Why Marvin Lewis doesn’t deserve a contract extension
The Cincinnati Bengals gave head coach Marvin Lewis a one-year extension, a decision that makes no sense whatsoever.
The Cincinnati Bengals awarded Marvin Lewis with a one-year contract extension today in a completely dumbfounding move, locking up the underachieving head coach through 2016. I am not the only one confused, either, and this is the collective response of Bengals fans everywhere:
Here is why Lewis does not deserve the extension one bit:
Playoffs? We talking about Playoffs?
Marvin Lewis is the second-longest tenured coach in the NFL. Yet somehow, someway, he has not managed to win a playoff game during his 13 seasons with the Bengals. Under his watch, the Bengals became the only team that the Houston Texans have beaten in the playoffs in the franchise’s entire history. The Texans have done so twice, including one game in which third-string rookie quarterback T.J. Yates took down Lewis’ Bengals.
Speaking of the playoffs, Lewis’ playoff record has him in some not-so-good company, that of proven playoff flop Jim Mora.
Bengals sign Marvin Lewis to 1-yr extension; Lewis: 0-6 in postseason. #Elias: Jim Mora only other coach to lose 1st 6 NFL postseason games
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 22, 2015
It is truly impressive how bad Lewis has been in the playoffs. For his own sake, let us hope he can at least get one playoff win under his belt before his career is over, something Mora could never quite accomplish.
It is time for a fresh face in Cincinnati
The Bengals have a promising array of young talent on their roster. A.J. Green is one of the premier wide receivers in the league, and at just 26-years old, is just entering the prime of his career. Rookie running back Jeremy Hill emerged as the team’s future at the position last season, finishing the year with 1,124 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Hill is not even in his prime yet, and has potential to become one of the most dominant backs in the NFL for years to come.
With elite talents on their roster for the best years of their careers, the team has all of the tools to become a playoff contender. Unfortunately, the man leading the team is the poster child for inability to win in the playoffs.
The biggest question mark surrounding the Bengals’ playoff mishaps, besides Lewis, is quarterback Andy Dalton. While he has not helped his cause much with his own subpar performances, it is hard to give him a fair judgement with a head coach that is historically abysmal in the playoffs.
Marvin Lewis has not got the job done in 13 years, and I do not envision that changing anytime soon. A fresh face could be just what the Bengals need to get over the hump and win their first playoff game since 1990.