It turns out that when former New York Giants tight end Evan Engram isn’t subtly throwing jabs at the Jacksonville Jaguars, he moonlights as a mentor to the up-and-comers. One 24-year-old has taken advantage of Professor Engram already this offseason during his time at Tight End University, and it might play a big role in his ascension in 2025.
Theo Johnson made the most of his trip to TEU this summer, learning from guys like George Kittle, Greg Olson, Travis Kelce, and yes — Engram. Not exactly the name Giants fans thought they'd hear when it comes to influence, but it seems to have paid off.
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Engram’s time in New York didn’t exactly inspire confidence in the position, but that doesn’t mean Johnson can’t pick up the good parts and leave the rest behind. At least that’s what he’s trying to do.
Theo Johnson’s breakout bid has shocking ties to Evan Engram
As reported by John Fennelly of Giants Wire, Johnson had some high praise for the former Giant: “I learned a lot from Evan Engram, how he moves and stuff, how smooth and fluid his movements are. I learned a ton from both of those guys [Engram and Kittle] and many others as well,” Johnson said.
That’s about as much praise as you’ll hear a second-year tight end give a guy who, unfortunately, never quite lived up to it in East Rutherford.
There’s no point sugarcoating it. Johnson didn’t wow anyone as a rookie. He caught 29 passes before a foot injury cut his season short, and drops were an issue. But he’s (somehow) added mass to his 6-foot-6, 265-pound frame this offseason, and looks smoother in and out of breaks, and he’s working toward a bigger and more consistent role.
The injury looks healed. He’s making catches in tight coverage. And when you’ve got Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart both looking for a big target across the middle, that matters. Johnson’s not a household name, but the way he’s trending, that might just change.
The Giants never really replaced Engram. They just kind of threw guys at the wall to see if they could stick — spoiler alert: they didn't. Johnson’s not there yet, but it’s not hard to see why people around the org are excited. If he can turn some of that Tight End U insight into production, this might finally be the year they stop recycling Band-Aids at tight end.
Johnson just needs to keep doing what he’s doing. If he keeps channeling what he picked up from Engram, the Giants might finally have another real weapon for Wilson.