For Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki, the 2023 offseason will undoubtedly bring with it a new team, uniform, and home stadium for the pending free agent. The second-round pick out of Penn State in the 2018 draft has spent five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, playing the last of which under the franchise tag to the tune of $10.9M. However, the 2022 season would prove largely unproductive for the slot-receiver-esque tight end with GM Chris Grier confirming that he’d likely move on in a recent press conference.
With that confirmation, the time has come to speculate on where Mike Gesicki could (or should) land this off-season. Let’s take a look.
3 landing spots for Mike Gesicki in 2023 NFL free agency
Detroit Lions
I know what you’re thinking – isn’t this the same team that traded away T.J. Hockenson to a division rival last season? The thing is, Hockenson is about to enter his 5th-year option year and according to Spotrac will likely command a nearly $15 million per year salary when he signs his new contract. This tracks for a player that has proven to be both dynamic as a receiving threat and much improved as a blocker since joining the Vikings.
Mike Gesicki on the other hand, a pretty one-dimensional tight end, will likely command about $8M per season. Paired with second-year TE Brock Wright, who has shown improvement as a blocker, this tight end room could be much improved in 2023 from the post-Hockenson stretch.
Can you imagine a passing game that includes Goff, Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Mike Gesicki?
Green Bay Packers
With Aaron Rodgers possibly (likely?) on the move this off-season, a youth movement in Green Bay could be ushered in with Jordan Love at the helm. If true, Love’s first year as a starting quarterback could be bolstered by an improved receiving core that could, and probably should include Mike Gesicki.
While Mike Gesicki is technically a tight end, his receiving game is truly what makes him special. In his five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Gesicki has 231 receptions for 2,617 yards and 18 touchdowns. More importantly, he’s good for a 62.4% catch percentage at 11.3 yards per reception for his career. That’s a player worth adding to give a young, and inexperienced, quarterback a safety valve option in the receiving game.
Los Angeles Chargers
I realize that I could simply write Justin Herbert here and that would likely be enough to justify why I think the Chargers could/should sign Mike Gesicki.
The strong-armed Herbert hasn’t had a ton of talent at the tight-end position for most of his career and with aging weapons at wide receiver, he could benefit from a pass-catching tight-end of Gesicki’s caliber.
Yes, Gerald Everett had a career year this season with 555 yards and 4 touchdowns, both career highs, but the team could look to upgrade at the position by moving on from the tight-end who has an $8.25M cap hit this season and is entering his age-29 season.
While Miami fans would undoubtedly hate to see Gesicki go from Tua to Herbert, fantasy football fans would love it as he’d go from the third (or often lower) option in the passing game to potentially a near top-target for the Chargers.
Where do you think Mike Gesicki ends up this off-season? Would like him to suit up in your favorite team’s uniform this season? Let me know in the comments below!