FOXBORO, Mass. — After two years of teasing, the Patriots might finally be preparing to embrace a two-tight end offense this season.
Among New England’s highest-profile offseason additions was Mike Gesicki, the receiving-focused tight end who excelled as a pass-catcher with the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots also return Hunter Henry, who’s coming off a down 2022 season but caught nine touchdown passes in 2021.
Asked about Gesicki after Wednesday’s organized team activities practice, quarterback Mac Jones said he and Henry are “going to work as a pair,” suggesting new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien plans to frequently deploy both on the field together.
Wednesday’s OTA offered an early preview of that. When the Patriots began their first full-team 11-on-11 period, Gesicki and Henry both were on the field along with Jones, wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton, and running back Pierre Strong.
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O’Brien has a history of operating successful two-tight end offenses — most notably with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez in his previous stint at Patriots OC — and Gesicki’s profile as a de facto jumbo slot receiver makes him an intriguing chess piece in the passing game.
Gesicki topped 700 receiving yards in 2020 and 2021 before slumping last season under new Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, whose Shanahan-style offense didn’t jibe with the 27-year-old’s skill set. He has 18 touchdowns over the last four seasons and can use his 6-foot-6, 250-pound frame to create mismatches.
“Throughout the years in the league so far, this is my third year, but watching (Gesicki) go against some guys as an opponent was really cool to see,” Jones said. “He would make some plays 1-on-1 and down the field, and all that stuff. You can definitely see that translate to here. I think Hunter and him, and everybody else in the tight end room — Scotty (Washington), Matt Sokol, everybody — they’re doing a good job.
“I think the biggest thing is molding together. Those two are going to work as a pair. It might be different guys at times, but Mike definitely has playmaking ability. He’s a smart football player, and I’m just excited to work with him.”
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The Patriots were expected to major in 12 personnel (1RB, 2TE, 2WR) after they signed Henry and Jonnu Smith to big-money contracts in 2021, but they utilized that grouping on just 14% of their offensive snaps in their first season together, the sixth-lowest rate in the NFL. That number ticked up in 2022, but only slightly, with Henry and Smith sharing the field on just 18% of snaps.
Smith, a major disappointment for New England, was traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a seventh-round draft pick this offseason. The Patriots will be hoping for much stronger production out of Gesicki, whose exact role in their offense remains to be seen.
Sokol, Washington, veteran newcomer Anthony Firkser and undrafted rookie Johnny Lumpkin are competing for a roster spot as the third tight end.
Featured image via Rich Storry/USA TODAY Sports Images
