Marvin Lewis: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Bengals HC's Future

After an underwhelming 2016 season, Marvin Lewis' future as the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals was in question, but the long-time coach is planning a return.

Continue for updates.

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Lewis Set for 2017 Return

Thursday, Dec. 29

Lewis told Ross Tucker and Alex Marvez on Sirius XM NFL that he is planning to return to the team for the 2017 season.

"I'll be back in 2017," Lewis said.

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reported Wednesday that the Bengals and Lewis have no plans to part ways:

ESPN's Ed Werder and Katherine Terrell reported Tuesday that Lewis will remain the Bengals head coach in 2017.

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Report Suggests Lewis Plans to Retire After Season

Tuesday, Dec. 27

ESPN 980's Chris Cooley (h/t Rebecca Toback of SB Nation's Cincy Jungle) reported Tuesday that the 58-year-old coach is considering retirement.

"The idea is that he's been slowly packing up the office, though. Slowly putting the pieces away so next Sunday, he can get home, have a little meeting and say, 'See ya, I'm going to spend some time in Arizona and play some golf,'" Cooley said.

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Lewis Has Turned into Polarizing Figure for Bengals Fans

In April, Lewis signed a one-year extension with the Bengals through the 2017 season. Considering that, he may see out the remainder of his deal and then decide whether he wants to continue coaching.

Should Lewis retire, it would provide Cincinnati with a clean break, which is arguably what the franchise needs.

Under Lewis, Cincinnati has made seven playoff appearances—equal to its number of postseason trips from its inception in 1968 to his arrival in 2003.

While Lewis has brought more consistent success than any other coach in Bengals history, his tenure appears to have run its course. After speaking with NFL coaches and executives, Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman wrote, "The Bengals may need a change of voice."

Lewis has never led Cincinnati past the AFC Wild Card Round, and the team's 24-20 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15 was a microcosm of his time in charge. The Bengals threw away a 20-6 lead and committed four straight penalties on the Steelers' game-winning scoring drive.

Few teams have shot themselves in the foot in big games as consistently as the Bengals have in recent years.

Though Lewis has done a lot to turn Cincinnati around, it's unlikely that he's the guy who can get the team over the hump in pursuit of its first Super Bowl.