Chicago Bears announced on Monday that Marcedes Lewis will be continuing his NFL career for a remarkable 19th season after signing a one-year deal with the team. Lewis, who turned 40 on May 19, now holds the title of the second-oldest player in the NFL, trailing only New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Last season, Lewis broke a tie with Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez for the most seasons played at the tight end position. The former first-round draft pick was a crucial leader for the young Bears team, which finished the previous season with a record of 7-10.

Throughout the 2023 season, Lewis appeared in 17 games with four starts. His standout performance came in Week 16, where he scored his sole touchdown of the season during the Bears' victory over the Arizona Cardinals. His presence in the locker room was highly regarded by his teammates and coaches alike.

Former Bears offensive coordinator, Luke Getsy, spoke highly of Lewis's impact, stating, "One of the coolest things in my mind that I got to see was just, you've got this guy that's in the room that's ascending to be a really high-level player, that has Marcedes there to lean on him to see what kind of professional he is, the mentality he brings, all that stuff...and on top of it, he's out there doing his job at an elite level still at his age."

Marcedes Lewis spent the first 12 years of his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being drafted as the 28th overall pick in 2006. During his tenure with the Jaguars, Lewis accumulated impressive stats of 375 receptions for 4,502 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Following his time with the Jaguars, Lewis spent the next five years with the Green Bay Packers, contributing 57 catches for 582 yards and six touchdowns.

With his extensive experience and leadership qualities, Marcedes Lewis undoubtedly brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to the Bears' roster. His signing is yet another strong addition to the team as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season.