Former Jaguars, Packers TE Marcedes Lewis still waiting for NFL opportunity in 2023
Marcedes Lewis is tied with two legends in Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez for most seasons played by a tight end ever with 17. Lewis hopes to be alone on top of the list.
The now 39-year-old veteran is currently unsigned but told the Associated Press this past week that he hopes to play another year in the NFL.
“I get the business side of it,” Lewis told The Associated Press. “My agent is in talks with a handful of teams, but it’s just small talk. I guess teams are trying to figure out their rosters and what they need.”
Lewis started his NFL career in 2006 after being selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had attended UCLA, where he was a consensus All-American and 2005 John Mackey Award winner as the nation’s top tight end.
He then spent over decade in Jacksonville with the Jaguars before moving on to play with the Green Bay Packers.
The 6-foot-6 Lewis has made only one Pro Bowl in 2010 — when he also made the NFL All-Pro second team — but has been a consistent performer throughout his career. He has played in at least 15 games in 14 of his 17 seasons.
Lewis had only six catches last season for 66 years but two of them did go for touchdowns. However, despite his low catch total, Lewis played on 41.22% of the team’s snaps, which was seventh-most among offensive skill position players.
“For older players, there’s two things where they could potentially not get picked up,” Lewis said. “One is that their play is declining for their role. The second thing is they’re asking for too much money. I’m neither of those. I just want to compete.”
Marcedes Lewis was one of the NFL’s oldest players last season
Marcedes Lewis was the sixth-oldest player in the NFL last season just behind Aaron Rodgers, his old teammate in Green Bay. Tom Brady was the oldest player in the league by nearly a half decade at 45 years old but he retired this offseason.
Punter Andy Lee was the second-oldest player last season but the Arizona Cardinals appeared to be moving on from him as their starting punter. Lee is currently a free agent and the team has signed other players.
If Lee is not signed and Brady stays retired, kicker Robbie Gould could be the oldest player in the league. But he is also a free agent, meaning Lewis could be the second-oldest player in the league if he signs another contract.