Patriots' Tight End on 2023: 'Disappointed In Myself'
Mike Gesicki was one of the top tight ends last offseason, and the New England Patriots were able to lure him away from the division rival Miami Dolphins on a one-year deal.
Unfortunately, Gesicki didn't have quite the impact he or the Patriots hoped he would've. The 28-year-old played in all 17 games and started 10, but had just 29 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns for one of the worst statistical seasons of his career.
During the Patriots' exit interviews on Monday, Gesicki shared his disappointment over how his first, and possibly only, season in New England transpired.
Mike Gesicki
“I had a lot of high expectations for myself coming in here, and I’m just disappointed that I couldn’t, or didn’t, leave more of a mark on the field," Gesicki told reporters. "Whether it was some of the circumstances, whether it was opportunity, whether it was — we got a lot of playmakers in this building [and] there’s only one football. But I did have high expectations for myself.
"I hold myself to a high standard, and I would have loved to make more plays and be the guy that I know I am, and a lot of these coaches, which is why they brought me here.”
Gesicki was far from the only reason why the Patriots' offense underperformed, though. Poor quarterback play, receivers not getting open, scheme issues and more all contributed to perhaps the worst offense the Patriots have ever seen.
Despite all that, Gesicki isn't one to toss blame around now that the season's over.
“There was always opportunity in the game plan, and all that kind of stuff. So, it wasn’t the coaching, it was just how the game goes, unfortunately.”
Wherever he winds up next, Gesicki is committed to making sure this season was just an anomaly and getting back to the potential he showed in Miami.
“I’m going to attack this offseason harder than I’ve ever attacked an offseason, because I’m 28 years old going on Year 7, and I feel like I’m 22 and I just got drafted,” Gesicki said. “I’m ready to go. I’m ready to have my best year next year, and be ready to go, make some plays, and have some fun out there.”
