Arizona Cardinals rumors: Jermaine Gresham signs long-term
By John Buhler
After two so-so years in Glendale, the Arizona Cardinals have decided to bring back tight end Jermaine Gresham on a long-term extension with the team.
The Arizona Cardinals have an ultra-intricate passing game centered around head coach Bruce Arians’ offensive philosophies. Arizona loves to spread the ball around to a myriad of weapons, so it’s not the easiest offense to put up monster receiving stats in.
One player that has been so-so the last two years in Glendale will be getting a big deal before NFL free agency even begins. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “Cardinals and [tight end] Jermaine Gresham have reached agreement on a four-year deal.”
Cardinals and TE Jermaine Gresham have reached agreement on a four-year deal, per sources. One TE off the market.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2017
Gresham was a two-time Pro Bowler during his first five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He had 280 receptions for 2,722 yards and 24 touchdowns in half a decade with the Bengals. However after signing a pair of one-year deals with the Cardinals, Gresham hasn’t been the same player for the Cardinals as he was for the Bengals.
In two years with Arizona, Gresham has only 55 catches for 614 yards and three touchdowns. One would have thought that the Cardinals might have let him walk after failing to live up to the hype he had coming in out of Cincinnati.
However, Arizona does not have a bevy of cap space this offseason. General manager Steve Keim has only $19,063,965 to work with up against the cap. Perhaps the Cardinals aren’t looking to break the bank this offseason, preferring to re-up with some of last year’s player on expiring contracts?
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Arizona is in win-now mode with starting quarterback Carson Palmer on his last limb. Will the Gresham signing ultimately help get the Cardinals back into the NFC Playoffs this upcoming season?