The Packers have officially signed free agent tight end Marcedes Lewis. Lewis first made the agreement public via Instagram on Thursday following his visit to Green Bay’s facilities.
Green Bay, of course, already inked fellow tight end Jimmy Graham earlier this offseason, but Graham is far more likely to be placed in the slot than actually line up and block. While he’ll likely compete for backup tight end snaps with incumbent Lance Kendricks, Lewis may have the advantage, especially in the run game. Indeed, Pro Football Focus graded Lewis as the single-best run-blocking tight end in the NFL in 2017.
Lewis, who turned 34 years old last week, hasn’t been a prolific receiving threat in roughly a half-dozen years, but he won’t be asked to work much in the passing game given the presence of Graham and starting receivers Davante Adams and Randall Cobb. Last season, Lewis posted numbers roughly in line with his age-30+ production, managing 24 receptions for 318 yards and five touchdowns, three of which came in a single Week 3 contest against the Ravens.
The Packers were the only club known to have expressed interest in Lewis, who was released by the Jaguars in late March. Jacksonville’s decision to part ways with Lewis came as a surprise, especially given that the club had exercised his 2018 option just a month prior. Lewis had been set to earn a base salary of $3.5MM for the upcoming campaign, but the Jaguars cleared that entire total by releasing the veteran tight end.
Green Bay won’t have to worry about sacrificing a compensatory pick in exchange for signing Lewis, as the May 8 deadline for free agents to factor into the comp pick formula has already passed. That may have been a more important consideration for former Packers general manager Ted Thompson, as new GM Brian Gutekunst has shown a willingness to explore free agency.
I don’t get it!!!! Aaron Rodgers doesn’t throw to his tight ends! Why do they keep this up?!
He does when they have TEs that can get open! Do you not remember a couple years ago when Jared Cook was healthy? Or how about when Jermichael Finley was playing??
Lewis, who turned 34 years old last week, hasn’t been a prolific receiving threat in roughly a half-dozen years, but he won’t be asked to work much in the passing game given the presence of Graham and starting receivers Davante Adams and Randall Cobb.
Reading…..try it sometime.
Obviously Dan isnt being serious, only a moron would make such a statement not in a joking manner
Thank you.
Extra butter please.
He also wouldn’t factor into the compensatory calc because he was released.
yea id say GB upgraded the TE position quite well this off-season.
Out: Bennett & Rodgers
In: Graham & Lewis
Theoretically should be really good. I like Lewis over Rodgers a lot. I assume Graham won’t come with the same issues as Bennett did last year either.
I think this is a great signing for the Pack, and it’s not as if Lewis is useless in the passing game, even if he is going to primarily be used as a blocker.
Lewis is a perfect fit for GB. Bet he gets quite a few sneaky TD’s in the red zone as well. Going to make a lot of Graham fantasy owners upset.
I like this signing. Does anyone know the terms of the contract?