3 Patriots players who definitely won't be back in 2024

Mike Gesicki

There was a lot of hype for Mike Gesicki when the Patriots first signed him, and it even lasted throughout the preseason as he continued to stand out on the practice field amongst his teammates. There was a belief he would thrive in a Bill O'Brien-led offense, and their decision to use him as a jumbo receiver instead of a traditional tight end seemed like the best way to utilize his talent.

It looked like he would be a better pairing with Hunter Henry, as the duo of him and Jonnu Smith did not work over the last two seasons. Henry would be the dominant blocker, which was very much needed this season due to the inconsistency of the offensive line, and Gesicki would be a key red zone target for the quarterback.

Contrary to popular belief, that's not at all what happened.

Other than his rookie season, 2023 was the least productive year of Gesicki's career. Although he was able to stay healthy for every game, he recorded just 29 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns. It was a significant decrease from his final season with the Dolphins, especially since most hoped to see the tight end play like his 2020-2021 seasons.

Because he wasn't a complete dud, he could come back on a cheap contract next year if both sides felt it was the right move. However, if the Patriots commit to a complete teardown and rebuild of the coaching staff and roster, it's hard to imagine Gesicki being a prioritized re-signing.