Packers' Marcedes Lewis set to tie record for most seasons by a TE

The NFL record for most seasons played by a tight end is 17, held by Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez and 11-time Pro Bowler Jason Witten. Lewis will tie that record this year. What is astonishing about this feat is that Lewis did not plan on playing more than 10 years in the NFL. By that time, he figured, he would either be too hurt to play or lose his passion for the game. That did not happen.

The longevity of Lewis’ career is really something special. He has played in 234 regular-season games, which ranks 99th all time. For reference, Witten played 271 NFL regular-season games, and Tony Gonzalez played 270. Of course, Lewis may not have been able to stay in the NFL this long if not for the Green Bay Packers.

Lewis and the Green Bay Packers Are Perfect for Each Other

There was a time during his NFL career that Lewis was a more traditional receiving tight end. In 2010, he made the Pro Bowl as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars after catching 58 passes for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns. Over time, though, Lewis has evolved his game to become more a blocking tight end. As he has aged and slowed, his has remained strong and capable as an extra blocker at the line of scrimmage. Oftentimes, Lewis is referred to as a bonus offensive lineman in the Packers offense. It is easy to see why:

While his best receiving days are behind him, there are times in which Lewis turns back the clock and runs with the best of them:

As fun as these plays are to watch, they are not the only ways in which Lewis has helped the Green Bay Packers. Lewis has taken Robert Tonyan under his wing to teach him the intricacies of being a Y-tight end:

How Long Will Marcedes Lewis Keep Playing?

Lewis is under contract for this season with the Green Bay Packers, ensuring that he will at least tie the record for most seasons played by a tight end. He does, however, want to break the record by playing 18 seasons. 

Lewis said, “This year, I’ll tie the record. It would be great to break it and then I would consider, ‘OK, I’ve done that.’ Eighteen is kind of bizarre, especially at the tight end position.”

Of course, there is one thing that Lewis wants more than the record: a Super Bowl ring. Hopefully the Packers can get him that ring this season. One has to assume that Green Bay will be ready, willing and able to bring him back in 2023 if he desires to come back. He would be a low-cost free agent and, as seen above, is a great mentor to younger players.