The Bears on Friday agreed to terms with veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis on a one-year deal.
"With Marcedes, we look forward to adding the value of his 17 years of NFL experience to our locker room," general manager Ryan Poles said, "in addition to the toughness and the mentality that he plays with. Thank you to Bus Cook for helping make him a Chicago Bear."
Lewis has played 17 NFL seasons with the Jaguars (2006-17) and Packers (2018-22), appearing in 251 games with 221 starts and catching 432 passes for 5,084 yards and 39 touchdowns. The 6-6, 267-pounder is also considered one of the league's best blocking tight ends.
Lewis is already familiar with the Bears offense, having played in Green Bay when Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy served as Packers quarterbacks coach (2019-21) and passing game coordinator (2020-21). Lewis is the fourth Green Bay offensive player to rejoin Getsy in Chicago, following receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, guard/center Lucas Patrick and tight end Robert Tonyan.
Lewis was selected by the Jaguars with the 28th pick in the first round of the 2006 draft out of UCLA. The California native spent his first 12 NFL seasons with Jacksonville, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2010 after establishing career highs with 58 receptions, 700 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Entering his 18th NFL season, Lewis seeks to break the record for most seasons played by a tight end, which he currently shares with Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten at 17.
