Bengals TE Mike Gesicki ‘open to coming back’

Should the Bengals bring back Mike Gesicki this offseason?

Is the revolving door at tight end about to shut for the Cincinnati Bengals?

When the Bengals signed Mike Gesicki in free agency last offseason, there was hope that he could be the last veteran who sticks around for the short-term before going on to bigger contracts elsewhere.

Fast forward to now, Gesicki has 42 catches for 460 yards and two touchdowns as a key part of the offense.

And he’s “open to coming back,” according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.

“If that would be the narrative, sure,” Gesicki said, per Hobson. “For me, I’ve been the same player putting in the same work, putting in the same time. I just haven’t had the ball come my way the last couple of years. I’ve been targeted a little more and I don’t take it for granted. I wish we could have changed the end of some games, but I come in every day with a smile on my face. For the opportunities that are presented, it’s really enjoyable.”

Gesicki isn’t playing a huge snap count by any means, but we’re talking about an offense with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Yet his impact has been felt, and it’s not a small feat to sit third on the team in receiving at 11 yards per catch.

The Bengals seem to really like prospects like Cam Grandy and
Tanner McLachlan on the back end of the depth chart, but if the price is right for both parties, it’s easy to see the Bengals bringing back Gesicki, too.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals lose star to 49ers in 2025 free agency projections

This would be a pretty big setback for the Bengals.

When it comes to the 2025 offseason and free agency for the Cincinnati Bengals, the conversation seems to fixate on Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for obvious reasons.

Chase, of course, needs an extension, while Higgins could leave on the open market.

As such, it’s a little easy to forget about names like B.J. Hill.

Bleacher Report hasn’t — and just projected that Hill will leave the Bengals for the San Francisco 49ers in free agency:

Hill will turn 30 in April, but remains one of the league’s more disruptive interior defenders when fully healthy. He recorded 26 solo tackles and 4.5 sacks while starting all 17 games for the Bengals in 2023.

It would be a pretty big setback for the Bengals. The team hopes rookies Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson are the future on the interior, yes. But Sheldon Rankins has been a bust of a free-agency signing so far and depth beyond that is pretty much zero.

Yet, Hill could indeed be one of those guys they have a hard time bringing back, especially considering other factors like free agents such as Mike Hilton and a name like Trey Hendrickson possibly wanting an extension.

That’s all before considering major investments necessary to bolster the pass-rush and a disaster of a secondary, too.

So yes, the Bengals could lose Hill to a team like the 49ers. And it just joins the long list of potential issues to keep in mind ahead of a critical offseason.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]