“That guy was so valuable for us all year, and a guy that, in my opinion, we need to bring back.” Like in the case of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson, Joe Burrow was also urging the Bengals to re-sign TE Mike Gesicki. And guess what? The Bengals have finally made one of his wishes come true. His constant knocks on the Bengals front office door have started working, you know. Like after spending the first half of the 2025 offseason pondering what to do on the negotiating table. The Bengals are finally coughing up the cash with a blockbuster deal for their best TE last season.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter just announced that the Bengals are re-signing Mike Gesicki to a 3-year, $25.5M contract. Actually, the Bengals have kind of outdid themselves with Gesicki’s contract. Coming off 65 receptions for 665 yards and 2 TDs last season, the Bengals are paying handsomely to Gesicki in the first year of his deal. $12M will be paid in 2025, which means the Bengals went above and beyond to avoid letting him hit free agency. Very unlikely of them. But nevermind moving on…

Surely, Gesicki could have a lot of suitors if he had hit the market with the free agency window opening on Monday. However, they chose not to take that risk and gave Gesicki a contract he thoroughly deserves. I mean he really impressed in an offense that already had the likes of triple crown winner Chase and the usually reliable Tee Higgins. 38 of his catches out of 65 were first downs. So, Burrow knew whom he needed to target whenever the team went looking for a first down.

Actually, not only first downs, Gesicki even chipped in with 18 third-down catches. Burrow be like First-down? Where’s Gesicki BAM! First-down accomplished. Third-down? Ohh scary. No problem, let’s scan for Gesicki—Target locked a Burrow dagger and BAM! Third-down complete. Burrow and Gesicki connected for 75 yards only on third-down catches like that. Those numbers were more than Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Zay Flowers.

So, you know the Bengals just had to bring him back. Letting him walk for free after what he accomplished last season could be a grave mistake. But the work is not done. They still need to sort out Trey Hendrickson’s future because there’s no way they are really willing to trade him, right? NFL’s sack leader traded? Bengals are kidding, right?

Is Trey Hendrickson really leaving the Jungle?

To be honest, the Bengals just love to dig potholes for themselves. I mean if they didn’t, why in seven hells did they permit Hendrickson to seek trade away from Cincinnati. This is your 4-time consecutive Pro Bowler for God’s sake. Someone who is coming off two seasons of back-to-back 17.5 sacks. There’s a reason he wants to be handsomely paid and deservedly so. Is it really too much for the Bengals to give him what he wants, a $30M per season contract or more? Like it wouldn’t be a bad deal, right? But no, the Bengals just like to make things tough for them.

They are willing to trade a player who really wants to stay. When asked whether he feels frustrated seeing himself on the trade block, Hendrickson was rather calm and composed. “I wouldn’t call it frustrating. It gives me an opportunity to prove my worth every season.” So, is he really thinking about leaving for good? And take his talents somewhere else where he feels valued. Well, it could be. But the Bengals still have a chance to short this mess out. Why? Because Hendrickson still doesn’t see himself playing anywhere else other than the Jungle.

“However it shakes out, there’s nowhere I’d rather be.” So, it’s totally up to the Bengals what they want to do. Do they see a future without their NFL sack leader? Or are they willing to cash in on him and spend the capital elsewhere? See anything could happen. But one thing is for sure: The Bengals are finally waking up, and surely they wouldn’t like Hendrickson to slip through their hands now that Joe Burrow has probably started smiling again!!