Source - Miami Dolphins place franchise tag on Mike Gesicki, bringing him back for fifth season

The Miami Dolphins have placed the franchise tag on tight end Mike Gesicki, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter, bringing him back for a fifth season.

The 2018 second-round pick has increased his reception and receiving yard totals in each of his four NFL seasons, including a career-high 780 yards on 73 catches in 2021. Since entering the league, only six tight ends have more catches than Gesicki's 199. He also ranks eighth among NFL tight ends with 2,255 receiving yards.

Gesicki was set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, with Spotrac estimating his market value at $44 million over four years. The Dolphins used a third-round pick in 2021 on tight end Hunter Long and kept five active tight ends on their 53-man roster during the season. None of them were as productive as Gesicki.

The Dolphins and Gesicki will have until July 15 to agree to a long-term deal. If no deal is reached, Gesicki will play the 2022 season on the franchise tender, which is worth $10.931 million for tight ends, according to a memo obtained by ESPN.

Gesicki was asked about his contract status throughout the season and publicly stated his happiness in Miami.

«I haven't thought about it this season. I kind of just let it all play out,» he said on Jan. 5, prior to the team's final game of the season. «Because it doesn't matter how much I think about it or don't think about it, it's not really up to me. I just kind of go about my business and kind of let everything fall where it may. I do appreciate this organization.

»I'm happy where I'm at and I like the guys, like the locker room, like the coaches. I can go on and on about all the things I like. We'll see. We'll see what happens."

The Dolphins' top two tight ends, Gesicki and