6 players who could be playing their final games for the Patriots

Mike Gesicki

Among the list of players signed during free agency this year who likely won't be back is Mike Gesicki. Unlike others on this list, the reason for the rest of the season probably being his last games with the Patriots is not necessarily poor performance; it's more so because he hasn't been the jumbo wide receiver-style player he was anticipated to be.

Bill Belichick made it clear early on that Gesicki was brought in to be more of a receiver than a tight end, which made sense given his forgettable efforts as a blocker on the line and Hunter Henry was still under contract.

It seemed like he would be used a lot in the red zone, where he has thrived in his career, but that hasn't been the case through nine games so far.

Because the offense hasn't been a well-oiled machine this season, some of the disappointment of Gesicki's tenure can be placed on others or excused for other reasons. Despite it all, he has still totaled 19 receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown, which happened to be the game-winner against the Bills in Week 7.

Perhaps he can change the trajectory of his season around in the remaining eight games, becoming much more of a factor within the offense that he was hyped up to be this year. But if that doesn't happen, he will be the latest tight end to hit free agency out of New England, becoming the latest underwhelming signing by Belichick in the last handful of years.