Marvin Lewis on Mike Zimmer: He did an outstanding job in Minnesota

When the Minnesota Vikings hired former Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer as their head coach on Jan. 15, 2014, they replaced the ineffective Leslie Frazier (another former Bengals defensive coordinator), and improved two games in the win column. Minnesota's defense went from 31st to 14th in one season and their scoring defense ranked just outside the top-10 at 11th.

In truth... Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis expected this.

"I thought he did an outstanding job, a fine job," Lewis said. "I know they're excited for next year (in Minnesota). He did a really good job (on defense). He had good players, and they played well."

Along with finding stability at quarterback with Pepsi NFL rookie of the year Teddy Bridgewater, Zimmer helped Minnesota navigate through murky waters with Adrian Peterson.

Zimmer spent six seasons with the Bengals as the team's defensive coordinator, taking various interviews for head coaching positions before he was eventually hired by the Minnesota Vikings.

The Bengals will play the Vikings in 2017 in Minnesota.