The Miami Dolphins are reportedly keen to trade star tight end Mike Gesicki, who was franchise tagged earlier this year on March 8. The Dolphins have “brought up” the Gesicki trade talk and are willing to engage in such talks with other teams, as per Pro Football Focus’ Doug Kyed.
Gesicki will remain with the team this season via a one-year contract worth $10.9 million. However, his potential trade report could cut his time short in Miami. For now, the Dolphins are likely waiting for a trade partner until Week 1 of the regular season.
There were also concerns that the player was not fond of his new all-around TE role under first-year head coach Mike McDaniel. The new position involves more blocking than him playing wide receiver under former coach Brian Flores.
Miami has been quite busy this month. On August 9, the team planned to trade former Chicago Bears TE Adam Shaheen and a seven-rounder for 2023 to the Houston Texans in exchange for a six-rounder pick the same year. However, the trade was canceled since Shaheen failed a physical test.
Gesicki’s career in Miami
Gesicki, a product of Penn State Nittany Lions, was drafted with the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The 2016 Third Team All-Big Ten signed a four-year, $6.61 million contract with the team, including a $3.66 million guaranteed and $2.88 million signing bonus.
The team used the franchise tag on him, keeping him from entering the free agent market. Reportedly, the tag was used after both parties failed to reach an agreement on a possibility of a long-term extension ahead of the July deadline this year, CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan reported.
He entered the team as a WR and played in that position until Flores’ departure last year. The 26-year-old admitted he had difficulty playing TE but said he would be learning more about it this season.
Playing the Las Vegas Raiders this summer, the New Jersey native was sacked for safety in the second quarter while he was tasked to assist quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Sullivan said Gesicki was “slow off the snap” and the Raiders’ rushers were able to run past him and take out Bridgewater.
This appears to be why Gesicki could be traded by the Dolphins, as the team wanted to sign a proper TE instead of a less capable one for the upcoming season. As for whether or not Miami would cut him from the lineup, the possibility of it taking place is close to zero, considering the player has a $10.9 million cap hit.
“The Dolphins, of course, would not cut Gesicki, who’s playing on a fully guaranteed franchise tag this season, but a trade isn’t out of the question,” Kyed wrote.
“In fact, the Dolphins have “brought up” Gesicki’s name to other teams, a league source told PFF. That doesn’t mean anything will transpire, but Miami has been willing to engage in conversations.”
Gesicki could still contribute to the team via his passing skill. Aside from him, the team has four other TEs—Durham Smythe, Hunter Long, Cethan Carter, and Tanner Conner.