Cincinnati Enquirer

Marvin Lewis offered up the smile of a man who knew that you knew what was coming next.

When asked if Hue Jackson would be returning to Cincinnati to help Lewis handle the extra workload of taking over as defensive coordinator, Lewis was succinct and smiling.

"I've got a plan," he said. "Watch and see."

The lack of a denial suggested we might already know. The news that surfaced hours later confirmed we all were right.

Only two weeks after the Browns let go of Jackson as their head coach, it appears Jackson will return to Cincinnati to help close friend and former boss, Lewis.

Jackson served as offensive coordinator for the Bengals from 2014-15 after multiple stints as an assistant on Lewis' staffs.

Jackson has made the rounds on sports talk shows since being let go by the Browns, where he compiled a 3-36-1 record in two-plus years. On Adam Schefter's podcast Jackson stated he would like to get back into the league in some capacity this year.

His role is expected to one in helping Lewis assimilate his added duties as a defensive play-caller with those of head coach.

The Bengals still have two games left with the Browns on the schedule as well as one apiece with AFC North foes Baltimore and Pittsburgh, of which Jackson would have great knowledge.

Lewis pointed out the need for extra help in completing all the tasks at hand on gameday.

"I had my back turned yesterday to the offense a couple times trying to bring the defense together," he said. "Things happen. It could be whether or not made a catch or not make a catch. Make a first down not make a first down. If I’ve got my back turned I’ve got to make a decision, are we going for it, are we not going for it, let Bill know, let the quarterback know he’s got three downs here. If I have my back turned making corrections I can’t do that. I’m going to try to minimize that as much as possible. But I feel strongly I have to make the correction and coach the defense right now."

Will Jackson be the one to help him minimize it? Watch and see.