The Patriots have reportedly signed former Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki to a one-year, incentive laden deal. (AP photo)

The renovation of the New England Patriots, especially on offense, continues.

Friday the Patriots reportedly came to an agreement on a one-year deal worth up to $9 million with former Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki and another two-year deal with former Detroit Lions linebacker/special teamer Chris Board.

Gesicki will evidently replace Jonnu Smith, who was traded to Atlanta after two very unproductive years with New England. Gesicki played with Miami under the franchise tag, interestingly enough, for$10.931 million.

Reports say this contract for the one year is worth a base of $4.5 million, with a $2.4 million signing bonus and $4.5 million in incentives. Reportedly $3.5 million is guaranteed – a team friendly contract for a player who is looking to re-establish his worth.

It’s clear the Patriots see the former Dolphin as an upgrade. Patriots coach Bill Belichick, according to ESPN, once said of Gesicki that he was “a hard guy to cover” and that he plays more like “a big receiver than a true tight end.”

Gesicki has 231 catches for 2, 617 yards and 18 TDs in five seasons. He had his best season in 2021 with 73 receptions for 780 yards. Last year it dipped, with a new coaching staff, to just 32 passes for 362 yards, his lowest numbers since his rookie year.

There’s a connection, as Gesicki was recruited to Penn State by then Nittany Lions coach Bill O’Brien, who is now the Patriots new offensive coordinator.

Thus this week the Patriots have replaced their slot receiver, with JuJu Smith-Schuster in and Jakobi Meyers out; one of their tight ends, with Gesicki in and Smith out; and they’ve added a pass catching running back in James Robinson, which free agent likely means Damien Harris is out and will sign elsewhere.

As for Board, the Patriots are looking to revamp their special teams units as they performed poorly in kick coverage last year (two kickoffs returned for TDs). Board, Belichick said prior to the Patriots-Lions game, that Board would be “the best special teams player we’ll play against all year. … There are really no weaknesses in the player.”

MILLS CUT

The Patriots got about $5 million in salary cap in cutting cornerback Jalen Mills, who at one point was considered one of their top players at the position. Mills had signed a four year deal with the team back in 2021, but last year he just had 31 total tackles and two interceptions. He started 26 games over the last two years but also missed nine games.

Still, though, he was the team’s No. 2 corner and the move, despite the cap savings, raised some eyebrows as it makes a thin position even thinner.

CARDONA’S DEAL

Long snapper Joe Cardona, whose re-signing was reported on Thursday, reportedly got a four year deal worth $6.3 million.