The Cardinals have agreed to a one-year contract with free agent tight end Jermaine Gresham, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports (via Twitter). Financial terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
The 27-year-old Gresham spent the first half-decade of his career in Cincinnati, which used a first-round pick on him in 2010. With the Bengals, the ex-Oklahoma Sooner hauled in 280 passes and 24 touchdowns – including 62 receptions and five scores last season – while earning a reputation as a solid blocker. He averaged a meager 7.4 yards per catch in 2014, however, and Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked him a below-average 37th out of 67 qualifying tight ends.
Gresham – who underwent surgery on a herniated disc in March – drew interest this offseason from several teams besides the Cardinals, including the Saints, Packers, Bears and Raiders. In Arizona, Gresham will provide a veteran tight end to a team that lost John Carlson and Rob Housler during the offseason. Carlson and Housler combined for 42 receptions, 479 yards and a touchdown last year. Gresham has exceeded 42 catches every year of his career, surpassed the 479-yard mark twice, and totaled at least four TDs in each of his five seasons.