Patriots New TE Mike Gesicki Excited About Mac Jones: ‘Really Cool Dude’
FOXBORO — New England Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki has apparently had enough of working against a Bill Belichick-led defense.
In his first meeting with the New England media since signing a one-year deal worth up to $9 million with the organization in March, the 27-year old expressed his relief at now being aligned with his former rivals.
“Definitely glad I don’t have to be facing those guys [Patriots defense] anymore,” Gesicki told reporters at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.
After spending his first five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Gesicki signed as an unrestricted free agent, on what many have likened to a “prove-it” deal with the Pats. However, the veteran tight end made it clear that he far from settled when deciding to play in New England.
“Obviously, I have a little bit of history playing against this organization for the last five years,” Gesicki said. “I have a ton of respect for the way that things are run around here, and the tradition that is the New England Patriots. Great coaching staff. Good opportunity. I’m happy to be here.”
On the surface, Gesicki's signing a deal with the Pats immediately upgrades their offense. The 27-year-old is a gifted pass catcher, who has hauled in 62.4 percent of his passes, 18 of which went for touchdowns, during his five-year tenure with Miami. He possesses both the size and speed to be effective as a receiver out the slot, or even out wide.
Still, Gesicki was unable to find comfortable footing under coach Mike McDaniel’s scheme in Miami last season. As a result, he logged only 32 catches for 362 yards with five touchdowns. Still, the Penn State product compiled 1,483 receiving yards in 2020 and 2021 (combined) and has 18 touchdowns since 2019. By comparison, Patriots tight ends have found the end zone just 15 times over the past four seasons, with Hunter Henry responsible for nine of them in 2021.
Heading into 2023, Gesicki is looking to re-establishment himself as one of the NFL’s premier red-zone threats — a task which should be facilitated by playing within offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s schemes. Having been recruited by O’Brien prior to his commitment to Penn State, reuniting with his would-be college coach has currently lived up to expectation.
“OB [O’Brien] has a great system, and I think it’s exciting to get in the meeting rooms and hear how things are run,” said Gesicki. “Really excited to get to gel with him and get in this offense and get to work.”
While a change in strategy should help Gesicki in his quest, an on-field chemistry with his quarterback will ultimately play a greater role in his expected resurgence. In that department, he has already begun to establish a relationship with projected Pats starter Mac Jones.
“Really cool dude, really cool personality,” Gesicki grinningly said of Jones.” Love the energy and the juice that he brings out to throwing sessions. Great arm, accurate, all that kind of stuff.
“It was cool. I came up here and he [Jones] reached out to me. I ended up staying over at his house, Just kind of getting to know him, building that relationship, that chemistry. It was cool. It was a good opportunity.”
Though he may have participated in only a few throwing sessions to date, Gesicki sees potential in this Patriots offense. At the very least, he seems to be gaining useful knowledge in the capabilities of those occupying spots on the quarterback depth chart.
“The guys have been great,” Gesicki said with conviction. “Mac … Bailey [Zappe] was out there, too. It was good for a lot of guys to gain camaraderie and get to work.”
The addition of Mike Gesicki may not solve all of New England's scoring woes. However, his addition, along with that of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, shows that a new day is coming for the Pats offense in 2023.
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