The ink had barely dried on Mike Gesicki’s contract with the New England Patriots when he found himself in Mac Jones’ driveway, taking him up on the offer to stay for the night.

Gesicki’s theme for the year 2023 was all about a “fresh start” as he made the transition to life as a Patriot after spending five seasons with the Miami Dolphins. That day in March perfectly captured that sentiment. Jones had reached out to Gesicki, inviting him to join a throwing session with teammates and even offering him a place to stay in his spacious basement.

Gesicki recalled his impromptu decision to make the four-hour drive from his New Jersey home, saying, “I texted him, ‘Send me your address,’ hopped in the car, put it in the GPS, and just went for it. Here’s someone I had never met before, and now I’m staying at his house. Granted, it was only for one night, but I had never done that before.”

Upon arrival in Massachusetts, Jones was there to greet him in the driveway, and their connection has only grown stronger since then. It extended beyond football, encompassing their pets and significant others, and they hoped to showcase this bond when the 0-1 Patriots faced Gesicki’s former team, the 1-0 Dolphins on Sunday (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC).

Jones had nothing but praise for Gesicki, describing him as a great houseguest who respected his space, his dog, girlfriend Sophie Scott, and everyone else. He found Gesicki to be a genuinely cool and easy-to-talk-to guy, and their initial meeting felt like the start of a great friendship.

Gesicki, at 27, appreciated how effortlessly Jones, who is 25, made the offer, saying, “All on a random Wednesday night in March, it wasn’t anything forced. He was easy to vibe with right away. We hung out, went out to dinner, just chilled, and the next day, we worked out. From Day 1, it was easy.”

Gesicki had been firmly rooted in South Florida as the Dolphins’ second-round draft pick in 2018 and their franchise-tag player in 2022 after an impressive season with 73 receptions, tied for the most catches by a Miami tight end in a single season. However, a head-coaching change in the previous season, with Mike McDaniel replacing Brian Flores and implementing a new offensive system that emphasized blocking tight ends, prompted his eventual departure. His playing time had decreased from 72% in 2021 to 45% in 2022.

Reflecting on his departure, Gesicki shared, “Without delving too deeply into the past and such, I had never imagined I would need a fresh start. I had felt successful and like a central figure in the organization.” He acknowledged the multiple coaching changes he had experienced and the evolving dynamics that can eventually lead to a player seeking new opportunities.

“So when last season came to an end, I was open to exploring different options,” Gesicki explained. “Whether it was staying with the Dolphins or not, I had no idea. I didn’t close that door. Eventually, that door closed, and this opportunity with the Patriots presented itself. I saw it as a great chance for a fresh start.”