Marvin Lewis said after Sunday's season finale that he was unemployed. That's not the case two days later. After much pessimism in the media about Lewis staying on in Cincinnati, he signed a contract Tuesday to remain the Bengals' head coach through 2011 and probably beyond. Official terms have not yet been released. The team and Lewis reportedly met three times Tuesday. Earlier in the day on its Twitter account, the team wrote "Despite reports the Bengals expect head coach Marvin Lewis to return, there was no agreement after two Tuesday morning meetings." Many people in the know didn't expect Lewis to come back for a ninth year in Cincy after a 4-12 season during which the team lost 11 of its final 13 games. There were also rumors that he was interested in coaching the San Francisco 49ers or at the University of Pittsburgh. But Lewis remains a Bengal and is now the longest-tenured head coach in team history. He has the fourth-longest tenure with one team among current NFL head coaches Update: The team's official website reported later Tuesday that the new deal is for two years.

Fantasy Analysis:

Lewis and his staff will have their work cut out for them next year. Never mind that the defense was mediocre at best; wide receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens are likely to depart. Carson Palmer set a career-high in turnovers and registered his lowest QB rating in a full season since his 2004 rookie year. Roster moves will be made, but let's just look at this group at its currently constituted. Unless you believe in their young receivers -- who shined down the stretch -- or want to continue banking on the consistently inconsistent Cedric Benson , there's not much to love about the Bengals for fantasy next season.