Ageless wonder Marcedes Lewis reportedly intends to be back with the Chicago Bears f🍌or the 2024 season.
UPDATE: HE’S BACK!
Now that it is , we can get on with the rest of our original post below.
So says NFL on FOX insider Jay Glazer, who on the veteran tight end’s plans to return to Chicago for this upcoming season — which would be his 19th as a pro:
Well, I must say that this is a pleasant Sunday surprise. It was also news I was quietly hoping to see come across the wire at some point. But it’s not as if I was holding my breath over it because I wasn’t quite sure where the fit would be. As it turns out, the fit remains as good in 2024 as it was when he signed a one-year deal in 2023. This has the potential to be a fun story.
Marcedes Lewis reportedly intends to re-sign with the Chicago Bears
Lewis, who turned 40 in May, played in all 17 games for the Bears last year but didn’t put much of a dent in the stats columns. The UCLA product caught just four passes for 29 yards while playing on just 29 percent of the offensive snaps. However, I suppose it is worth noting that one of those receptions was a touchdown. As a bonus, the touchdown snag came while he was the NFL’s oldest active skill position player.
Respect your elders:
Year 18 and is still scoring TDs 🤯
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears)
📺: on FOX
Bringing Marcedes Lewis back to Chicago rounds out the Bears’ collection of tight ends in a nice way. There is no analytical value for a veteran presence like Lewis. But if there was, I have no doubt that he would grade highly in that regard. Lewis, a first-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2006, has 436 catches, 5,113 receiving yards, and 40 touchdowns to his name. In addition to the 12 years he spent with the Jags, Lewis also has five years of experience with the Packers.
Last year, we could’ve chalked up his signing to his connection to Luke Getsy. That Marcedes Lewis is willing to come back for another year despite Getsy’s departure might say something about how the veteran sees the Bears’ short-term future. Or maybe I’m projecting. In any case, I’m vibing with this addition to the roster. Because on top of the unquantifiable leadership qualities Lewis brings to the table, it is worth underscoring that Pro Football Focus gave him the fifth-highest grade of tight ends last year. Lewis’ 73.7 run-blocking grade powered his grade, as it was the fifth best among players at the position who were on the field for enough snaps to qualify for the PFF leaderboard.
MORE: Aaron Rodgers Was Hoping M🉐arcedes Lewis Would Join Him With the New York Jets
Earlier in the offseason, the Bears signed tight end Gerald Everett to a two-year deal serve as a tag team partner for Cole Kmet. And if you’ll recall, the Bears extended Kmet’s contract last summer. So not only does Chicago have stability at the position, it also has some veteran know-ho♛w in the mix once Marcedes Lewis makes thin꧑gs officially official. This is as good as this particular position group has looked (on paper) for the Bears in quite some time. Huzzah!
Based on his history as a play-caller, new Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron figures to use a fair amount of sets with two tight ends. No, I don’t expect Marcedes Lewis to be given a heavy work-load. However, Lewis gives them another option to play with at any given notice. As far as I’m concerned, the more the merrier at the tight end position.
