The Green Bay Packers, like the rest of the NFL, are in the part of the year where there is nothing on the schedule, right between the offseason program and training camp. For most fans, including myself, this is the worst time to be a football fan. So what do I do to pass the time?
I scan the NFL free agent list, of course.
There are a ton of very big names on that list, which makes this a fun activity to pass the time. Most are unlikely, if not impossible moves, but it’s fun nonetheless. Like, how awesome, and ironic, would it be to see DeAndre Hopkins posting Green Bay, WI as his location on his instagram story?
However, at a certain point down this list, the serious Green Bay Packers fan in me came out. Someone jumped out at me and made me think he’d be an instant impact for this team. To me, with how this team is currently constructed, this player could make a huge difference, both in the locker room and on the field.
To me, that person is Marcedes Lewis.
The Green Bay Packers Need to Bring Back Big Dog
Marcedes Lewis adds so much to the Packers with very little risk. So lets get the risks out of the way early.
The biggest risk (and only, in my opinion), is obviously his age. Lewis just turned 39 on May 19, which easily makes him one of the oldest active NFL players. Not only this, but his age immediately makes him an outlier on the current roster, as the Packers have drastically reduced the average age in the locker room.
However, despite being alive for nearly four decades, the 6-foot-6, 276 pound tight end played in all 17 games in 2022 for the Green Bay Packers. Over those 17 games, Pro Football Focus shows he logged an average of just over 26 snaps per game, showing off his great durability.
With this type of drive, commitment, experience and knowledge, Lewis would be a great addition to any team, especially a young one. Even more so, a team with an extremely young tight end room.
Sounds a lot like the Green Bay Packers.
Marcedes Lewis is the Perfect Teacher for Musgrave, Kraft
The Packers made it very clear that the tight end position is a big point of emphasis for them by drafting Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft. However, this, combined with Robert Tonyan and Lewis not being on the current roster, leaves the projected roster to have two rookies and Josiah Deguara. And while I like Josiah Deguara, he has a significant injury history and has yet to prove himself.
With all of this considered, Marcedes Lewis is the perfect man to bring into that room. Musgrave and Kraft both has tremendous potential, and showed that during the offseason program, but at the end of the day, they are rookies. Expectations need to be held in check, leaving concerns of development and production on the table. Lewis can help with both of those concerns.
Big dog has 17 years of NFL tight end experience. This puts him in elite company, tying him with Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez for the most of all time. That kind of experience in the locker and film rooms cannot be undervalued considering the Green Bay Packers’ current tight end situation.
And while he’s helping out with the youngsters with the schoolwork, he can also assist on the field.
Marcedes Lewis Brings A Different Element to the Tight End Group
Another huge positive to signing Big Dog is he can provide meaningful snaps on Sundays. The current room has a lot of pass-catching excitement surrounding it. And while I fully expect Kraft and Musgrave to develop into great all-around tight ends, blocking is admittedly not at the top of the list of why I’m excited to have them on the roster.
In comes Lewis. He can certainly catch the ball if called upon, using his massive frame to his advantage, but this has never been his best quality. The Long Beach, CA native has always been known for his blocking, as shown by the crazy stat below against the two other longest tenured tight ends.
The perfect compliment to a pass-catching room, and providing Jordan Love with another blocker when called upon.
The Green Bay Packers, Marcedes Lewis is a Mutually Beneficial Relationship
The Green Bay Packers have a never ending list of why Lewis would be a great addition to the team. Aside from the reasons mentioned above, he would be in his sixth season with the Packers if he were to get signed. Meaning he would be here for all of Matt LaFleur’s years with the team. He knows the system.
Lewis would also bring invaluable leadership to the young locker room, showing all the young players how to be a professional.
Lastly, he would certainly come in motivated to play. Lewis is on record saying he would love to break the record for most seasons played by a tight end, in which he is one short.
Big Dog is even out here selling himself to the NFL.
And he has a point.
With all things considered, this is one of the biggest no-brainers in the history of no-brainers. The Green Bay Packers should without-a-doubt sign Marcedes Lewis.
Do the right thing, Packers. Better yet, the smart thing.
Bring Big Dog back to the Frozen Tundra.
Way-Too-Early Green Bay Packers 53-Man Roster Predictions
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