Broncos Move on Highly Regarded $64 Million Veteran Pro Bowler

The Denver Broncos are in the market for offensive help. They have been linked to a potential deal for a wide receiver. But the Broncos have shown their hand when it comes to the tight end position, including in former Jacksonville Jaguars star Marcedes Lewis.

Lewis was the No. 28 overall pick of the 2006 draft.

After 12 seasons in Duval, Lewis signed with the Green Bay Packers. He spent five seasons with the Packers from 2018 through 2022.

Broncos Bring ‘Big Dog’ Marcedes Lewis in for Workout

Lewis spent two seasons with the Bears, but he has not been with any organization this season, which could be informative for the Broncos. Still, he is one of the most respected players in the NFL, both by players and coaches who have been around him.

“The #Broncos worked out 41-year-old free agent TE Marcedes Lewis today,” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on X on October 28.

Lewis has 437 receptions for 5,115 yards and 40 touchdowns in his career.

“They won’t find a better person (and) a better presence in the locker room,” a source close to Lewis said, per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. “He still has game and can block as good as anyone.”

The Broncos missed out on two other options in Ben Sims and Brenden Bates, who joined the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns, respectively, due to their higher waiver claims.

However, Lewis’ best ability is arguably his durability.

“He’s been remarkably durable as he’s aged,” Denver Sports’ Andrew Mason posted on X amid the news of the Broncos’ interest in Lewis. “He’s missed just one game over the previous eight seasons.”

Lewis has earned $64.5 million in his career, per Over The Cap, but his last contract was worth $2 million over one year.

Broncos Cause Stir With TE Interest

The Broncos’ misses fueled speculation amid a report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini noting the team was “monitoring” the market for tight ends before the 2025 trade deadline.

It is unclear if the Broncos would have plans beyond Lewis, but his reputation precedes him.

“The Broncos are actively searching for another tight end,” Tomasson posted on X on October 28. “Marcedes Lewis, who tried out today, is 41 and obviously a consummate veteran. The 19-year veteran last played last season with Chicago.”

Lewis also shares a common background with Broncos general manager George Paton as a former UCLA Bruin.

9News’ Mike Klis noted on X on October 28 that Lewis has “settled into a blocking role.”

Klis also called Lewis a “physical freak,” adding that he “is still a quality run blocker. And regarded as great locker room presence.” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans noted Lewis is a “big name” and that the Broncos are “clearly looking for blocking-TE help.”

Fittingly, Lewis’ nickname is “Big Dog,” which speaks both to his physical stature and the respect he has earned throughout his career, which includes a Pro Bowl in 2010.

Broncos Offer Glimmer of Hope About Veteran TE

Part of the reason the Broncos are exploring options like Lewis is that they are banged up at the tight end position and have already felt the brunt of being short-handed there.

Evan Engram missed one game with a back injury and was hindered by a calf issue in another one. The Broncos are currently navigating an issue with Nate Adkins, who doubles as a fullback, but is dealing with a knee injury.

He is not the only one whom the Broncos are still missing despite rostering two prospects.

“#Broncos have concerns at TE,” Tomasson posted on X before reports of Denver’s interest in Lewis surfaced. “Nate Adkins suffered knee injury vs Cowboys. And as we reported yesterday Lucas Krull had foot surgery & out about 8 more weeks. Broncos seeking 3rd TE after Evan Engram & Adam Trautman since Caleb Lohner and Patrick Murtagh are raw.”

In a potentially encouraging development, the Broncos did not place Adkins on injured reserve. That could indicate they expect him to miss fewer than four games.

That could explain why the Broncos made an early effort to make contact with Lewis.

Cowboys Trade for Myles Garrett Just Got a Lot More Likely After New Report

A notable NFL insider has offered up a detailed explanation for why the Dallas Cowboys making a blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett in the next week is very realistic.

After the Cleveland Browns gave superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett a four-year extension worth $160 million earlier this year, it seemed even more likely that the six-time Pro Bowler would actually finish his career in Cleveland. Then Week 8 happened.

On Sunday, Garrett had a game of a lifetime as he posted five sacks against the New England Patriots. However, it meant nothing as the Browns were still blown out by a score of 32-13. Garrett was seen enraged on the sidelines late in the game, and speculation grew louder that he could push for an exit like he reportedly did earlier this year.

However, many around the game believe his massive contract would make a trade very difficult. But, according to ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano, that may not necessarily be the case. He admits that trading Garrett now would mean a big dead cap hit to Cleveland in the years ahead. But various teams have taken on bigger cap hits while getting nothing in return.

“That’s a lot of dead money, but it’s not even close to the record,” Graziano writes. “The Broncos took on about $80 million when they cut Russell Wilson last year, and they made the playoffs last season and look poised to do so again. The Buccaneers are still carrying Tom Brady’s dead money and they won their division every season. We see teams do this more and more as the salary cap continues to rise significantly each year.”

Cowboys could create perfect draft scenario for Browns in Myles Garrett trade

Along with that, Graziano added that there are two other key factors in a potential trade before the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline. First, Garrett has to want it. Considering the Browns’ long-term outlook and where he would go in the deal, waiving his no-trade clause shouldn’t be a big problem. But Cleveland also must get an offer that makes it worth taking on all that dead money.

Well, the Cowboys are one of the few teams that can make the sort of offer the Browns would want, and that is two first-round picks in April, according to Graziano. After the Micah Parsons trade, they will have two first-rounders in 2026, and following his exit, they still have a desperate need for pass-rushing help this season and beyond.

• Myles Garrett stats: 8 games, 10 sacks, 31 tackles, 15 tackles for loss

“Cleveland would be looking at the possibility of having four first-round selections in the 2026 draft,” Graziano wrote. “The Browns would be able to completely control Round 1 and come out of it with whichever quarterback they wanted. The acquiring team would have to pay Garrett a fairly reasonable $31.5 million in fully guaranteed money in 2026 and about $30.5 million in 2027.”

Based on those details, it sure seems like a blockbuster Myles Garrett trade for the Dallas Cowboys is there for the taking if the star pass rusher really wants out. Especially since the Browns could have a franchise-changing draft next year from what they could get in the deal.

Continue reading