Bengals, Marvin Lewis agree to part ways
Marvin Lewis' 16-year tenure on the Cincinnati Bengals' sideline is over, as the team announced Monday that it and its head coach have mutually decided to part ways.
The Bengals signed the 60-year-old to a two-year contract extension running through the 2019 season in January, despite rumors he would be dismissed. He lasted just one year under the extension.
"Mike (Brown) and I decided it's time," Lewis said at a press conference Monday.
Lewis was the NFL's second-longest tenured head coach, behind only the New England Patriots' Bill Belichick. He compiled a 131-122-3 record during his time with the franchise.
Though Lewis' Bengals qualified for the playoffs in five straight seasons between 2011-15, his teams posted an 0-7 record in the playoffs and failed to make the postseason in each of the last three years.
After a 4-1 start to the season, injuries and poor defense plagued the Bengals. In November, quarterback Andy Dalton was lost for the year with torn ligaments in his thumb, while defensive coordinator Teryl Austin was let go.
Lewis reportedly intends on continuing his coaching career, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
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