Bengals Roster Breakdown: Mike Gesicki is poised to revitalize his career in Cincinnati

John Sheeran — Cincinnati Bengals News Writer

Aug 17, 2024 11:14 AM EDT

Throughout the summer leading up to the regular season, we will go through the entire 2024 Cincinnati Bengals roster. Every single day until the season opener against the New England Patriots, we will break down a player on the roster including his background, contract status, and path towards making the team.

Today, we examine new starting tight end Mike Gesicki. It's easy to forget how promising his career looked to be a few years ago. Where does he fit in the Bengals offense? How did his career path lead him to Cincinnati? Let's dive in.

Mike Gesicki

Age: 28
Year: 7th
Position: Tight end
College: Penn State
Previous Teams: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots
Jersey Number: 88

Gesicki was drafted by the Dolphins with the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent four years at Penn State and played every single season including 13 appearances as a true freshman in 2014 with one start. He caught at least one pass in nine games that season, leading to a starter's role for eight games in 2015 as a sophomore. He caught his first career touchdown that year, but only saw 11 more targets come his way compared to his freshman year. He started all 14 games as a junior in 2016 as he finally became a focal point of the offense, recording 48 receptions for 679 yards and five touchdowns on his way to Second Team All-Big Ten status. He got bumped up to First Team All-Big Ten as a senior in 2017 when he posted 57 receptions for 563 yards and nine touchdowns.

The scouting report on Gesicki was simple but promising. His impressive size and speed made him a prototype receiver at the tight end position, but he was never going to offer much in the run game as a blocker. The Dolphins understood that as they slowly integrated him into the passing game. Following a modest rookie season, he put up 51 receptions for 570 yards and five touchdowns in 2019, with all five scores coming in the final six games of the season. Two of them came against the Bengals in the same game that determined where Joe Burrow would end up as a pro. He took another jump in 2020 with 53 receptions for 703 yards and six touchdowns.

Gesicki's best season in Miami was his contract year in 2021 when he registered career-highs in receptions (73) and yards (780). He dropped only three of his 77 catchable targets as well. The Dolphins rewarded him with the franchise tag instead of a long-term deal, and his production dropped off dramatically in 2022, which was Mike McDaniel's first year as head coach.

The fit with the new offense in South Beach just wasn't there, so Gesicki went up the coast to spend a year with the Patriots. Little did he know how much his time would be wasted in that sham of an offense. 29 receptions for 243 yards and two touchdowns made up his least productive season since his rookie season as the Pats' turbulent quarterback situation led to a lost year. It was time for another change, this time with competency under center and at play-caller.

Contract details

Gesicki signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract this offseason. He will earn a base salary of $1.5 million for the 2024 season. He's already earned a guaranteed $400,000 as a roster bonus, and earned $100,000 as a workout bonus. He can earn up to $500,000 in per game roster bonuses as well. His cap number for the season is the same as the total value of his deal, which is exactly $2.5 million.

Roster outlook

Gesicki is the latest one-year rental tight end looking to have a career-year in Cincinnati. He's far more refined as a receiver than Irv smith Jr. has ever been, and has more upside in the role than Hayden Hurst possessed. How the Bengals utilize his skillset is the key variable.

There's a clear understanding that Gesicki isn't one for blocking. He should not be used as an inline player like new teammate Drew Sample. Will that impact how much he sees the field? It shouldn't considering the value Gesicki brings as a receiver. He's played most of his career snaps in the slot, and the Bengals are planning on using multiple players in that role to replace Tyler Boyd. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Gesicki take the most snaps at that spot.

It's been three years since Gesicki looked like the best version of himself. The Bengals have every reason to want that kind of season from their starting tight end, even if that label is fluid with his true role.

Projected role: Starter, big slot

Previous player breakdowns

Cincinnati Bengals