Cardinals agree to a four-year contract with TE Jermaine Gresham
Mar 7, 2017, 1:30 PM | Updated: 2:33 pm
Arizona Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham carries the ball after a catching a pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
(AP Photo/John Froschauer)
The Arizona Cardinals found way to keep at least one of their free agents, agreeing to a four-year contract with tight end Jermaine Gresham.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the news, which the Cardinals have since confirmed.
Gresham originally joined the Cardinals in 2015 after playing the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals. He caught just 18 passes for 223 yards and one touchdown, but provided solid blocking and leadership for Arizona.
The Cardinals brought him back the following season on a second one-year contract, which Gresham turned down more years and less money from other teams to sign, and the tight end’s role grew as his production increased.
Last season, Gresham caught 37 passes for 391 yards and two touchdowns, and was often complimented for his work as a blocker.
He became an emotional spark for the Cardinals, and was someone the team was hopeful it would be able to sign to a longer contract this time around. Gresham had also indicated a desire to remain in Arizona.
#Cardinals TE Jermaine Gresham to me on his 4-yr deal: "I'm happy. This wasn't about the money. It was about winning and the security."
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 7, 2017
Cardinals announced the four-year deal for TE Jermaine Gresham. Sources say he doubled up on the $3.5m he made this year. Good deal for him.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 7, 2017
Gresham entered the NFL as a first-round pick of the Bengals’ in 2011. The 28-year-old has caught 335 career passes for 3,336 yards and 27 touchdowns, and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2011 and 2012.
