Why haven’t the Dolphins decided to extend TE Mike Gesicki?

Mike Gesicki broke through with a solid third season. Only three tight ends produced more receiving yards than Gesicki, giving the former second-round pick some momentum early in his contract year.
The Dolphins have already extended two members of their 2018 draft class – linebacker Jerome Baker (round 3) and kicker Jason Sanders (round 7) – but the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson notes the team has no extension. Gesicki on his radar to enter training camp.
Like most tight ends, Gesicki took a bit of time to develop. After an unproductive rookie year, however, the Penn State product has totaled 1,273 yards over the past two seasons. Last season only Travis Kelce, Darren Waller and TJ Hockenson passed Gesicki’s 703 yards among tight ends. That total nearly led the Dolphins, with DeVante Parker racking up 793 during his 14-game campaign.
The 6-foot-6 receiver added six touchdowns on reception. Gesicki will be tasked with further assisting Tua Tagovailoa’s development this season, although his role in the aerial pecking order may change after the Dolphins signed Will Fuller and used the No.6 pick on Jaylen Waddle. The Dolphins also drafted tight end Hunter Long from Boston College in the third round. This could well have an impact on Gesicki’s status.
Kelce and George Kittle raised the bar for tight wages after stagnating for several years in the late 2010s. Austin Hooper and recently signed Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry are also earning eight figures on average.
It will be interesting to see if the Dolphins decide to extend Gesicki before the start of his contract year. Another productive season will make him one of the best free agent wide receivers available in March. The Dolphins would also have the franchise tag in play in 2022, although the number of tight end tags is certainly higher than it was this year ($ 9.6 million).