The Miami Dolphins opted to slap the franchise tag on tight end Mike Gesicki earlier this offseason. After not agreeing to a long-term extension by the mid-July deadline, he is now set to play the 2022 season on a one-year tender that will net him $10.9 million. While he’s currently supposed to earn that dough working in the Miami offense, that could change by the time Week 1 rolls around.
The Dolphins have raised Gesicki’s name with other teams during trade talks, according to Pro Football Focus. While that hardly guarantees the tight end will be dealt with, as the report notes, it does highlight the team’s willingness to move him eventually.
Gesicki has spent his entire career with the Dolphins after drafting him in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, but it’s been a bit of a transition year for him because he’s essentially changing positions. Prior to this year, Gesicki was fielding and playing like a big wide receiver. Now, under new head coach Mike McDaniel, he works more like a traditional tight end who has more blocking obligations, similar to how the 49ers – McDaniel’s former team – use the tight end starring George Kittle.
In 2021, he lined up in the slot on 412 of Miami’s offensive snaps (most among tight ends), on 218 snaps, and as a tight end on 140 snaps.
So far this summer, Gesicki has had some trouble as a blocker. During Miami’s last preseason show against the Raiders, Gesicki was in charge of backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater who was fired for a second-quarter safety. With his hand in the dirt, Gesicki was slow on the snap and allowed the edge rusher for the Raiders to fly close to him and chase Bridgewater out of the pocket and into eventual safety.
While Gesicki could certainly be a solid part of Miami’s passing game, the fact that he may not be a good fit for this change in position may be what opens up the possibility of a trade. Of course, given that the $10.9 million cap has been hit, the Dolphins won’t cut it, but if a team needs a boost in the passing game, it looks like Miami is at the less willing to listen to offers.
Outside of Gesicki, the Dolphins tight end room currently consists of Durham Smythe, Hunter Long, Cethan Carter and rookie Tanner Conner.
