Jaguars pick up Marcedes Lewis contract option, tight end will play in 2018

The Jacksonville Jaguars have reportedly picked up Marcedes Lewis’ contract option, meaning the veteran tight end will be paid $3.75 million and play for the team in 2018.

Lewis will be a free agent after the 2018 season unless the team restructures his deal between now and next offseason.

Lewis, 33, was originally drafted by the Jaguars with the 28th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft and has been a big piece of their offense for the past decade.

While Lewis never quite translated the receiving game threat he was in college at UCLA, he is still a fantastic all-around tight end in the Jaguars offense going on 12 seasons. You can clearly see some decline in Lewis’ game, especially in the receiving front with loss of speed and quickness, but he’s still been a solid player in the run game and in pass protection. And, hell, the dude caught the opening touchdown in the AFC Championship.

Tight end is a place the Jaguars are likely going to focus this offseason, but it’s possible the changing of the guard could take place before the new guy even gets here.