The Cardinals have agreed to a new four-year contract with tight end Jermaine Gresham.
With a couple of days left until free agents can begin changing teams, the Cardinals are trying to re-sign some of their own – and made a step in that direction Tuesday.
The team came to a four-year agreement with tight end Jermaine Gresham, keeping Gresham off the market later this week. Gresham was among the team's top priorities to retain. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
After signing a one-year contract in 2015, Gresham had turned down considerably more money as a free
agent last offseason to return to the Cardinals last season on a one-year, $3.5 million deal. He responded with 37 receptions for 391 yards and two touchdowns, and the team liked not only the production he brought but also the emotion and passion with which he played.
He said late in the season he wanted to stay in Arizona.
"(The offense) works, it's proven," Gresham said. "The guys here, they are very accepting. It's pretty simple."
With a strong draft class of tight ends, getting under contract makes sense for Gresham as well.
The Cardinals have four tight ends under contract – Gresham, Troy Niklas, Ifeanyi Momah and Hakeem Valles. Darren Fells is a restricted free agent but is not expected to be tendered an offer and would reach unrestricted status Thursday if he does not re-sign before then.
Gresham's deal leaves the team with 15 unrestricted free agents-to-be, not counting Fells or fellow restricted free agent kicker Chandler Catanzaro.