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Cardinals' Gresham reveals why he rejected more lucrative offers

Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Arizona Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham is living proof that money alone can't buy happiness.

Gresham rejected a four-year, $23 million contract offer from the Chicago Bears, in order to re-sign with the Cardinals on a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians noted at the time that he'd never seen a sacrifice like it.

The two-time Pro Bowler revealed why he opted to stay with the Cardinals, despite being offered less years and money.

"Overall happiness and a chance to win," Gresham said to Bob McManaman of The Arizona Republic.

Naturally, Gresham's advisors were skeptical but he convinced them that he made the correct decision.

"Yeah, my agent tried talking me out of it," Gresham said. "But I think he felt that my happiness is more important. He saw my vision and he siding with me all the way to the end."

Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer is looking forward to his teammate's contributions, after Gresham was used in a limited role last year.

"He's totally different,” Palmer said of Gresham. "He came in off of a surgery last year and I don't know if he was even part of the game plans until a month into the season. So having him right off the bat and just him being comfortable, us being comfortable with him, it's a big advantage we have."

The Cardinals enter the 2016 season as one of the Super Bowl favorites, and with veterans making compromises for the collective good of the team, it's no wonder why many believe they'll be around through next January.

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