Marcedes Lewis will take his career into a 19th NFL season.
The tight end, who turned 40 last month, has re-signed with the Chicago Bears, the team announced on Monday.
Lewis appeared in all 17 games for the Bears in 2023, including four starts. The man known as "Big Dog" is primarily a blocking tight end at this stage. Last year, he caught four passes for 29 yards and a touchdown.
Despite his age, the former Jacksonville Jaguars first-rounder remains one of the best run-blocking tight ends in the game. His strength pairs well in a TE room with Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett, two primary pass catchers. Bringing back Lewis is the latest smart move by the front office to buffer the offense around No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.
If he makes the final roster, Lewis would be in line to break Jason Witten’s record for most regular season games played by a tight end. Witten, the longtime Dallas Cowboys TE, played 271 games. Lewis sits at 268.