Report: Bengals' Lewis proposed succession plan as last-ditch effort to keep Jackson

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was likely prepared to give up his title to keep former offensive coordinator Hue Jackson in the fold.

Jackson accepted the Cleveland Browns' head coaching position Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

Lewis, who is very close with Jackson, made a last-ditch proposal to retain Jackson that included a succession plan, NFL Network's Michael Silver reports.

It's unclear what the specifics of the plan were, but it likely involved Jackson eventually taking over as head coach and Lewis moving into a personnel role. Bengals owner Mike Brown currently serves as the team's de facto general manager, but Lewis is believed to play a major role in free agency and the draft.