Marcedes Lewis Bio
Marcedes Alexis Lewis is an American professional football tight end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 19, 1984, in Los Alamitos, California, he is one of the most respected blocking tight ends of his era. As of the 2025 season, he is recognized as one of the oldest tight ends in NFL history and is still contributing at the pro level.
Nicknamed “Big Dog,” Lewis has built a reputation for toughness, durability, and consistency since entering the league in 2006. He was selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft and has remained an active player across nearly two decades of professional football. His career has bridged multiple eras of offensive football and several contending rosters.
Early Life and Background
Lewis was born in Los Alamitos, California, and grew up in the greater Long Beach area. He attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California, where he played high school football for the Jackrabbits. In 2001, he competed in a nationally televised high school game against De La Salle of Concord, California, which helped establish his reputation as a national recruit.
As a senior, Lewis was named a Parade magazine high school All-American and was considered a top prospect by all major recruiting services. His combination of size, athleticism, and hands made him one of the most sought-after tight end recruits in the country.
Path to Professional Football
Lewis attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he played college football for the UCLA Bruins from 2002 to 2005. Over his college career, he played in 49 games and made 32 starts, ranking ninth on the school’s overall career receiving list and first among tight ends with 126 receptions. He also set UCLA tight end all-time records with 1,571 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.
As a senior in 2005, Lewis earned first-team All-Pacific-10 honors, was named a consensus All-American, and won the John Mackey Award, given annually to the top tight end in college football. He was later inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the 2022 class. Following his senior season, he declared for the NFL Draft and was selected with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Marcedes Lewis Career
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2006–2017)
Lewis signed a five-year, $7.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars in July 2006. He made his NFL debut in Week 2 of the 2006 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 9–0 victory and scored his first professional touchdown later that year against the Buffalo Bills. After finishing his rookie season with 13 receptions, his role expanded significantly, and by his second year he started all 16 games and posted 37 receptions for 391 receiving yards.
Lewis continued to develop into one of the league’s most reliable pass-catching tight ends. In the 2010 season, he matched the Jaguars single-season touchdown receptions record with 10 scores and was selected to his first Pro Bowl. He signed a five-year extension reportedly worth about $35 million in 2011, and in 2012 he recorded his first career 100-yard game. In 2017, he posted a career-high three receiving touchdowns in a single game against the Baltimore Ravens before leaving Jacksonville after 12 seasons.
Green Bay Packers Era (2018–2022)
Lewis signed a one-year, $2.1 million contract with the Green Bay Packers on May 24, 2018. He caught his first pass as a Packer during a Week 9 game against the New England Patriots and finished his first season in Green Bay with three catches for 39 yards. In 2019, he caught his first touchdown with the team from Aaron Rodgers and helped the Packers reach the NFC Championship Game.
Lewis re-signed with the Packers multiple times, eventually agreeing to a two-year, $8 million deal in 2021. In a Week 15 victory over the Baltimore Ravens that season, he surpassed 5,000 career receiving yards. He started all 17 games during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, serving as a steady veteran presence and dependable blocker alongside Aaron Rodgers. He finished his Green Bay tenure after the 2022 season.
Chicago Bears Era (2023–2024)
Lewis signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears on August 4, 2023, and appeared in all 17 games with four starts. He worked primarily as a blocker but also caught a one-yard touchdown in a 27–16 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He re-signed with the Bears on a one-year contract on June 10, 2024, after initially entering free agency.
During the 2024 season, Lewis appeared in 17 games and started five. In a Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams, he broke a tie with Jason Witten for the most career games played by a tight end with 272 appearances. His leadership and run-blocking remained central to his role on the team.
Denver Broncos Era (2025–Present)
Lewis signed with the Denver Broncos’ practice squad on October 29, 2025, and was elevated to the active roster for Week 9 against the Houston Texans. That appearance made him the oldest tight end ever to play in an NFL game and the oldest player in Denver Broncos history. On December 6, he was promoted to the active roster, and he continued to contribute as a veteran presence before being waived and re-signed to the practice squad on December 11.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lewis is widely regarded as one of the premier blocking tight ends of his generation, combining rare size and toughness with reliable hands. His ability to function as an in-line blocker while also serving as a security blanket in the passing game has allowed him to remain valuable even as his athletic profile evolved with age. He is also respected for his football intelligence and steady locker-room presence.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his standout moments, Lewis matched the Jaguars single-season touchdown receptions record with 10 in 2010 and earned his lone Pro Bowl selection that same year. He has also surpassed 5,000 career receiving yards, set the all-time UCLA tight end receiving records, and broke Jason Witten’s career games-played record for tight ends in 2024.
Marcedes Lewis Career Wins
Lewis’s career statistics reflect a long and productive run across multiple franchises, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Denver Broncos. He has surpassed 5,000 career receiving yards and has caught more than 40 career touchdowns, establishing himself among the most accomplished tight ends of his generation.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Lewis made his NFL debut in 2006 and quickly became a starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars. His most prolific statistical season came in 2010, when he matched the Jaguars single-season touchdown receptions record with 10 scores. He also earned his only Pro Bowl selection that year after being named as an alternate in 2009.
Other Wins and Performances
In college, Lewis won the John Mackey Award in 2005 and was a consensus All-American. With the Packers, he helped his team reach multiple NFC Championship Games, including appearances following the 2019, 2020, and 2021 seasons. He also set career milestones in 2021 by surpassing 5,000 career receiving yards and in 2024 by breaking the all-time career games record for tight ends.
Marcedes Lewis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Lewis grew up in Los Alamitos, California, within the broader Long Beach community. He has remained active in his hometown, holding football camps that combine athletic development with academics for young athletes.
Personal Life
Lewis is an avid fan and practitioner of mixed martial arts and has trained in the past with UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell. He frequently attends UFC events and was most recently seen at UFC 303 in Las Vegas, Nevada, alongside former teammate Aaron Rodgers.
2025 Season Performance
Marcedes Lewis began the 2025 season as a free agent before joining the Denver Broncos’ practice squad on October 29, 2025. His elevation to the active roster for Week 9 against the Houston Texans made him the oldest tight end ever to play in an NFL game and the oldest player in Broncos history. He continued to appear for the team through the rest of the regular season.
Lewis’s role with the Broncos centered on veteran leadership, blocking, and situational tight end duties. His presence provided a steady in-line option for the offense and a respected voice in the locker room during the back half of the schedule.
Looking back across nearly two decades in the NFL, Lewis’s 2025 campaign reinforced his standing as one of the most durable and well-respected tight ends in league history. Whether or not he continues in 2026, his longevity and consistency have already secured his place among the all-time great tight ends.