Instant analysis of the Bears signing TE Marcedes Lewis

The Chicago Bears front office has been surprisingly busy over the last 12 hours or so. First came news of GM Ryan Poles signing DE Yannick Ngakoue to a one-year, $10.5 million deal. It’s a move that shores up the Bears’ biggest weakness on defense and immediately flips the roster into a playoff-caliber group.

It was assumed that would be Poles’ final big move. And maybe it was. But it wasn’t his last.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted Friday that the Bears are putting the final touches on a deal with veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis.

The #Bears are finalizing a deal with veteran TE Marcedes Lewis, per sources.

This will be Lewis’ 18th NFL season — breaking a tie with Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez for the most ever played by a tight end. pic.twitter.com/irDF3VSYF4

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 4, 2023

It never hurts to sign a veteran player who’s played the past five seasons with the Green Bay Packers, and for as much as Bears fans are suggesting this is another great move by Poles, I’m not certain I agree.

Adding Lewis is like playing with a sixth offensive lineman on the field — he’ll help the running game. But there’s virtually no role for him as a receiver, and at best, he’ll be the No. 3 tight end on the final roster.

Marcedes Lewis appeared in all 17 games last season and finished the year with just six catches for 66 yards and zero touchdowns.

Would it make more sense for Chicago to keep a younger player like Chase Allen? A receiving tight end who has some developmental upside?

Signing Lewis doesn’t necessarily mean Allen won’t make the team. But it does hurt his chances.

Regardless, the Chicago Bears must have a plan in mind for Lewis, and it could be as simple as veteran leadership in the locker room. It’s a strategy that pays dividends off the field, even if the production on the field is minimal.