Mike Gesicki signing was no-brainer for Patriots with contract revealed
New England got a productive pass-catcher on a bargain.
The New England Patriots’ decision to sign tight end Mike Gesicki looks much better after seeing the full details of the contract he signed.
What first was reported as a one-year contract worth up to $9 million is exactly that. But that’s with heavy, heavy incentives.
Gesicki signed a one-year contract worth $4.5 million with a $2.4M signing bonus and $3.55 in total guarantees. His $1.15M base salary in 2023 is fully guaranteed, and he has $50k per-game roster bonuses a $100k workout bonus.
The deal includes $4.5 million in playing time, receptions and receiving yards incentives.
Gesicki played for over $10.9 million on the franchise tag last season. As ESPN’s Bill Barnwell tweeted, the wage gap between wide receivers and tight ends is growing larger and larger.
Gesicki had a down season last year being forced to play inline in Mike McDaniel’s Miami Dolphins offense, but he’s one season removed from combining for 126 catches, 1,483 yards and eight touchdowns between the 2020 and 2021 seasons when he spent the majority of his snaps in the slot and split out wide like a wide receiver.
It’s unclear what role Gesicki will play in New England, but the Patriots believe he can cause issues for other teams from a game-planning perspective.
Featured image via Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
