Marcedes Lewis Waived by Broncos: A Legendary NFL Career Nears Its Final Chapter
As Week 15 approaches, a familiar name to NFL fans-especially those who’ve followed the game for the past two decades-is hitting the waiver wire. The Denver Broncos have released veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis, one of the league’s oldest active players at age 41.
Lewis’ time in Denver was brief. Signed earlier this season, he appeared in four games but didn’t see a single target in the passing game.
His role was strictly as a blocker-something he’s embraced in the latter stages of his career. And while this move may signal the end of his playing days, there’s always a chance a playoff-bound team looking for veteran depth and blocking help could give him one last ride.
If this is it, though, what a journey it’s been.
Lewis entered the league as a first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars and immediately made his presence felt. Over 12 seasons in Jacksonville, he became one of the franchise’s most dependable weapons, catching 375 passes for 4,052 yards and 33 touchdowns. He earned a Pro Bowl nod along the way and was a key figure during some of the Jaguars' most competitive years.
His next stop was Green Bay, where he spent five seasons with the Packers. While his receiving numbers dipped-he totaled just six touchdowns during that span-his value was never just about the stat sheet. Lewis became a trusted veteran in the locker room and a key part of the Packers’ run-heavy sets, earning respect for his willingness to do the dirty work in the trenches.
Then came two seasons in Chicago, where Lewis fully leaned into his role as a blocking specialist. Across 34 games with the Bears, he caught just five passes, but his impact was felt in the run game and in his mentorship of younger players. That evolution from pass-catching threat to blocking technician is a testament to his football IQ and adaptability-traits that helped him last 20 seasons in one of the most physically demanding positions in the sport.
His short stint with the Broncos was more of the same: no flash, no fanfare, just a veteran doing his job, paving lanes and protecting quarterbacks.
If this is indeed the final stop in Marcedes Lewis’ career, he walks away as a one-time Pro Bowler and a 20-year NFL veteran-an incredible feat for any player, let alone a tight end. His longevity, consistency, and willingness to reinvent himself as his role changed over time speak volumes about his professionalism and love for the game.
Not many players get to write a career like this. And even fewer do it with the kind of quiet reliability that defined Marcedes Lewis from day one.