Marcedes Lewis catches a ball. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

A veteran NFL tight end and former Pro Bowler is returning for a 19th NFL season.

One-time Pro Bowler Marcedes Lewis told NFL insider Jay Glazer of Fox Sports that he’s returning to play another year for the Chicago Bears. Among all active players under contract, Lewis is the second-longest-tenured player behind New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Lewis, who turned 40 years of age last month, was drafted 28th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars back in 2006. Lewis spent 12 seasons with the franchise before joining the Green Bay Packers in 2018, where he would play until 2022.

The one-time Pro Bowler signed with the rebuilding Bears last year, appearing in all 17 regular season games. Marcedes Lewis was used primarily as a blocker, hauling in four receptions for 29 yards and one touchdown.

The Bears have been one of football’s busiest teams this offseason, having used the first overall pick on USC quarterback Caleb Williams before taking Washington wideout Rome Odunze at No. 9 overall.

GM Ryan Poles traded for ex-Los Angeles Chargers Pro Bowler and wideout Keenan Allen and signed running back D’Andre Swift to bolster the offense. Throw in the return of Lewis and his superb blocking, and you have the makings for a top-10 offensive unit in 2024.

Chicago will open its 2024 season with a home tilt against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 8.

Marcedes Lewis Was A Pro Bowler In 2010

Marcedes Lewis had his best season back in 2010 on an otherwise mediocre Jacksonville Jaguars team. That year, he set career highs across the board with 58 receptions for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Jacksonville was close to winning the AFC South crown that year, but a brutal three-game losing streak to close out the season opened the door for Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts to win the division once again.

For his career, Lewis has 436 receptions for 5,113 yards and 40 touchdowns.