There will be lots of alterations to the Green Bay Packers offense in 2023. A few of the team's players would like to make sure there's one less change.
The times have certainly changed in "Titletown." For the first time since 2004, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is not an employee of the Green Bay Packers. Then again, he's not the only familiar face no longer with the organization.
Along with the four-time NFL MVP, wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb are now members of the New York Jets. Tight end Robert Tonyan signed a deal to join the Chicago Bears.
It's no wonder that general manager Brian Gutekunst spent seven of the club's 13 draft choices in April on offensive help. That includes both a second-round pick and third-round selection on tight ends Luke Musgrave (Oregon State) and Tucker Kraft (South Dakota State), respectively.
For now, that means head coach Matt LaFleur has seven tight ends on his roster. The most experienced is three-year-pro Josiah Deguara, who has caught 39 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns in 35 regular-season contests.
However, current Packers Rasul Douglas and Keisean Nixon on social media (via Zach Kruse of PackersWire.com) have both made their feelings public about bringing back a 17-year veteran who has spent the past five seasons in Green Bay.
Packers players campaigning to bring back Marcedes Lewis
Tight end Marcedes Lewis remains on the open market. After 12 seasons with the Jaguars, he has spent the past five seasons with the Packers. He has served a different and important role with Green Bay, opposed to his dozen seasons in Jacksonville.
Given the lack of experience at tight end, along with Lewis' prowess as a blocker, Gutekunst and the team could do worse than to bring back the veteran performer, who would help young quarterback Jordan Love and the club's transitioning offense in so many ways. You won't get any argument from LaFleur, who spoke about Lewis this past weekend. (via Bill Huber of SI.com).
"He's a pro's pro. You guys know how I feel about Marcedes, and I think (Musgrave and Kraft) would definitely learn (a lot from him). A lot of times, these guys learn more from some of the players than they do from us as coaches because they can give them little nuggets.
"I think a player-led team is more powerful than a coach-led team, and we got a lot of young guys, which is really exciting. But, yeah, I think any time you got a veteran guy like that that's played for as long as he's played at such a high level, I think it would be beneficial for everybody."
Huber also reports that the Packers will not bring back Lewis. Of course, things have a matter of changing when it comes to personnel and the NFL. Stay tuned.