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Mike Gesicki says ‘opportunity’ will be most important factor during his free agency

Mike Gesicki

Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki offered a candid response when asked what he will be looking for in free agency this coming offseason.

Gesicki played the 2022 season on the franchise tag for the Dolphins, but he saw his role in the team’s offense diminish significantly under head coach Mike McDaniel.

A second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Gesicki saw just 52 targets during the regular season, reeling in 32 of them for 362 yards and five touchdowns. It was a major step back for Gesicki after a couple of promising seasons in Miami.

During the 2021 season, Gesicki saw a career-high 112 targets, 60 more than he received this season. In 2021, he caught 73 passes for 780 yards and two scores. The two seasons prior to that, Gesicki saw at least 85 targets in each, catching at least 51 passes.

It’s hard to blame the tight end for wanting a bigger role after seeing his production slashed in half in the 2022 season.

Part of the reason for the drop-off for Gesicki was the addition of star wideout Tyreek Hill, who had a terrific first season with the Dolphins.

Miami’s offense under McDaniel has been predicated a lot more on getting Hill and Jaylen Waddle the ball, leaving Gesicki as the odd man out in the passing game.

In Sunday’s playoff game against Buffalo, Gesicki caught two passes for 15 yards and a touchdown. His counterpart at tight end, Durham Smythe, had one catch for 20 yards. Smythe, a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, could be a potential replacement for Gesicki if he leaves in free agency in the offseason.

There should be plenty of suitors for Gesicki in free agency, as he is an athletic tight end who has shown he can thrive as a pass catcher when given the opportunity.

The Dolphins were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday, losing to the Buffalo Bills. The team fought hard despite having to play rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson, but it ultimately came up short.

This offseason will be an important one for the Dolphins as they look to build a perennial contender around Tua Tagovailoa, Hill, Waddle and some of their other important pieces.