The Chicago Bears sent their veterans home until training camp with only the team?s rookies sticking around for a one-day OTA session on Wednesday, June 12. This makes for a fitting time to explore reuniting with one of the more veteran players in the league, tight end Marcedes Lewis.
Lewis was a late-offseason addition to the Bears? roster, signing a one-year deal in August 2023. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound tight end is around more for blocking and a vet presence.
Lewis ? who began his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars ? hopes to bring that back to Chicago for his 19th NFL season.
Marcedes Lewis ‘Intends’ to Re-Sign With Bears: Report
Bears to Meet With Marcedes Lewis
?A little Sunday scoopage for @ChicagoBears fans, @MarcedesLewis89 tells me he is going to Chicago to meet with team tomorrow with intention of re-signing there tomorrow,? Fox Sports? Jay Glazer reported on X on June 9. ?Barring something unforeseen this will be Lewis?s 19th season as he comes in to help a young QB. 19 seasons, unreal #bears?
Lewis appeared in all 17 regular season games, catching four of five targets for 29 yards and one touchdown. He arrived from the Green Bay Packers with a strong reputation for his leadership and was praised by Bears personnel for that.
Lewis joins a similar hierarchy to last season, with Cole Kmet positioned at the top of the pecking order. Behind him, though, is free agent signee Gerald Everett. Again, Lewis? greatest on-field strength is his blocking ability, and neither Kmet nor Everett is at his level.
Kmet has the size and can still get strong enough to get there. But Everett is more of a big receiver than an in-line blocker.
Marcedes Lewis Touted Bears? Growth in 2023
Lewis? late arrival to the Bears did not keep him from witnessing the tumult that ensued even after their offseason of injury and intrigue.
Still, he was a big proponent of the growth and development they showed along the way.
A reliable tight end can be a quarterback?s best friend, especially a rookie like Caleb Williams whose ability to play in structure has been questioned. Lewis will not provide a consistent threat between the 20s.
However, he will allow the Bears to put some bigger bodies on the field in the red zone. They struggled there last season and hope Williams? natural abilities can make up the difference.
Bears Add More Veteran Leadership Around Caleb Williams
Much was made about Williams? ability to come in and lead a locker room of professionals. But the Bears had done well by bringing in veterans to assume those roles in the locker room even before tabbing the former USC Trojan as their quarterback of the future.
It should make Williams? transition to the league easier, with several experienced voices around to help guide him early in his journey.
If it is not Lewis, it can be wide receiver Keenan Allen, with who Willams had a preexisting relationship.
Defensively, the Bears have a young group that has admitted they want to challenge Williams early on, but only to prepare him for what lies ahead. Many on that side have also come out in strong support of the rookie, which is a promising sign for everyone involved.
