Marcedes Lewis is remaining in the NFC North.
The Chicago Bears have re-signed former first-round pick Lewis, who turned 40 in May, to a one-year contract, the team announced Monday.
The 2024 season will be his 19th. Lewis, who was chosen 28th overall by Jacksonville in 2006, spent the whole 2017 season with the Jaguars. He also played with the Packers from 2018 to 2022, and for the Bears last season.
Lewis is no longer the dynamic playmaker he was when he made the Pro Bowl in 2010, but he has had an impressive career.
His 18 seasons are the most for a tight end in league history, and he has played in 268 games, the most in the NFL among current players.
The 6-6, 267-pounder is regarded as one of the league’s top blocking tight ends, but he has also caught 436 catches for 5,113 yards and 40 touchdowns in his career.
Last season, Lewis appeared in all 17 games, making four starts, and caught four passes for 29 yards and one touchdown.
If he joins the squad again, it will most likely be as a backup, blocking for starter Cole Kmet and offseason acquisition.
The Bears went 7-10 last season, but hopes are high after Chicago took quarterback Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in April’s draft and acquired running back D’Andre Swift and wide receiver Keenan Allen in the offseason.
