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The news is out, but it’s not the news you were expecting. Marvin Lewis has received a two-year contract extension to remain the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals through 2019.
This comes as a bit of a shock considering all national media reports and even local reports had claimed Lewis wanted to leave the team after the 2017 NFL season.
Instead, Lewis is back for his 16th season as the head coach of the Bengals.
Guess who was excited about the news? Bengals players!
Adam Jones, Carlos Dunlap and Brandon LaFell were among the first Bengals to take to social media to share their excitement in regards to Lewis’ return.
You know who I bet isn’t happy, John Ross, the Bengals’ rookie first round draft pick who seems to be in Marvin’s doghouse. Like seriously, Marvin Lewis does not like John Ross and this information is spreading, with more reports in the last few weeks.
Here are the Bengals’ players reactions to the news of Lewis returning to the Bengals as head coach in 2018.
Carlos Dunlap on Marvin Lewis returning to #Bengals on a two-year contract. pic.twitter.com/OZWUnJKH3b
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) January 3, 2018
— Jody Breeze (@Blafell1) January 2, 2018
@G_Bernard25 on Marvin Lewis resigning @WLWT #Bengals #WhoDey pic.twitter.com/KzCbp7s1JW
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) January 2, 2018
— Tra Carson (@PlutoCarson) January 3, 2018
And, here’s a few from former Bengals players, including Cris Collinsworth, who was part of the Bengals 50 list this year.
Anybody who has a problem with the Bengals extending Marvin Lewis should look at what the Bengals were before he got there.
— Cris Collinsworth (@CollinsworthPFF) January 3, 2018
We all know Chad Johnson loves Marvin Lewis.
Make it happen boss man https://t.co/c94ZhtPiVe
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) January 3, 2018
Willie Anderson (who wanted to and still should be considered for a coaching job with the team) also had some things to say.
I know Fans gonna be mad at me but I knew This would happen when I saw how hard Players played for Marvin the last two games. That showed me he still had their attention. Star players still were playing hard when they could have faked injury and went home for the offseason
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) January 2, 2018
It’s cold in Cincinnati. No indoor facility so to get 2 weeks of good practices out of guys knowing that their is no playoffs I knew something would happen .
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) January 2, 2018
People have a right to be mad. I said that before! Your team didn’t win That’s sports! You’re supposed to be mad but I believe these players spoke up for Marvin and then went and showed ownership what we can do if certain areas are fixed! My opinion.
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) January 2, 2018
Hey don’t get mad at me. I’m just saying “It’s not 2002 roster! Fix some areas and this a 10 win roster easily.
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) January 2, 2018
This post will be updated as more players share their thoughts on Lewis’ return to Cincinnati.