With free agency opening Monday, the Bengals have apparently accomplished one of their offseason priorities when reports Saturday had them agreeing to re-sign tight Mike Gesicki on a three-year deal after he had the most catches by a Cincinnati tight end in 43 years.

Gesicki's pairing with Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow revived his career on 65 catches, more than his previous two seasons combined, and became a key element in the Bengals' No. 1 NFL passing offense.

Gesicki's value was on full display in last season's final game at Paycor Stadium against the Broncos in what amounted to an elimination game for the Bengals.

With the Broncos trying to take away All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Gesicki tied his career-high with 10 catches and helped shake loose wide receiver Tee Higgins for a career-high three touchdowns.

"Mike was great today," Burrow said that night. "He made contested plays in big spots … Just watching the tape all week, I knew it was going to be a big Mike game, and he stepped up big for us."

Burrow and Gesicki clicked immediately after Gesicki, 29, came over from New England on his second straight one-year contract. The 6-6 Gesicki not only offered Burrow inviting mismatches, but deceptive yards after catch. Gesicki had 75 yards after the catch on his 18 third-down catches, more third-down YAC than Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and Zay Flowers, per The Football Database.

This is going to mark the first time in Gesicki's eight seasons he'll have the same offensive coordinator. By the middle of last season, he already sensed he had found his offense and quarterback.

"Just to be with one guy, and obviously how elite he is, you've just got to stop to think about it for a second what could be," Gesicki told Bengals.com last year. "But I'm grateful for the opportunity that I have now. Year seven, to finally have that opportunity."