Mike Gesicki didn’t arrive in Cincinnati with much of the spotlight, but one week into the season, he’s already forcing his way into the conversation.
While most of the attention after the Bengals’ 33-27 win over Tampa Bay went to the defense, the offense had plenty going for it too. Joe Burrow’s loose interception was the main blemish, but beyond that, Cincinnati found real rhythm.
And the biggest surprise wasn’t coming from Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins. It was Gesicki, the former Patriots and Dolphins tight end, who stepped in as the breakout piece with five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.
What made it work was how consistently available he was. With the Buccaneers shading coverage toward Chase and Higgins, Gesicki kept finding space and giving Burrow an easy answer.
A lot of that damage came on seam routes, with Burrow hitting him in stride down the middle of the field. That kind of connection can become a valuable part of the Bengals’ offense as the season moves along.
Now comes a Week 2 matchup that could set him up for another big day against Houston.
There are a few reasons to think Gesicki can build on what he did in the opener. The Texans are a strong defense, but they also showed vulnerability in Week 1. Buffalo tight end Dalton Kincaid racked up 130 yards against them, a performance that opens the door to the idea that Gesicki can do damage there too.
Cincinnati also may not get the same kind of production from Chase. He’s expected to draw former LSU teammate and back-to-back first-team All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr., which could make life a lot tougher for Burrow’s top target.
And there’s another wrinkle in the middle of the field. Houston is dealing with injuries at linebacker, with Henry To'oTo'o out because of a shoulder injury and Jake Hummel doubtful with a groin issue. If both sit, that group gets thinner, and the Bengals could find more room for the kind of short completions Gesicki lives on.
That’s why his Week 1 showing feels less like a one-off and more like something Cincinnati can keep leaning on.
In Other News...
Joe Burrow Just Put Bengals Fans On Injury Alert Again
Joe Burrow was back on the practice field Wednesday, but only in a very limited capacity, and the scene did little to quiet Bengals fans already watching his health closely. He was not involved in significant throwing and appeared to be wearing a shoulder brace, another reminder that Cincinnati is managing its franchise quarterback carefully as it heads into a game that matters for keeping momentum intact.
Burrow later said he is dealing with some back tightness, though he still plans to play against the Houston Texans on Sunday. The Bengals are expected to put out an injury report later in the week, which should give a clearer picture of how concerned they are, but for now the storyline is less about whether Burrow will suit up and more about how close to full strength he actually is when he does. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Just Learned They Can't Keep Winning With This JaMarr Chase Problem
The Bengals opened the season with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the postgame conversation quickly turned to how little the passing game featured JaMarr Chase. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher acknowledged the ball did not go to Chase enough, even after a game in which the receiver was held to two catches on four targets. Pitcher called Chase the best receiver in the world and said he was one of the first players he spoke with after the final whistle.
For Cincinnati, it is less a crisis than a reminder of how much the offense wants to run through its top playmaker. The Bengals expect to lean on Chase more going forward, starting with next weeks matchup against the Houston Texans, and the challenge now is turning that intention into a more consistent part of the game plan. If the opener was any indication, they already know this is not the kind of imbalance they can afford to let linger. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Owner Just Put Cincinnati In A Different Spotlight
Cincinnati has plenty of football reasons to stay in the spotlight, but the latest Forbes 400 list gives the city a broader kind of attention. Bengals owner Mike Brown and his family landed at No. 224 with an estimated net worth of $7.6 billion, putting them in the company of some of the countrys wealthiest names and reminding everyone that the teams ownership runs far beyond the bounds of the NFL.
The list also gives Cincinnati a little extra star power outside the sports world. Medpace CEO August Troendle checks in at No. 396 with a net worth of $4.4 billion, while filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who was born in Cincinnati, is ranked No. 216 with a net worth of nearly $8 billion. For Bengals fans, it is a curious kind of civic bragging right, one that stretches from the stadium to boardrooms and Hollywood credits. [Read more 🡒]