Free agent TE Marcedes Lewis, 41, envisions 2025 season as last

Field Level Media|published: 05/29/2025, 2:02pm EDT

Oct 1, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Marcedes Lewis (84) makes a catch against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Free agent tight end Marcedes Lewis is planning to hang up his cleats at the end of the 2025 season.

Lewis, 41, announced his plans on the "Up & Adams" show on Thursday.

"Mentally, I'm going into it saying this is going to be my last year," Lewis told host Kay Adams. "Obviously to have 19 amazing years and the journey's been great."

Lewis has played in all 17 games over the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears.

"I'm still playing almost 30 percent of the plays now, and it's not as if I'm just this old guy or I can't stay healthy," he said. "I think I've missed like 18 games in 19 years. Durable, I'm still doing my thing. I still practice hard. I'm still a student. I'm learning. I'm not in meetings acting as if I know it all. I think that's what keeps me locked in and my seatbelt on."

Lewis ranks first all-time among tight ends in career games played (285). He surpassed Jason Witten (271) and Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez (270) last season, during which he had one catch for 2 yards.

A first-round pick by Jacksonville in 2006, Lewis has 437 career catches for 5,115 yards and 40 touchdowns for the Jaguars (2006-17), Green Bay Packers (2018-22) and Bears. He made the Pro Bowl in 2010.

--Field Level Media