Marcedes Lewis, UCLA legend, reportedly signing with new NFL team

Marcedes Lewis is gearing up to play another professional season. The former UCLA standout is reportedly headed to Chicago.

Lewis will be playing an 18th professional season, a record among tight ends.

The #Bears are finalizing a deal with veteran TE Marcedes Lewis, per sources.

This will be Lewis’ 18th NFL season — breaking a tie with Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez for the most ever played by a tight end. pic.twitter.com/irDF3VSYF4

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 4, 2023

Lewis played at UCLA from 2002-to-2005, capping his career with the John Mackey Award along with All-Pac 10 and All-American honors. He was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Lewis with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He remained with the Jaguars through the 2017 season, earning second-team All-Pro recognition and a Pro Bowl selection.

Lewis was released by the Jaguars after 12 seasons and landed with the Green Bay Packers ahead of the 2018 season. He remained with Green Bay through last season, starting all 17 games.

Over 17 seasons, Lewis has played in 251 regular-season games, starting 221 contests. He has 432 receptions for 5,084 yards and 39 touchdowns in regular-season action. Lewis has also started 10 postseason contests, logging 16 catches for 153 yards and a TD.