C.J. Uzomah release paves way for NY Jets to sign another former Aaron Rodgers teammate

Aaron Rodgers has made a habit out of recruiting many of his former teammates in Green Bay to join him on the NY Jets, as evidenced by the numerous additions the team made last offseason.

From Allen Lazard to Billy Turner to Randall Cobb, the list of former Rodgers teammates on the Jets last season was lengthy. Don't be surprised if the Jets return to that well again in 2024.

The Jets made the expected decision to release veteran tight end C.J. Uzomah on Tuesday, the team's second cap casualty of the offseason. Uzomah's release could pave the way for another former Rodgers teammate to join him in New York.

In fact, said former Rodgers teammate was reportedly on his initial "wish list" last offseason. We're talking about longtime NFL tight end Marcedes Lewis, who could be called upon to replace Uzomah on the Jets' roster.

The NY Jets are a logical landing spot for Marcedes Lewis

Lewis is one of the oldest active players in the NFL, having originally entered the league as a first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars all the way back in 2006. The veteran tight end has played just shy of 270 career NFL games and will turn 40 years old in May.

It's almost unheard of for a tight end to still be playing at age 40. In fact, as far as I can tell, there has never been a true tight end to appear in an NFL game past the age of 39. Lewis could make history next season.

And in all honesty, he still has something left in the tank. Lewis' 77.1 Pro Football Focus grade in 2023 ranked in the top 10 of all tight ends in football. His 73.7 PFF run-block grade ranked third among all tight ends with at least 250 run-block snaps.

Even as he approaches 40, Lewis is still one of the most effective blocking tight ends in the NFL. Lewis appeared in all 17 games for the Chicago Bears in 2023, playing 29 percent of his team's offensive snaps. He was genuinely an important part of their offense.

Lewis has also been remarkably durable throughout his career. The 18-year NFL veteran has amazingly missed just one game over the last seven seasons. He's played fewer than 15 games in a season just three times in 18 years. That level of durability for a player his age is almost unprecedented.

Lewis spent five seasons together with Rodgers in Green Bay from 2018-2022. He's crossed paths with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in Green Bay as well as Robert Saleh in Jacksonville.

Of all the so-called "buddies" that Rodgers has brought with him to the Jets, this one would actually make some of the most sense. Lewis fills a semi-need as TE3, should cost close to the minimum, and is genuinely still a solid contributor.

Marcedes Lewis would be a legitimate upgrade over C.J. Uzomah, even at the age of 40. This feels like a no-brainer for the Jets.