For the last 14 years the team has been led by Marvin Lewis, but he may also be witnessing the finality of his term as head coach.

According to Ian Rappaport, Lewis has been on the hot seat since November when the team started 3-7-1. The team also only gave Lewis a one-year contract extension after 2015 possibly hinting in the off-season that they could dismiss him upon another disappointing ending to the season. Although Lewis ended the franchise’s 15-year playoff drought, it’s been since 1990 when the team last won a playoff game. Though a few NFL insiders believe that Lewis’s close relationship with owner Mike Brown could ultimately save him, it seems Lewis' reign in Cincinnati could be heading to a conclusion.

In regards to this season and not being in contention, Lewis had some choice words to share stating:

“It pisses you off. If I’m allowed to say that. It really does. It gets you upset, and you stay upset. It doesn’t sit well. Unfortunately, I’ve got a little bit longer to be upset than in the past. Whenever the final day comes, unless you’re the last one standing, you’re always upset with it. That’s the way it is. We're not making the game-winning plays. There’s an urgency about it that it has to get done. Whether that’s the big block, the big sack, the big interception, the tipped ball, the big tackle, the big coverage. Whatever it is; deflection, breakup, completion, catch, block. It all has to rise up to a new level. The big punt, the big return, whatever it may be. We have guys that can do better than what they’ve done this season. They have the ability to do better. We have to pull it out of them and get others and bring them on board.”

The 58-year old defensive guru has presided over some of the most successful regular season campaigns in franchise history. Lewis has led the team to the 10 seasons with eight wins more, seven postseason appearances and has won the AFC North Division four times posting a 117-102-3 record. His win total with the Bengals as head coach is the most in franchise history and accounts for over a third of the franchises wins in team history. He’s also the longest tenured coach in their 49 years of existence ahead of the legendary and innovative Paul Brown. However, the lack of playoff results during his 14 years has ownership and fans in dismay going 0-7.

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