The Philadelphia Eagles and tight end Dallas Goedert agreed to a new contract extension that will pay the 26-year-old $59 million over four years with over $35 million of it guaranteed.
Goedert was drafted in 2018, seven picks after Miami’s Mike Gesicki, so it’s an easy comparison between the two of them. So, with Goedert’s big payday on Friday, how will that affect Gesicki’s down the line?
Statistically, the players are about the same. In 57 games, Gesicki has 170 receptions for 2,004 yards and 13 touchdowns. Goedert has played just 51 games, but he’s totaled 166 receptions for 1,894 yards and 14 touchdowns. It’s also important to note that Goedert had Zach Ertz playing ahead of him for a lot of those games.
Gesicki has told the media that he leaves all negotiations to his representation, Jimmy Sexton, but hasn’t updated anyone on any discussions about a contract. It would make sense that the Dolphins would want him to return to Miami considering the impact he’s had, especially this year. The Ravens put Marlon Humphrey on him during their Week 10 matchup, so it’s safe to assume other teams are respecting his talent.
It seems like this contract is probably right around where Gesicki will fall. The $14.75 million average annual value puts Goedert as the second-highest-paid tight end behind only San Francisco’s George Kittle, and the guaranteed money is the third-most at the position behind Kittle and Baltimore’s Mark Andrews.
What Gesicki does in the blocking game may not live up to what these guys can do on the end of the line, but his pass-catching ability is definitely up there.
The Dolphins currently have the most cap space in 2022 ($77.4 million), according to Over the Cap, so they have no excuse not to make a run at Gesicki or, at the very least, use the franchise tag on him.
