I haven’t heard this one before, so I might as well start the debate/controversy/rumor – Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer will be the next head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Current Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis will be in the last year of his deal in 2010. There is no way that any NFL GM, especially GM/Owner Mike Brown, would sign Lewis prior to this season.
First, Lewis has the upper hand after winning being named the Associated Press 2009 NFL Coach of the Year. Lewis could easily ask for twice, possibly three times, as much money as he could have at the end of the 2008 season after the Bengals finished 4-11 and many Cincinnati fans wanted him fired. Also, factor in the uncapped season in 2010. When you consider all of that, finalizing a deal this offseason to keep Lewis in Cincinnati would be irresponsible.
Then you have Zimmer, who did an incredible job turning a mediocre (at best) defense into a one of the league’s best in 2009. His name was initially mentioned as a possible head-coaching candidate in Buffalo, but eventually that rumor changed into Zimmer being the new DC for the Washington Redskins.
Mike Brown did the right thing and rewarded Zimmer with a three-year deal to remain as the DC in Cincinnati.
So, the question could be, at the end of the 2010 season: Do the Bengals let Lewis walk and decide to reward Zimmer again or do the Bengals reward Lewis with a lucrative long-term deal?
Who knows?
It is definitely worth thinking about.
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