Packers Give Allison and Lewis Second Chances

Wednesday the Packers made decisions to retain two players who were a part of the 2018 roster. 25-year-old wide receiver Geronimo Allison and 34-year-old tight end Marcedes Lewis.

Green Bay placed an original-round tender on Allison worth $2.025 million in 2019. Basically, another team can try to sign Allison but the Packers have the opportunity to match the offer. It’s unlikely that Allison will get another offer after he missed 11 games last year with a groin injury that later required surgery.

Prior to that injury, though, he was having a breakout season. In five games he totaled 303 yards and two touchdowns. Allison looked every bit the part of a starting second receiver opposite of Davante Adams. Next season, he still has the chance to prove something and earn himself a nice multi-year contract. If everything goes well, it should be with Green Bay.

The Lewis decision was a little more surprising seeing how little he contributed in 2018. Lewis averaged just about 12 snaps per game and a large part of those were dedicated to run blocking. His three catches for 39 yards were the lowest of his career, even as a rookie.

Matt LaFleur must have a different outlook for Lewis’ last few years than Mike McCarthy did. At best Lewis had a pedestrian year in 2018. He was an average run blocker even though it was the main reason he was signed. Lewis didn’t get to show enough as a pass catcher although the former Pro-Bowler has always displayed a solid pair of hands.

The Packers are pretty thin at tight end with just Jimmy Graham and Robert Tonyan on the roster besides Lewis. At the very least, Lewis adds a veteran presence with a strong background as a run blocker. Hopefully, Green Bay drafts a tight end to develop under Graham and Lewis who have different skill sets.

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