The Cincinnati Bengals are searching for a new head coach after they parted ways with Marvin Lewis following 16 years with the team. And Lewis has given a strong endorsement to Hue Jackson as a candidate the Bengals should seriously consider to be his successor.

“I think he’s more than qualified,” Lewis told reporters on Monday per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “I think he’s been in a couple of difficult situations, and that’s tough, and it hasn’t broke his way. But I think he’s an excellent football coach, he’s a great motivator. He’s detailed. So I think he deserves an opportunity. If not here, somewhere else.”

Lewis brought Jackson back to Cincinnati as a special assistant after he was fired by the Cleveland Browns. Jackson was a woeful 3-36-1 in his two and a half seasons with the Browns.

Jackson does have a strong connection with the Bengals. He’s served as a coach in Cincinnati for seven years over three separate spells and was Lewis’ offensive coordinator from 2014-15.

However, his time with the Browns will likely sour some Bengals fans at the thought of him getting the head coaching job.

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After making the playoffs for five straight years with two division titles, the Bengals have failed to put together a winning record in each of the last three years.

While there’s a chance the Bengals at least give Jackson an interview, they might be wise to take their time and interview a few more candidates before handing him another head coaching opportunity despite Lewis’ comments.