Green Bay Packers Cut ’em or Keep ’em & Prediction: Marcedes Lewis
By Paul Bretl
The final player that I will be taking a look at in my Cut ’em or Keep ’em & Prediction series is Green Bay Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis.
Out of all 32 NFL teams, the Green Bay Packers have the second-most amount of cap space to clear this offseason, ahead of only New Orleans. And with that, there are going to be some difficult personnel and financial decisions for Brian Gutekunst and Russ Ball.
In the Cut ’em or Keep ’em & Prediction series, I’ve been taking a look at each potential veteran cut that the Packers could make, laying out why Green Bay could keep that player, why they could choose to cut them, and then I make my prediction at the end.
If you have missed any of the other previous player profiles, you can find them all below.
Why the Green Bay Packers could keep Marcedes Lewis
2022 cap hit: $4.52 million
After a few one-year deals with the Green Bay Packers, Marcedes Lewis signed a two-year contract prior to the 2021 season. That makes 2022 the final year of that deal.
As we all know, Big Dog hasn’t been a big factor in the passing game, that’s just not what he’s asked to do, but he did take on a larger role as a pass-catcher in 2021 with Robert Tonyan missing time. Lewis would record 23 receptions and 214 receiving yards–the most in each category since 2017, his final season in Jacksonville.
But where Lewis truly makes his impact is as a blocker, as well as in the leadership role that he has assumed, being named one of the Packers team captains this past season. According to PFF ($$), out of 85 eligible tight ends, Lewis finished the 2021 season as the 10th highest-graded pass-blocking tight end and the eighth-highest graded run-blocker.
In an era of football where tight ends are stretching the field more than ever, Lewis’ ability as a blocker, which at times is like having a sixth offensive lineman on the field, plays a very important role in Matt LaFleur’s offense–creating running lanes, setting the edge, and providing extra time for Aaron Rodgers in the passing game.
Although Lewis may be nearing 38 years of age, he is still among the best blocking tight ends in the game, as referenced above, and he’s been extremely durable, missing only one game during his four seasons in Green Bay.