“I’m not really a big controversy guy” – Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki on not appealing to be designated as a WR


“I’m not really a big controversy guy” – Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki on not appealing to be designated as a WR

Mike Gesicki

The Miami Dolphins placed the franchise tag on tight end Mike Gesicki in early March. It was a presumption that Gesicki would appeal to be designated a receiver rather than a tight end for tag purposes.

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The franchise tag for receivers in 2022 is $18.419 million and the tight end tag is $10.931 million. Given the big money difference, one would assume that the star pass catcher would appeal to be designated as a wide receiver. But that’s not the case.

“That’s up to them” – Mike Gesicki on his franchise tag and not securing a multi-year deal 

Mike Gesicki
Mike Gesicki

On Wednesday, Gesicki was asked point-blank if he plans to appeal his designation. The 26-year-old didn’t sound concerned with the situation. “That’s kind of up to — obviously it’s up to me, but more my agent and him kind of putting that out there,” he said. “But as of now, I’m in here and I’m not really a big controversy guy. I’m not trying to be the guy that’s the bad locker room guy or the guy that’s bringing the organization down or the guy that’s in the headlines for the wrong reasons. I’m just trying to, like I said, help this team in any way I can.”

Mike Gesicki has lined up in the slot on 402 snaps, out wide 218, and tight 140 times last season and given his outcome he could have a case that he’s closer to a receiver than a tight end. Coming off a career-high 780 yards receiving on 73 catches with two TDs, Gesicki isn’t worried about the lack of a multi-year extension instead of playing on the franchise tag.

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“I mean that’s up to them, honestly,” he said. “I have a good relationship with (general manager) Chris (Grier) and (executive) Brandon (Shore) and this new coaching staff obviously — maybe that had something to do with it, I’m not sure. I don’t really have all the answers. But I do know the kind of person that I am and the worker that I am and the player that I am, I’m just going to go back out there and continue to do what I do, continue to improve and make plays and help this team win football games and eventually get compensated for it.”

Mike Gesicki and the Dolphins have until July 15 to get a multi-year deal done. Gesicki’s attitude to being tagged as a TE has shown that he’s more than just a money guy. He’s shown that he is willing to place the team’s interests ahead of his own and he might be awarded sooner than later.

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