Tight end Mike Gesicki signed with the Patriots in the offseason after five seasons with Miami. Doug Murray/Associated Press

FOXBORO — More than a decade before Mike Gesicki signed his free-agent contract with the Patriots, Bill O’Brien recruited him to play at Penn State.

Several years later, Gesicki initiated a friendship with Hunter Henry as a young tight end looking up to another in the NFL.

Then around the time he put pen to paper to become a Patriot, Gesicki called an ex-teammate, DeVante Parker, to learn what it’s like playing in New England.

Parker, he said, only shared positive things. And so, the reunions were on.

Gesicki took a break from the Pats’ voluntary offseason program Thursday to stand for his first press conference as a Patriot. The 27-year-old said his first few months in New England haven’t packed many surprises. Gesicki came prepared, starting with his familiarity with O’Brien, New England’s new offensive coordinator, understanding of the organization as a former division rival and experience playing under ex-Patriot assistants in Miami from 2019-21.

Inside the team facility, Gesicki is like every other offensive player learning the finer points of O’Brien’s offense.

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“(O’Brien) has a great system, and I think it’s exciting to get in the meeting rooms and hear how things are run,” Gesicki said. “The terminology is very basic right now‚ it’s exciting to kind of watch some tape of how it’s been run and things like that. I think it’s going to be exciting. But right now, it’s very, very basic.”

Gesicki is also working with a fellow newcomer in tight ends coach Will Lawing, who has followed O’Brien at every stop of his coaching career the last decade.

“Will’s awesome,” Gesicki said. “It’s been really good. Obviously, (he’s) a younger position coach, so it’s cool. He gets it. He’s good at communicating with us, so it’s been awesome working with him.”

As for his teammates, Gesicki has already joined quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe for throwing sessions outside the facility. Shortly after he inked his one-year deal, Gesicki stayed at Jones’ house for an overnight.

“Just kind of getting to know (Jones), building that relationship, that chemistry. It was cool,” Gesicki said. “It was a good opportunity. Bailey was out there that day (throwing), too. …(Jones)’s got a nice setup over there, he’s got a nice setup in the basement.”

Like all incoming Patriots so far, Gesicki was complimentary of his new quarterback. He called Jones a “really cool dude,” and noted his enthusiasm, arm talent and accuracy. Gesicki, who is expected to function like a big wide receiver instead of a traditional tight end, hasn’t lost any affection for O’Brien, either.

And considering O’Brien’s return is expected to be as impactful as any free-agent signing, including Gesicki, that should be good news for a Patriots offense that severely lacked cohesion and chemistry in 2022.

“Kind of picking back up where we left off, it’s awesome. OB’s awesome,” Gesicki said. “Really excited to get to jell with him and get in this offense and get to work.”

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