Why the Bears re-signed a 40-year-old tight end

So, why in the world did the Bears decide to bring back a tight end who just turned 40 in May and only caught a total of four passes with the team last season? 

Well, it seems like Chicago's latest signing has more to do with helping a young roster learn how to remain productive in the NFL for as long as possible, especially when it comes to Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.

Lewis has played with a variety of different quarterbacks during his time in the league, including Aaron Rodgers, Blaine Gabbert, Blake Bortles, Justin Fields, Chad Henne and David Gerrard.

It's safe to say that in working with all of these signal-callers, the veteran tight end has learned what it takes for a quarterback to become great in the NFL and also what a young passer should avoid during his development.

In addition to his experience, Lewis is still one of the best blocking tight ends in the league. With Chicago last season, he finished with the fifth-best run-blocking grade from PFF among qualifying tight ends.

His excellence as a blocker played a large part in him also earning the fifth-best overall offensive grade from PFF among tight ends during the 2023 campaign, ahead of guys like Sam LaPorta, Evan Engram, Dalton Schultz, and Dallas Goedert.

Lastly, Lewis was universally adored inside the Bears locker room last season. Near the end of the 2023 campaign, Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus shared how the veteran tight end helped the team with more than just his on-field skills.

"The guys love him for who he is," Eberflus said. "He's a special, special guy. He's really done a nice job of leading not only the tight end room but also helps with the offense and the whole football team. He's a sounding board for me many times, and he's done a fabulous job."

After 18 years in the NFL, Lewis already shares the record for the most seasons in the league by a tight end with Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. If he ends up making the Bears' final 2024 roster and increases his tenure in the NFL to 19 seasons, then that record will become all his.