Broncos directly handed the Chargers a franchise-altering player

Sometimes, the best thing to happen to a team is missing out on a free agent who the fanbase adored. Just ask LA Chargers fans, who seven months ago, were mourning the loss of a tight end they never had on the roster.

Pass-catching tight end Evan Engram was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars this past offseason and appeared to be the perfect addition for Justin Herbert's offense. The Chargers made a play for Engram, but it wasn't enough. The talented tight end instead signed with the Denver Broncos on a two-year, $22.79 million contract.

It felt like the Chargers missed a massive opportunity, especially given how much cap space the team had. Heck, we were the first ones say the Chargers made a mistake. Now, nearly halfway through the 2025 season, it's clear that Engram choosing Denver over Los Angeles was a blessing.

This is partially due to Engram's lackluster season in Denver thus far. However, it has more to do with the arrival of rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II.

Chargers can thank Broncos for Oronde Gadsden II

Would the Chargers have still drafted Oronde Gadsden II in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft if they signed Engram? Maybe. After all, the Chargers did still make a tight end addition, Tyler Conklin, before drafting Gadsden.

That being said, Conklin was a one-year cheap flier, whereas Engram would have been more of a commitment. Heck, Engram would have been the most expensive free agent the Chargers signed had he come to LA on the same deal. With that level of commitment, perhaps the Chargers go a different direction than trading up for Gadsden.

Even if Gadsden still landed in LA, he probably would not be playing at this point in the season because of the money committed to Engram. Gadsden was a healthy scratch to start this season, after all, and that would have extended further.

Thankfully, Engram chose Sean Payton over Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers are better for it. Not only did the Bolts save money, but they landed a tight end who is younger and is arguably already more impactful than Engram.

Gadsden has 19 catches for 309 yards with two touchdowns just in the last three weeks alone. He has more receiving yards and touchdowns in the last three weeks than Engram has all season.

There's an alternate reality where Engram landed in Los Angeles, and by happenstance, Gadsden landed on the Broncos. Thankfully, that is not the reality we live in, as the Chargers are much better off for it.