The Green Bay Packers are bringing back veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis with a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Lewis, who turns 35 in May, signed a one-year deal to join the Packers last summer. He played in all 16 games in 2018 but managed only three catches for 39 yards.
The return of Lewis will give new coach Matt LaFleur an accomplished and willing blocker at tight end behind Jimmy Graham. Although Lewis was underused last season, he could be of much greater use to LaFleur, who plans to install a run-heavy offense in Green Bay.
The move also reunites Lewis with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who was in Jacksonville with Lewis during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Lewis had one of his best professional seasons in 2017, catching five touchdown passes and helping the Jaguars lead the NFL in rushing yards.
The Packers now have Graham, Lewis and second-year player Robert Tonyan under contract at tight end. Veteran Lance Kendricks is an unrestricted free agent. The Packers could use a draft pick on a deep class of incoming tight ends to bolster the group next month.
