in a position to break out in 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars made it clear that they see Brenton Strange as their starting tight end when they released Evan Engram and replaced him with Hunter Long and Johnny Mundt in free agency. Both are capable backups, but neither will likely see extended playing time if Strange stays healthy. Sure, the Jags could draft another tight end, but Strange should be at the top of the depth chart for the foreseeable future.
Leaving aside that Engram is no longer in the mix, Strange will benefit greatly from catching passes from Trevor Lawrence, who'll be behind center after missing most of the second half of 2024. Granted, the coaching staff will build the offense around wide receivers Dyami Brown and Brian Thomas Jr. This will decrease Strange's target tally, but at the same time, it will leave him with favorable matchups underneath.
While a Pro Bowl nod may be unlikely in 2025, expect Brenton Strange to step in Evan Engram's place and deliver.