The list of tight ends to play into their late 30s is short, but a few have joined Marcedes Lewis in logging an age-38 season. Antonio Gates, Jason Witten and Hall of Famer Jackie Smith did so. Only Ben Watson has voyaged into an age-39 campaign.
Lewis, who turned 39 last month, is attempting to join Watson and set a tight end record in the process. While Watson played until age 39, he suited up in 16 seasons. Lewis, Witten and Tony Gonzalez are the only two to reach 17. Lewis will attempt to wade into uncharted waters by playing an 18th. The former Jaguars and Packers tight end is not planning to retire and has said conversations with multiple teams have occurred this offseason.
“I get the business side of it. My agent is in talks with a handful of teams, but it’s just small talk,” Lewis said, via The Associated Press’ Mark Long. “I guess teams are trying to figure out their rosters and what they need.”
The Packers carried Lewis on their roster for the past four seasons, utilizing the 270-pound tight end’s blocking prowess. Green Bay has since moved on from some of its veterans, and the team used two Day 2 picks at the position (second-rounder Luke Musgrave, third-rounder Tucker Kraft). The Pack let Robert Tonyan, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb walk in free agency, being set to outfit Jordan Love with a full complement of rookie-contract players in the QB’s first year as a starter. Lewis may not be entirely out of the picture for a Green Bay return. But multiple reports earlier this year indicated the team is unlikely to make another contract offer.
The obvious team for the former Jags first-rounder would be the Jets. Aaron Rodgers is believed to have placed the four-year Packer on his Jets wish list. Considering the team’s additions of Cobb, Lazard and Billy Turner, it would not surprise if Lewis became another ex-Nathaniel Hackett Green Bay charge to head to the Big Apple. Robert Saleh did not shut this down when asked about the prospect recently, though the Jets do employ veterans Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah along with 2022 third-rounder Jeremy Ruckert and seventh-round rookie Zack Kuntz.
A Raiders agreement also came up on Lewis’ radar, per Long, but the team’s trade-up move for Michael Mayer at No. 35 may scuttle that. Las Vegas also added Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard this offseason. Lewis would be eager to mentor a tight end prospect, but a deal would likely come together closer to training camp or during preseason workouts — as teams assess their various position groups to determine needs.
“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.”
Lewis, who signed three Packers contracts from 2019-22, played out a two-year deal worth $5.92MM last season. Working as the Pack’s primary blocking tight end, Lewis started 17 games — only Gonzalez (254) and Witten (252) top Lewis’ 221 starts among tight ends — and played 451 offensive snaps. Lewis, who has missed one game over the past six seasons, played between 400 and 500 snaps in each of his four Green Bay slates. Pro Football Focus graded the 6-foot-6 veteran as the fifth-best run-blocking tight end in 2022.
I am going to take a wild guess and say maybe the Jets
It’s a distinct possibility, but it’s hard to carry five tight ends, especially when there’s an incentive to have a third QB on the 53-man roster instead of the practice squad. Zack Kuntz is a freak athlete, so I think they’re going to fit him in the 53 instead of exposing him to waivers. It’s possible the Jets sign Lewis instead of carrying Bawden as an FB.
Finish it in jax.
The Udonis Haslem of the NFL.
Ozzie Newsome should return for a single game and claim the age record for TEs.
If not Jets, maybe teams like Cowboys or Dolphins