Oakland Raiders expressing interest in Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham is generating interest with the Oakland Raiders, tweets ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan.

#Raiders have interest in TE Jermaine Gresham, source said. Not as much as first thought on Julius Thomas.

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 8, 2015

Gresham, who will become an unrestricted free agent this Tuesday, recently told SiriusXM Radio that his "heart is in Cincinnati. I want to stay there, but it's up to them." Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said that there's a place for him here, adding (with a zen-full state of mind) that he's free to do whatever he chooses. Curious reports emerged in January that "there are many coaches within the building who want zero do with Gresham at this point," most of which stems from immaturity issues and sudden questions of unreliability.

The former first-round pick completed his fifth season, averaging 56 receptions with 544 yards receiving per season and 24 combined touchdowns -- the last of which featured his third offensive coordinator within a system that's limited in passing game progressions.

Cincinnati hasn't publicly shown any effort (or interest) in re-signing Gresham, leading many to conclude that the team is done. Spent. Fulfilled. Used up. Terminated. Drained. Brought to pass. Ended.

Tight end Tyler Eifert is expected to be ready for training camp and the team is expected to cast a fishing line into free agency and the NFL draft for a complementary player to replace Gresham.