It seems as though former Penn Stater tight end Mike Gesicki is having a rough time with the Miami Dolphins. Gesicki was the lone starter who played into the second half of the Dolphins’ latest NFL preseason game, a true rarity for a starter in the NFL’s preseason. Gesicki playing into the second half did not go unnoticed as speculation about his future with the franchise continued to grow.
Gesicki did not do much to calm the naysayers with his performance, and the frustration was visible to those watching during and after the game. The Dolphins have a new head coach in Mike McDaniel, in his first year as a head coach after being the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. And with the new offensive-minded coach in Miami, the early indications are the former Nittany Lions tight end standout is having a rough time adjusting to the new system.
Take a look at some of these tweets from the Dolphins’ preseason game on Saturday and you can see things are not going particularly well for Gesicki.
Tua literally hit Mike Gesicki between the numbers — but Gesicki wasn't ready for the ball.
Dolphins punt
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) August 20, 2022
Mike McDaniel said Mike Gesicki was frustrated with how his night went. Why he stayed in the game. Mike says Gesicki just needs to keep continuing to be committed to the pass catch and blocking game.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) August 21, 2022
Mike Gesicki is the last Dolphins starter playing deep into 2nd quarter of preseason game tonight. It’s been a struggle to get him involved in new offense so far this summer.
Gesicki has 2 catches for 11 yards on 5 targets today and a couple of missed blocks.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 21, 2022
Back in the locker room.
Mike Gesicki when asked about playing the whole first half: Says he’s been playing wide receiver for the last few years. Now he’s being asked to play tight end. “I need the reps.” pic.twitter.com/Txgkiy8ayF
— Ruthie Polinsky (@ruthiepolinsky) August 21, 2022
Gesicki was signed to a franchise tag contract by the Dolphins as he enters the fifth year of his NFL career. Gesicki started nine games each of the past two seasons and had just two touchdown catches last season. But despite the franchise tag being applied, there are concerns Gesicki may not even be a starter for the team this fall.
But Gesicki isn’t worried about any of that speculation. Instead, he is focused on working on his ability to play a role in the new offense.
“It’s definitely a whole different offense, a whole different scheme. I’m learning a new position, honestly,” Gesicki said after the preseason game, according to The Miami Herald. “I played receiver last year, I played receiver the last three, four years. I’m playing tight end now. Any reps I can get live out there, blocking, putting my hands on another guy and going out there and working hard and blocking and honestly just working on my footwork, my hand placement, all that kind of stuff. Any reps I can get at that, I can use it.”
Simply put, Gesicki’s role in Miami is worth paying close attention to as we approach the start of the NFL’s regular season.
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