Jermaine Gresham's contract significantly increases in 2014

In the final year of a five-year deal that was signed in 2010, Jermaine Gresham's base salary will jump from $975,500 in 2013 to $3.4 million in 2014. Along with a workout bonus that doubles from $100,000 to $200,000, Gresham's cap number is more than doubling from $2.29 million in 2013 to $4.8 million in 2014.

If the Bengals release Gresham (they won't, but for the sake of argument), they'll save $3.6 million with $1.2 million allotted as dead money.

Gresham didn't have a particularly good season. It wasn't "awful" either -- unless you're stuck on the whole first-round thing. It was mediocre-average.

Gresham set a career-high in penalties (11) and fumbles (3); two of those costly mental mistakes that have saturated his career with justified criticism. Our best two-word summary in regards to Gresham in 2013 was "league average". Among all tight ends, he ranked 19th in receptions (46), 23rd in yards receiving (458) and 17th in touchdowns (4). Unfortunately, his three fumbles was a league-high among all tight ends.

Gresham missed two games with injuries and had the number of targets (passes intended for Gresham) significantly impacted with the arrival of Tyler Eifert; both of which are legitimate points. However, when he was playing, it felt more like he was just there, rather than making an impact. However, he did earn another $500,000 in contract escalators this season.