Amy Trask and Boomer Esiason break down Bengals firing Ken Zampese

Prior to Sunday’s NFL games, the CBS Sports crew talked about the Cincinnati Bengals’ 0-2 start, as well as the decision to fire offensive coordinator Ken Zampese after two games.

Former Oakland Raiders CEO Amy Trask wonders why exactly it took just two games for Zampese to lose his job, and if this had something to do with the “near mutiny” after Cincinnati lose to the Houston Texans.

“He was the offensive coordinator in 2016. He was the offensive coordinator during OTA’s. He was the offensive coordinator during training camp,” said Trask. “And, he was the offensive coordinator during the preseason. But you’re going to fire him two games into the season?

“So, either you did not know he was a problem, and that’s a problem. Or, you’re being reactive to what some have described as an uprising or a rebellion. A.J. Green said, ‘You have to get the ball in my hands.’”

“Dre Kirkpatrick said, ‘We suck.’ That was a quote. It might be that it’s the right decision and reactive. But, if it is the right decision, how did you not know until Week 2 of the season.”

Former Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason, who also works at CBS, was a little more blunt with his assessment.

“The Bengals have already panicked and fired their offensive coordinator.”

I think most Bengals fans knew Zampese was a problem two games into the 2016 season. To be fair to Lewis, it’s unclear if he was who decided to keep Zampese after that 6-9-1 debacle, or if owner Mike Brown stood by his principle of not paying players and coaches who aren’t working for him.

Zampese probably had some money owed to him if he was fired after one year, and Brown rarely bites the bullet on money owed to players and coaches who are let go. I’d be willing to bet Brown played a part in the Bengals keeping Zampese, but regardless of who’s decision it was, the Bengals are paying dearly for it.