Even before free agency opened last March, among the first reported interest the Raiders had was former Bengals tight end, Jermaine Gresham. He visited the team facility and spent a couple of days in the Oakland area with no deal coming to pass. In his physical in Alameda, he was found to have a back injury that required surgery and it was the reason he became the only reported free agent visit the Raiders had that didn't result in a deal.
Immediately following the news of his back injury and ensuing surgery, the Raiders made it clear they would remain interested if and when Gresham recovered.