Credit: Twitter
Several reports claim that on Friday, seasoned tight end Marcedes Lewis and the Chicago Bears reached an agreement on a one-year, $2 million contract. Lewis will play in his 18th NFL season in 2023 if he signs with the Bears and plays in a regular-season game, shattering the previous tight end record held by Jason Witten, Tony Gonzalez, and Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez.
Lewis will join starter tight end Cole Kmet and No. 2 tight end Robert Tonyan in Chicago. Tonyan was Lewis' teammate in Green Bay for five years. Marcedes could serve as an extension of the offensive line if he makes the team and will be a crucial blocker for running backs Khalil Herbert, D'Onta Foreman, and fourth-round rookie Roschon Johnson.
The tight end, who was originally selected with the 28th overall choice in the 2006 NFL Draught out of UCLA, has transitioned from being a receiving threat to a blocking threat over the previous few seasons. The 39-year-old never ended with more than 214 receiving yards in a season during his five years in Green Bay, but he was an important contributor to creating running lanes for running backs Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon and safeguarding quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The veteran started each of the Packers' 17 games last year and hauled in six passes for 66 yards and two scores. His best statistical year was spent with the Jaguars in 2010 when Lewis achieved career highs with 58 receptions for 700 yards, 10 touchdowns, and his lone nomination to the Pro Bowl. Lewis has played in 251 regular-season games throughout the course of his career, accumulating 432 catches for 5,084 yards, and scoring 39 touchdowns.
