The New England Patriots experienced a turnover at the tight end position this offseason when they lost Mike Geisicki to the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the Patriots have since acquired former Bengals tight end Mitchell Wilcox, signing him on Monday.
While Wilcox’s addition adds depth to the team, it does not fully compensate for the departure of Geisicki. Wilcox, an undrafted free agent from South Florida in 2020, spent four seasons with the Bengals, recording 29 receptions for 211 yards and a touchdown in nine games.
As the Patriots approach the upcoming draft on Thursday, bolstering their tight end depth remains a priority. Currently, the team’s tight end roster includes Austin Hooper, Hunter Henry, and La’Michael Pettway alongside the newly acquired Wilcox.
In 2023, Wilcox signed a one-year deal with the Bengals worth $1.04 million, but he participated in just four games that year. Despite limited playing time at the tight end position, the Bengals frequently utilized him on special teams, with Wilcox featuring in over 56% of the snaps in each of the previous three seasons.
he New England Patriots have announced the signing of tight end Mitchell Wilcox, as reported by Mike Reiss
Alongside the signing of tight end Mitchell Wilcox, the New England Patriots held workouts for two other tight ends on April 19. These players included Brycen Hopkins, a former member of the Los Angeles Rams, and Sean McKeon, who previously played for the Dallas Cowboys. The workouts were reported by Howard Balzer of SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Mike Geisicki Didn’t Reach Expectations With Patriots
During the 2023 season, the Patriots’ offense struggled, averaging just 13.9 points and 295.2 yards per game. Tight ends played a significant role in the passing attack, accounting for 84 receptions, 871 yards, and nine touchdowns.
Hunter Henry, in particular, contributed significantly with 42 receptions for 419 yards and six touchdowns. However, Mike Gesicki, who joined the Patriots from the Miami Dolphins, did not meet expectations, recording 29 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Pharaoh Brown also contributed with 13 receptions for 208 yards and a touchdown.
Despite Gesicki’s underperformance with the Patriots, the Cincinnati Bengals signed him to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million. Gesicki’s impressive statistics during his five seasons with the Dolphins, where he recorded 231 receptions for 2,617 yards and 18 touchdowns, likely influenced the Bengals’ decision to sign him.
Patriots Could Also Turn to Bengals in WR Search
Mitchell Wilcox, a former Bengals tight end, is not the only player from Cincinnati who could potentially join the Patriots.
Wide receiver Tee Higgins has been rumored to be a trade target for New England due to his request for a trade this offseason amid a contract dispute and receiving the franchise tag. The Bengals will pay Higgins $21.81 million this year under the tag, and he could potentially command an annual salary of up to $18.6 million or a four-year, $74.4 million deal.
Despite the persistent trade rumors, Higgins has expressed his anticipation for a return to the Bengals this year, stating that he has developed a love for Cincinnati. The Patriots have also been seeking to improve their wide receiver position after a disappointing passing game in 2023, which only produced 16 touchdowns, with only five coming from receivers.
Demario Douglas, the Patriots’ leading receiver, did not score any touchdowns despite his 49 catches for
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