Less than two weeks into training camp, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles is proving he’ll make any move necessary to put the team in position to succeed in his second season.
Not even 12 hours after agreeing to terms with defensive end Yannick Ngakoue on a one-year contract, the Bears signed veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis to a one-year deal.
Lewis, 39, is entering his 18th season after spending the last five years with the Green Bay Packers, with whom he got to know Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. The Bears added a tight end familiar with the scheme earlier in the offseason in ex-Packer Robert Tonyan, and by bringing Lewis into the fold, the position room will be more complete.
While Lewis caught only six passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns last season, the Bears are not signing him to be a threat in the passing game. They believe that area is covered with recently extended Cole Kmet and Tonyan. Lewis will function as a Y tight end (blocker) for an offense that led the NFL in rushing a year ago and will likely be heavily run-based this season.
Lewis adds another dimension for Getsy to utilize in 12 personnel (one running back, two wide receivers, two tight ends).
The addition of Lewis can be viewed as a move for the locker room as well. He was revered in Green Bay with former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers often referring to him as “Big Dog.” With a young Bears roster, Poles is likely seeking a leadership component on that side of the ball.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Lewis at No. 28 in 2006 — the year before the Bears selected Greg Olsen in the first round — and he spent the first 12 years of his career in Jacksonville. Lewis has 432 career receptions for 5,084 yards and 39 touchdowns. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2010.
Ngakoue’s deal is reportedly worth $10.5 million, and Lewis’ contract will likely be substantially less, leaving Poles and the team with ample salary-cap space remaining heading into the season.
The Bears released DL Jalyn Holmes to create a spot for Ngakoue and need need to make another move Lewis when his signing is official. Tight end Chase Allen has missed practice since Monday with an undisclosed injury.