CINCINNATI — Update 4:23 p.m.
Following Sunday’s 34-7 loss at Minnesota, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis denied a report that he intends to walk away from the team after the season.
Asked if the report was accurate, Lewis said “No.”
“It's the same report you guys have been reporting on all season,” he added. “There's nothing changed since August. It's just speculation people keep throwing out there. We're all wasting time talking about it.”
Original report: 10:50 a.m.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is planning to leave after this season, sources tell ESPN.
Lewis has been with Cincinnati for 15 years, the second-longest tenure in the league. He has an expiring contract, bound for a second straight absence from the postseason, and an 0-7 career record in the playoffs.
ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news of his impending departure Sunday morning:
After 15 seasons in Cincinnati, Marvin Lewis is planning to leave the Bengals after this season to pursue opportunities elsewhere, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2017
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The Bengals are 5-8 heading into Sunday's game against the Vikings in Minneapolis. They were already suffering from an emotional hangover from their 23-20 loss on Dec. 4 to bitter rival Pittsburgh when they were drubbed 33-7 at Paul Brown Stadium by a Chicago team that's just 4-9 this year. Players acknowledged they emerged without much energy and described their worst home loss since 2008 as embarrassing and shocking.
