Evan Engram's time with the Giants was star-crossed. Now we'll see how far both have come

EAST RUTHERFORD - For five seasons, the New York Giants were all Evan Engram knew in the NFL.

He took tremendous pride in the 'NY' on his helmet despite the roller coaster nature of his tenure with the franchise.

Three different head coaches. Four different tight ends coaches.

A lot of challenges, too many injuries and far too much losing to anyone's liking, including his own.

So when Engram and his new team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, welcome the 5-1 Giants to TIAA Bank Field on Sunday, they will get an opportunity to see a different team than the one that never seemed to get it right when he was here.

"It's no revenge. Got a lot of love for that franchise and that team," Engram told reporters with a smile Thursday in Jacksonville. "They treated me well for five years. I’m excited to see those guys. I’m definitely excited to compete against them, for sure. It’s going to be a fun game for me to play."

Engram, 28, signed with the Jaguars in March after catching 262 passes for 2,828 yards and 16 touchdowns in the previous five seasons with the Giants. He will face his former team for the first time, and there is something to be said about seeing the version of Big Blue that he'd always hoped to become while he was with them.

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"We were always in those close games, but we never knew how to finish them," Engram said. "And that’s what they’re doing now – they’re rolling. They’re finishing those games, those games that are coming down to the fourth quarter pretty much every week, and they’re finishing ‘em out."

Engram's time with the Giants certainly felt star-crossed. He was the final first-round pick of former general manager Jerry Reese's tenure, viewed as the missing piece to an offense that featured Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard, one that lost a playoff game in Green Bay in Ben McAdoo's first season.

When Engram arrived, the Giants were coming off an 11-5 season. He quickly became a sore spot for fans on social media through injuries and inconsistency, and that angst for the team devolved into anger for the player, admittedly wearing down the introspective Engram at times.

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The flaws in Engram's game won't be forgotten by a fan base that was sold on how he would change the offense the way elite playmakers at the position have. There was no escape from injuries. He was named a Pro Bowler in 2020, a surprising development given that was the most challenging season of his career, defined by the plays he was unable to make.

Engram was booed at home a lot early last season, especially when he was unable to complete a catch in a game against the Broncos. Later that game, when Engram trotted to the sideline, the MetLife Stadium crowd cheered, offering up the Meadowlands version of a Bronx jeer.

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With the Jaguars, Engram has become a favored target of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He has caught 24 passes for 208 yards with no touchdowns in six games, and the Jaguars' offense is ranked 11th in the NFL in total yards after ranking 27th last season.

"I know he's excited to play those guys," Lawrence said of Engram. "Just seeing his preparation, he's one of our hardest workers after practice, during practice, just always getting extra reps. I'm sure there's a little bit more emotion behind that this week playing his old team. It should be that way every week, but I definitely think he's excited for this one. We all are. Big opportunity, good team coming in here."

The Giants don't need any reminders that Engram's worst experience as a pro came with his current head coach, Doug Pederson, on the opposite sideline inside Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Perfect throw. A game ender from Daniel Jones.

And the pass went through Engram's fingers, breathing life into an eventual Eagles' rally that crushed the Giants two years ago.

"His route-running ability and overall leadership are things that I’ve seen. Very unselfish player," Pederson said. "He does whatever it takes to help us try to win football games and he’s been great in that way."

The Giants get to be the ones out to stop Engram's production Sunday, and if he fails to deliver, they'll be the beneficiaries.