Marvin Lewis  Mike Brown seem to be in no hurry to decide future of Bengals' coaching staff
Marvin Lewis
CINCINNATI -- Even though Bengals head coach  Marvin Lewis  and  his  assistants have expiring contracts  no decision had been made as of Monday morning regarding whether  Lewis  will return to Cincinnati for a 16th season.
Although  Lewis  acknowledged there was some urgency to move quickly  it appears  he  and Bengals owner Mike Brown will continue to have more discussions before a decision is made.
"Yeah it is hard. I spoke with [the assistant coaches] this morning  we met with them this morning about it  and I told them that as far as from my direction  I would get them [an answer on] where things are quick as I could "  Lewis  said Monday.
 Lewis  has a?125-112-3 regular-season record with Cincinnati.  He  has led the team to the playoffs seven times  without a postseason victory. The Bengals wrapped up a?7-9 season Sunday with a 31-27 victory over Baltimore.
On Monday   Lewis  repeatedly professed a need for  him  and Brown to be on the same page.
"Every decision I have ever made here is mutual with both of us. Since January of '03 it's always been mutual. It has to be that way."  Lewis  said.
 Lewis  seemed reluctant to discuss what exactly would lead to a mutual decision to bring  him  back next year  cutting  himself  off at times and acknowledging  he  was worrying about revealing too much.  Lewis  said  he  thinks there's a path that would lead to  his  return  but didn't elaborate  instead joking that it was time to cut off the news conference.
 Lewis  and Brown were stuck in this position after the 2010 season. It took two days after that season to decide  Lewis  would return and sign a new deal.
Some of the reported issues at the time involved concessions  Lewis  wanted to see from Brown  including the size of the scouting staff  control over personnel (roster and coaching) and the need for an indoor practice facility. Although Brown did concede some things  the scouting staff remains small and an indoor practice facility was never built.
Although those specific issues might not factor in this time around  there are likely changes  Lewis  would like to see.  He  admitted it's more complicated than Brown simply extending an offer and  Lewis  accepting it.
"There's a lot of things. People have their viewpoint and I have my viewpoint. The one thing that we've been consistent on since I began here is staying on the same page. And I think that's important "  Lewis  said. "There's a direction the owner wants to have. ... And if  his  direction is different than my direction  then that's probably not good. We just have to make sure we're all on the same page."
 Lewis  said the roster is one of the things  he  and Brown discuss. When asked if  he  was happy with the roster prior to the season   Lewis  didn't fully answer the question. The Bengals lost both Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler to free agency and the offensive line struggled all year as a result.
"We're aligned on things "  Lewis  said. "But I think as you move forward  '17 is over and we're going into '18 now and the future  so I think everybody wants to make sure we stay on the same course together."
 Lewis  has repeated that  he  wants to continue coaching and has said there is no role for  him  in Cincinnati's front office and never has been.
"I don't know where these thoughts come from that people make up. But  no "  he  said.
CINCINNATI -- Even though Bengals head coach  [TGT]and  [TGT]  assistants have expiring contracts  no decision had been made as of Monday morning regarding whether  [TGT]will return to Cincinnati for a 16th season.
Although  [TGT]acknowledged there was some urgency to move quickly  [TGT] appears  [TGT]  and Bengals owner Mike Brown will continue to have more discussions before a decision is made.
"Yeah it is hard. I spoke with [the assistant coaches] this morning  we met with them this morning about it  and I told them that as far as from my direction  I would get them [an answer on] where things are quick as I could "  [TGT]said Monday.
 [TGT]has a?125-112-3 regular-season record with Cincinnati.  [TGT]  has led the team to the playoffs seven times  without a postseason victory. The Bengals wrapped up a?7-9 season Sunday with a 31-27 victory over Baltimore.
On Monday   [TGT]repeatedly professed a need for  [TGT]  and Brown to be on the same page.
"Every decision I have ever made here is mutual with both of us. Since January of '03 it's always been mutual. It has to be that way."  [TGT]said.
 [TGT]seemed reluctant to discuss what exactly would lead to a mutual decision to bring  [TGT]  back next year  cutting  [TGT]  off at times and acknowledging  [TGT]  was worrying about revealing too much.  [TGT]said  [TGT]  thinks there's a path that would lead to  [TGT]  return  but didn't elaborate  instead joking that it was time to cut off the news conference.
 [TGT]and Brown were stuck in this position after the 2010 season. It took two days after that season to decide  [TGT]would return and sign a new deal.
Some of the reported issues at the time involved concessions  [TGT]wanted to see from Brown  including the size of the scouting staff  control over personnel (roster and coaching) and the need for an indoor practice facility. Although Brown did concede some things  the scouting staff remains small and an indoor practice facility was never built.
Although those specific issues might not factor in this time around  there are likely changes  [TGT]would like to see.  [TGT]  admitted it's more complicated than Brown simply extending an offer and  [TGT]accepting it.
"There's a lot of things. People have their viewpoint and I have my viewpoint. The one thing that we've been consistent on since I began here is staying on the same page. And I think that's important [TGT]said. "There's a direction the owner wants to have. ... And if [TGT][TGT]  direction is different than my direction  then that's probably not good. We just have to make sure we're all on the same page.[TGT]said the roster is one of the things  [TGT]  and Brown discuss. When asked if  [TGT]  was happy with the roster prior to the season   [TGT]didn't fully answer the question. The Bengals lost both Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler to free agency and the offensive line struggled all year as a result.
"We're aligned on things [TGT]said. "But I think as you move forward  '17 is over and we're going into '18 now and the future  so I think everybody wants to make sure we stay on the same course together."
 [TGT]has repeated that  [TGT]  wants to continue coaching and has said there is no role for  [TGT]  in Cincinnati's front office and never has been.
"I don't know where these thoughts come from that people make up. But  no "  he  said.