The Bengals have re-signed TE Mike Gesicki to a 3 year/$25.5M deal, good for an AAV of $8.5M.
It is quite the raise for him, as he signed a 1 year prove it deal last offseason for less than half of that.
This past season, Gesicki was a complementary option in the offence, but his impact and ability shone through especially when Tee Higgins was out. In those games, he was a focal point, and was able to handle the load. His 65 receptions for 665 yards and 2 TD’s was a stark difference from his previous stint in New England, where a bottom tier offence stifled the receiving ability that he had previously put on display in Miami.
His lack of production/usage in New England was not the only thing that factored into his lower price last offseason. It was also the fact that he doesn’t offer much as a blocker, and is essentially a “big slot.” Nothing has changed in that regard, but as we know, it is a passing league these days, and getting to spend a year catching passes from Joe Burrow certainly raised his stock.
Gesicki will go into this coming season as the starter at TE, likely playing a similar role as he did last year, with pass catching being his main focus. Expect Drew Sample, or potentially Cam Grandy, to still have a role in the offence, with theirs being more blocking oriented. As well, Tenner Hudson could still get a small handful of targets, and Tanner McLachlan will be hungry to make his case, after spending most of his rookie season as a healthy scratch.
With Gesicki locked up, this is one more box checked off the to do list. Of course, there are still a couple of big name receivers that still need new contracts.
