Marcedes Lewis switches sides in the Bears-Packers rivalry as new veteran voice in Chicago
Father Time can't contain tight end Marcedes Lewis as he will trying out the opposite side of the NFL's oldest rivalry this season, joining the Chicago Bears after spending his last five seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The 39-year-old is set to enter into his record-setting 18th season and will get the opportunity to […]
Father Time can't contain tight end Marcedes Lewis as he will trying out the opposite side of the NFL's oldest rivalry this season, joining the Chicago Bears after spending his last five seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
The 39-year-old is set to enter into his record-setting 18th season and will get the opportunity to face off against his former team this weekend. When he steps onto Solider Field for the first time as a Bear on Sunday, he will officially break his tie with Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez for the most seasons ever played by a tight end.
As his career has progressed, the former Pro Bowler has modified his game in order to still keep up with the younger, faster players entering the league. Lewis became an exceptional run blocker during his tenure the Packers, serving primarily as the team's sixth offensive lineman.
However, his key impact on the team came off the field and in the locker room. His veteran voice has helped countless players mature through the growing pains associated with being a player in the NFL.
That impact in the locker room became a major reason why Bears general manager Ryan Poles decided to bring in a player he considers a "pro's pro." His wisdom and expertise has already rubbed off on his new teammates, including quarterback Justin Fields.
"I think what makes him different than most players is his mindset and how he attacks every day," Fields explained while talking to reporters before Wednesday's practice. "It's definitely great having him on team and just being able to share his experiences, his kind of tribulations through the years of him being in the league, and just learn from him."
Lewis won't just be making new connections in Chicago, he will also be reuniting with two other former Packers, fellow tight end Robert Tonyan and offensive coordinator Luke Getsky. Lewis and Tonyan spent five seasons together in Green Bay inside the tight end room and the two shared three seasons alongside Getsky.
Those three years proved to be plenty of time for the Bears' offensive coordinator to vouch for the two players to join the roster this season. Lewis especially, who Getsky praised while talking to reporters back in early August.
“I got to see first-hand the leadership he brings to the locker room and no one will ever turn that away," Getsky said. "His ability to kind of slow the situation down, whether it was a rough practice, whether it was a rough game, he’s the guy who was kind of the stability. He just stands up and goes, ‘Guys, this is the National Football League, we can’t do this. We’ve got to stick together,’ and that good stuff. He’s just a solid rock.”
The former first-round pick might not be the most impactful player in the Bears' offense, but there's no denying the overall impact his presence will bring into the Bears' locker room this season.
Updated status for major players in Bears-Packers Week 1 matchup
Things might get a lot easier for the Bears secondary.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
