Lewis offers encouragement to former assistant Jackson

They may be division rivals when they're on opposing sidelines, but Marvin Lewis and Hue Jackson remain good friends off the field.

Jackson spent seven seasons between 2004 and 2015 as part of Lewis' coaching staff with the Cincinnati Bengals. In his first year as Cleveland Browns head coach, Jackson is having some problems coping with the issues of leading an 0-12 team.

Lewis was inspired to reach out after hearing about the emotional post-game press conference following the Browns' 12th straight loss, in which Jackson called being 0-12 "the hardest thing ever".

"I think obviously, some days you question whether you're going to get through the next day because things seem to mount and pile on you," Lewis told ESPN's Katherine Terrell. "I think a lot of times when people ask about what to expect, expect that the next day is going to be a little better.

"That's all I can tell you. And then the next year after that, and the next year after that, some of those things that seem so insurmountable that first season, you realize you're going to get through, things are going to work out and you're going to find a way and it's going to work well for you. I think that's important in a tough season we all go through."

The Browns are on a bye for Week 13 and will face Lewis' Bengals after their break. Lewis isn't expecting Jackson's group to come out defeated despite their tumultuous season.

"I know they've got the week off this week, so we'll get a ball of knives next week," Lewis said. "Lucky us. That's the way it goes."