The Cincinnati Bengals surprise the coach carousel: Marvin Lewis’ farewell, which a few weeks ago was considered secure, has been cancelled – instead the Bengals and their head coach extended it.
Lewis, whose contract had expired, received a new two-year contract. This was announced by the Bengals on Tuesday evening, so Lewis is again bound to Cincinnati up to and including the 2019 season.
In a statement, team president Mike Brown said:”Marvin Lewis has been an important member of the Cincinnati community and the Bengal family for 15 years. We are pleased to have reached this agreement. We haven’t fulfilled our own expectations lately, but we have every confidence in Marvin that he will make a successful team again in 2018.”
Originally, Lewis had already announced that he could imagine a management role in Cincinnati or elsewhere. But after the Week-17 win over the Ravens, who kicked Baltimore out of the playoffs, Lewis announced that he would like to stay. The ensuing talks with Brown went well.
Lewis, who has transformed the Bengals team from one of the annual basement kids into an annual playoff contender, but never made the next step, explained:”My family and I are very grateful for the chance to stay in Cincinnati and continue my career with the Bengals. My job is to win the title. We have a talented team of experienced leaders and aspiring young stars, and I will do everything I can to make the necessary improvements so that this team has the best possible chance of winning.”.