Mike Gesicki did everything he needed to do in a contract season back in 2021. He achieved career-highs in receptions and receiving yards for the Miami Dolphins as a new contract awaited him in the offseason. He got the franchise tag instead.
Since then, it's been two years of underwhelming results for the talented tight end. His time in Miami flamed out, and playing on a one-year deal with the New England Patriots led to the worst season of his career.
He's now on another one-year deal, this time with the Cincinnati Bengals. Those past disappointments have led him to a place where all that waiting can pay off.
Gesicki told Kay Adams of Up & Adams over the weekend about how difficult the past two seasons have been for him since that '21 season.
What is the result of watching your production and involvement in the offense dwindle out of your control?
"It definitely builds a lot of patience," Gesicki said. "Because I went from a time where I had 70 catches in a season. I got hit with a franchise tag, and then the next season went down to, like, having like 50 targets, let alone 70 catches. So the opportunity goes down, and you just got to be patient and try to still be a good teammate and be ready when your opportunity does present itself."
Being phased out of South Beach with a new regime taking over meant a fresh start was needed, but he couldn't find that in New England as the offense was a disaster before the games were even played.
When the opportunity presented itself to go from Mac Jones to Joe Burrow this offseason, he knew where he needed to be .
"It didn't work out the way that anybody planned over in New England. But now [I'm] looking forward to being here."
Patience has been building aplenty for Gesicki, who's still 28 years old as he enters his seventh year in the league. There's no reason to believe he isn't capable of producing a season reminiscent of his early years with the Dolphins now that he's one of the top targets for a top quarterback . The Bengals haven't had a tight end of his caliber since Tyler Eifert was still here several years ago ; wasting his time is not in their plans.
Two years of waiting for better days is about to pay off for him, and he sounds very ready for it.
Related: Cincinnati Bengals training camp observations: Defense comes out with major energy on Day 9
Local Cincinnati, OH
Most Popular
Comments / 0