APAs the Bengals struggled through a disappointing 2010 season, it was widely believed that head coach Marvin Lewis, then in the final year of his contract, was on the way out. Instead, Lewis and Bengals owner Mike Brown agreed to a new two-year contract extension in 2011, and Lewis did one of his best coaching jobs, leading a young team to a surprise playoff berth.
Now Lewis is again in the final year of his contract, and there’s no word on whether he and Brown will come to terms on an extension.
Lewis told reporters at the end of minicamp on Thursday that he and Brown haven’t spoken about his contract in a while, and that he doesn’t know if they will before the start of training camp. Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that it’s highly likely that Lewis will go into the last season of his contract without an extension. Outside Cincinnati, that’s unusual in the NFL.
Lewis’s record of 69-74-1 in the regular season and 0-3 in the postseason doesn’t look that impressive until you consider that in the 12 seasons prior to Lewis’s arrival, the Bengals had a combined record of 55-137 and never made the playoffs. Lewis has the Bengals headed in the right direction, and Brown would be wise to do what it takes to keep Lewis on board.
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Marvin Lewis: Mr Brown, I was hoping we could talk about a contract for me.
Mike Brown: A contract, what do you mean “a contract”, a contract that pays money?
Marvin Lewis: Well, um…
Mike Brown: Well, um, nothing. Get back to work!
“…so you’re saying there’s a chance…”
Thanks for some mediocrity Marvin, but it’s time to go. Time to take this team to a level where a first round playoff loss isn’t considered a success.
The arrow is pointing up for the Bengals. Mr. Brown should extend Marvin’s contract.
Mike Brown doesn’t want to extend Marvin because he wants to see how he does this year. Brown never fires coaches because he doesn’t like to give away money, so instead he waits for contracts to expire then doesn’t renew them. It’s reason #872 why Cincinnati hasn’t seen a consistent winner in a long time.
I like Marvin Lewis a lot (loved his defenses in Baltimore and DC), but he has been in Cincy for a long time now. If they don’t win at least one playoff game this year, I don’t see how he should get another extension.
I would’ve fired Lewis already…he’s a sucker for great athletes with poor character; tired of seeing him try to build them into the Cincinnati Chain Gang.
Working for Mike Brown must be like working for Ebenezer Scrooge.
So many comments suggesting Lewis is what is holding the Bengals back? It’s more like the other way around…definitely one of the best coaches in the league.
Why would you ever renew Marvin’s contract? Watch to see how this year unfolds. If the Bengals do well, he will either sign him then or you give the team to the real head coach of this team……..coach Zimmer. Either way……why commit to signing him now? All real Bengal fans know that Lewis is a joke and that we can’t win with him as our leader.