The Green Bay Packers are set to face their most difficult challenge of the season this weekend. They will take on the Denver Broncos, who are currently 11-2 and have won 10 games in a row. Green Bay, meanwhile, is 9-3-1 and on a four-game winning streak.
Indeed, the Packers will be facing a team that is firing on all cylinders, especially on defense where the defensive backs are coached by Wisconsin Badgers legend Jim Leonhard, who is also the Broncos’ assistant head coach. As fans recall all to well, Green Bay offered the former Badgers star their defensive coordinator position, but he turned it down to return to Wisconsin. Joe Barry was eventually hired in that cycle.
But Leonhard is not the only person in the Denver organization with ties to Wisconsin. Yesterday, the Broncos announced the return of a former Packers fan-favorite who had previously been released by them.
Former Green Bay Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis re-signs with the Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis (89) catches a pass against Cleveland Browns cornerback M.J. Stewart (36) in the second quarter during their football game Saturday, December 25, 2021, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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Earlier this season, former Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis was signed by the Broncos. After going unsigned all offseason, many wondered if any NFL team would give the 41-year-old a chance to play in his 20th NFL season. Denver did so, and he has appeared in four games for them in 2025.
But he was released at the beginning of this week by Denver, making him subject to waivers. No other team claimed him, though, so the Broncos decided to bring him back to their practice squad:
Per source, TE Marcedes Lewis cleared waivers and is headed back to Broncos practice squad.
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) December 12, 2025
Lewis, of course, played for Green Bay from 2018 to 2022. Oftentimes, he was used as a bonus offensive lineman due to his incredible blocking abilities, able to protect then-quarterback Aaron Rodgers and move defensive linemen out of the way to create lanes for the Packers’ running backs.
Prior to 2025, Lewis played two seasons for the Chicago Bears, which helped him set the NFL record for most seasons played by a tight end.
Despite now being on Denver’s practice squad, Lewis, with his four games played already this year, is the only tight end in NFL history to play 20 NFL seasons.
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