As the coach of the defending champion of what may be football’s toughest division, Marvin Lewis has plenty on his mind before the 2-2 Cincinnati Bengals enjoy their bye week. One potential distraction, however, is Lewis’ unsettled contract situation: Twelve weeks from now (or longer, if the Bengals return to the playoffs), the eighth-year head coach might be saying goodbye. Now in the final year of the five-year extension he and Bengals owner Mike Brown negotiated after the 2005 season, Lewis is a potential lame duck as a possible work-stoppage looms. The timing is especially curious given that Lewis is the reigning NFL coach of the year, having guided Cincinnati to a surprising AFC North title last season, his second division crown in five seasons for a franchise that, before his arrival, hadn’t made the playoffs since 1990. “He’s done so much to change the atmosphere around here, and we really value him as a coach,†Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer(notes) says of Lewis. “I’m not really thinking about Marvin’s contract situation – I’m pretty much just focused on football – but it would be great if they got something done.†Both Lewis and Brown declined to comment, but two sources familiar with the situation indicated that there have been no serious negotiations on a new deal. Source: Yahoo! Sports
