The Arizona Cardinals have added another nice option on offense for Carson Palmer.
The team announced Friday that tight end Jermaine Gresham has agreed to a one-year deal. The former first-round pick spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The signing comes four days after Gresham visited with the Cardinals. Gresham deepens a tight end depth chart that took a hit when John Carlson unexpectedly retired earlier this offseason. Gresham is the only true pass-catching threat in a group that includes Darren Fells and Troy Niklas, a second-round pick last season.
Circumstances conspired to keep Gresham on the market longer than expected. He was close to a deal with the Raiders that was scuttled when a physical turned up a herniated disc in his back that required surgery in March. Oakland remained interested in Gresham's services, as had the Bears and Packers.
Bruce Arians' offense isn't known for big production at the tight-end position, but Gresham has the potential to make plays. He twice went to the Pro Bowl in his run with the Bengals, averaging 56 catches and 544 yards in five seasons. In 2014, he had 62 receptions for 460 yards and five touchdowns.
Gresham is just 27 and should have plenty of motivation on a prove-it deal. He joins a strong receiving group in Arizona that includes Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown.
*The latest Around The NFL Podcast features the triumphant return of Dan Hanzus and discusses the biggest mysteries heading into training camp. *
