The New England Patriots search for a true Rob Gronkowski replacement has led to the franchise securing a deal for Mike Gesicki in free agency.
On Friday, widespread reports suggested the Pats had tied Gesicki down to a one-year deal worth $9million, with the tight end leaving the Miami Dolphins after four seasons. However, he endured a difficult and disappointing 2022 campaign under rookie head coach Mike McDaniel.
It is the second successive one-year deal for Gesicki after the Dolphins franchise tagged him last offseason. The 27-year-old appeared in each game for Miami but his role was ultimately minimised in McDaniel’s offence and his production sharply declined from 73 catches for 780 yards in 2021 to 32 catches for 362 yards last season.
Gesicki caught five touchdowns in the regular season as well as another in the playoffs, which highlights his ability as a red zone target. The Pats could utilise his talents after they traded Jonnu Smith to the Atlanta Falcons, but the franchise has ultimately been yearning for a Gronkowski replacement since he retired and then came out of retirement to be traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gronkowski was drafted by the Patriots back in 2010 and enjoyed unparalleled success alongside Tom Brady, catching 105 touchdown passes combined in the regular season and playoffs - the second-most between a duo in NFL history after Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison. When Brady joined the Bucs in 2020, Gronkowski came out of retirement and signed with the Florida franchise where he spent two seasons, winning Super Bowl LV before calling it quits.
Gronkowski, who starred at the University of Arizona in college, secured double-digit touchdown receptions five times during his nine seasons with the Patriots. He was unstoppable in the red zone due to his size and physicality while also being athletic enough to shed tackles in the open field, exploit openings in zones and beat linebackers in open field.
Even with an upcoming draft class littered with exciting tight end prospects, the Patriots will hope Gesicki can provide an immediate impact. Bill O’Brien, returning to the Pats as offensive coordinator for 2023, created a two-tight-end offence in the early 2010s that was incredibly productive, setting records with Gronkowski thriving alongside Aaron Hernandez. In fact, Gesicki was even recruited to Penn State by O’Brien, so there’s already a level of understanding of his game and what he can bring to New England.
When Gesicki starred at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Good Morning Football host Kay Adams compared Gronkowski to the upcoming rookie. She said: “They have a Polish last name. This is a cat who is taller than Calvin Johnson, stronger than Donald Penn, faster than Antonio Brown, jumps higher than Odell Beckham Jr. I think he had such an incredible combine that I think he should put himself on the map, and he can 360 dunk as well.”
Patriots fans will be over the moon if Gesicki even replicates some of Gronkowski’s production. During his Hall of Fame-calibre career, the 33-year-old recorded four Super Bowl victories, four All-Pro nods, five Pro Bowls and is sixth in all-time receiving yards at tight end (9,286) and third in career touchdowns (92). The former tight end achieved over 1,000 yards receiving in four seasons of his career.
