The Arizona Cardinals are in the market for a tight end and free agent Jermaine Gresham could be an option along with former Redskins player Chris Cooley, as he is trying to make a comeback in the NFL and this comes as the Cards are trying to add depth after losing John Carlson to retirement.
The Cardinals have been interested in adding a veteran tight end since Carlson retired in the spring and ESPN reports that Cooley could be a target. According to Adam Schefter, the Cardinals are interesting in Cooley as a potential option heading into training camp. The team met with Jermaine Gresham this week and now the Cardinals could look at adding one of the players heading into workouts.
Bruce Arians does not go crazy with passing to tight ends in his offense, but with Troy Niklas, Gerald Christian, Darren Fells and Ted Bolser on the roster, an upgrade is needed. The team lost Carlson to retirement and now a player that appeared to be retired could help them out. Cooley said recently that he has been looking to make a comeback, as he felt that he could be a contributing tight end in the NFL. Cooley has been broadcasting with the Washington Redskins and according to Pro Football Talk, the tight end has "out-of-town NFL offensive coordinator" about playing again.
Cooley was very productive for a time with the Redskins, making 77 catches for 849 yards and three touchdowns in his final full season in Washington. Cooley played in eight games in 2012 and five games in 2011 and apart from 2009 he played in 16 games the other six seasons in his career. Cooley is still just 33 and if he works out with the Cardinals and they like what they see, he could be an option to make the team out of camp.
The Cardinals reportedly are interested in Gresham, who had back surgery this offseason after playing with the Bengals. Cincinnati is not interested in bringing back Gresham and Pro Football Talk reports that the New Orleans Saints have been looking at Gresham. Last season Gresham had 62 catches for 460 yards and five touchdowns.
Cooley spoke recently about the possibility of coming back, saying to Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post: "If I went to camp, I could be anybody's third tight end, worst case," Cooley said. "I have no doubt. Any team in the NFL, I could be their third tight end. There's not a question in my mind."
Check here for more on the interest in Gresham and Cooley by the Cardinals.
