Bengals reportedly ‘caught off guard’ by news Marvin Lewis is leaving
Marvin Lewis is reportedly planning to part ways with the Cincinnati Bengals after the season, but he may not have informed the team of his intentions prior to the news surfacing on Sunday.
After Adam Schefter reported that Lewis is going to explore other coaching opportunities in 2018, Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer indicated that the Bengals were unaware he had made that decision.
Bengals caught off guard by news Marvin Lewis is not interested in returning to the team next year, as @AdamSchefter reported.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 17, 2017
Although Lewis’ decision to move on may have been news to the Bengals, Dehner noted that that does not mean the team expected to bring Lewis back next season.
This was never going to be a "firing." Too much respect on both sides. Parting of ways was always how it would go. Lewis took the guessing out of it. Anyone who has lived in this city and felt the toxicity for any amount of time of time knew this had to happen. https://t.co/8Z26NWeFXl
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 17, 2017
Lewis has an expiring contract, so perhaps he knows the Bengals were not going to renew it. His decision to leave “on his own terms” could have been more about saving face. In his 15 seasons as the head coach in Cincinnati, Lewis has led the team to the playoffs seven times and never won a postseason game. He reportedly wants to explore coaching or front office opportunities elsewhere.
