Bengals Could Consider Trading For Browns HC Hue Jackson?

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is reporting that with news of Marvin Lewis likely out in Cincinnati, there’s a theory going around in NFL circles about whether the Bengals could attempt to trade for Browns HC Hue Jackson.

Cleveland has sent mixed signals about whether Jackson will return as the team’s head coach next year and Jackson spent a few productive years as their offensive coordinator before departing to become the head coach of the Browns.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has said publicly that Jackson will return for the 2018 season and a league source has confirmed to Florio that he has been saying the same thing privately.

One scenario tossed out by Florio would be for the Bengals trade for Jackson to take over as their head coach and then elevate Lewis to a personnel role such as GM, which is reportedly something he’s interested in.

Florio explains that in order for a team to trade a head coach, the teams will need to strike a deal regarding compensation in the event a contract can be negotiated between the new team and the coach. From there, the new team can work on a new contract with the coach.

Florio stresses that he isn’t saying that this is something that will definitely happen, but it’s at least an idea worth keeping an eye on in the coming weeks.

Jackson, 52, was hired as the Browns head coach in 2016 after spending a few years as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator. Jackson has led to the Browns to a record of 1-29 (3.33 percent) since taking the job.

We’ll have more regarding the Bengals and Jackson as the news is available.