Tight end Mike Gesicki has had the opportunity to work with several quarterbacks throughout his six-year career, including five in the past two seasons.
However, the recently acquired Bengals tight end already senses a unique quality in quarterback Joe Burrow, expressing this week that he has never experienced such talent in the huddle before.
Describing his interactions with Burrow, Gesicki mentioned, “He’s been exceptional. I’ve been able to communicate with him and engage in discussions. He’s a leader in the locker room that many players admire. I’m definitely one of those players who looks up to him. I’ve heard positive feedback about him as a teammate. He’s approachable and has a good sense of humor.”
Burrow and Gesicki will need to wait a bit longer before they can start practicing together, as the quarterback is still recovering from a torn wrist ligament that prematurely concluded his 2023 season.
Once they take the field together, the Bengals view the addition of the tight end as a valuable asset for an offense that has been lacking a true threat at the TE position recently.
No Cincinnati tight end has surpassed 500 receiving yards in Joe Burrow’s four seasons, and the group lacked a consistent top performer last year, with Tanner Hudson’s 352 yards leading the position despite starting only one game.
Tight ends coach James Casey believes that incorporating Gesicki into the mix could introduce a fresh dimension to Burrow’s already formidable passing game.
“When you have an above-average pass-catching tight end, it provides flexibility. You can utilize him in various receiving roles. Mike has demonstrated his ability in those areas,” Casey explains. “I’ve witnessed him make explosive plays over the past five years. He can dash across the field, excel on crossing routes with his speed and size advantage to generate separation and make crucial catches. Moreover, he can excel in the red zone and down the seam.”
Gesicki, initially drafted by the Dolphins in 2018, spent his initial five seasons in Miami, starting 31 games during that period. He achieved over 700 receiving yards in a season twice and in 2021, he ranked fifth among tight ends with 73 receptions, marking a career high.
While his productivity has declined in the last two seasons—registering 32 catches for 362 yards in his final Miami season and 29 catches for 244 yards in New England—amidst struggles in the 31st-ranked offense, the 29-year-old Gesicki remains confident in his ability to regain his previous form, particularly with Burrow as his quarterback.
“With a new team, new coaching staff, and new quarterback, it’s a fresh start for me. I need to earn trust by showcasing my capabilities and seizing more opportunities once the game kicks off. It’s still only April, a long road lies ahead,” Gesicki states.
The Bengals, like most other teams in the league, commence their offseason workout program on Monday, April 15
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