Is Duke Tobin Still the Right Guy for the Bengals Front Office? The Clock's Ticking.
In the glitzy, ever-hyped world of NFL general managers, Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin often flies just under the radar. But make no mistake—every move, every pick, every contract negotiation he's involved in ripples through the Bengals' locker room and either lifts or sinks their Super Bowl hopes.
And right now? That radar is pinging pretty loudly.
Let’s get real—Tobin isn't exactly a media darling. You won’t find him giving flashy interviews or becoming the face of a franchise like some of the big-name GMs out there. But among front office circles, he’s a known figure. When Bengals fans gather around the digital campfire (Twitter, Reddit, you name it), Tobin’s name pops up often—sometimes in praise, more often in scrutiny.
✅ The Burrow "Easy Button" — Or Was It?
Let’s address the elephant in the war room: Joe Burrow. In 2020, with the No. 1 overall pick, the Bengals made the decision everyone saw coming from a mile away. Tobin pressed what NBC Sports’ Patrick Daugherty cheekily calls the "metaphorical easy button." They took Burrow. And then, a year later, they followed it up with another obvious home run, grabbing Ja’Marr Chase.
Here’s the thing though—everyone would’ve taken Burrow. He was the consensus No. 1. The Heisman winner. The guy who torched college defenses like he was in a video game. You don’t need a scouting genius to circle his name. That’s where critics take issue.
So yeah, the Burrow pick was the right call—but was it a brilliant one? Or just an obvious one?
And when those big swings start missing in the later rounds or when the team underperforms, people start wondering: how much credit do you really deserve for the no-brainers?
😬 A Defense Full of Holes and One Bright Spot
Let’s talk defense for a second, because it’s been, well… ugly.
In the Burrow era, the Bengals have cracked the top 16 in defense (whether it’s yards or points allowed) just once. Once! That’s not just bad—that’s alarming. You’re putting your star QB in position where he has to basically play Superman every single week. Burrow’s been forced to put up near-perfect numbers just to squeak out wins.
And in 2024? The defense was pretty much the Trey Hendrickson Show. That guy was a one-man wrecking crew, but the problem? He’s now on year two of a trade demand. If they lose him, there’s no clear replacement waiting in the wings. You can’t run an elite defense (or even a passable one) on just one guy, especially one who wants out.
🧠 The Philosophy Disconnect: Coaching vs. Personnel
There’s always been this lingering question in Cincinnati: is the front office and coaching staff really in sync?
The Bengals' recent shake-up—waving goodbye to defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and offensive line coach Frank Pollack—is a sign that something hasn’t been quite right behind the scenes. It feels like a reboot, a reset, a "one more shot at this before we blow it up" type of move.
Now, with the 2025 season fast approaching, all eyes are on whether the Bengals can finally align their player acquisitions with coaching vision and execution. The hope? That smarter, more cohesive coaching will finally get the most out of the talent Tobin is bringing in.
🚨 Ranked #17 — and Falling?
NBC Sports’ Patrick Daugherty recently dropped his GM rankings, and Duke Tobin landed at No. 17. Not terrible, but not exactly confidence-inspiring either. Here’s how Daugherty summed it up:
“Duke Tobin pushed the metaphorical easy button on Joe Burrow in 2020. Everything else has been hard.”
That line stings. Because it’s kinda true.
Daugherty goes on to point out that Burrow’s been getting hit more than a tackling dummy—because the offensive line, for years, has been a revolving door of underwhelming signings and draft picks. Burrow, already recovering from injuries, has been playing behind protection that would make even Eli Manning nervous.
🔥 The Pressure Is Real in 2025
This is it—the prove-it year.
The new coaching hires need to click. The players Tobin drafted or signed have to deliver. Otherwise? This could all unravel faster than a rookie’s first playbook.
Let’s not pretend Tobin hasn’t had success. The Bengals made a Super Bowl. They've had thrilling playoff runs. But once the “we got Burrow” magic wears off, you need to show continued improvement. The GM game is a “what have you done for me lately” business. Just ask guys like Ryan Pace or Dave Gettleman. One bad year? You’re on the hot seat. Two? You’re gone.
If Cincinnati doesn't see significant improvement in 2025—especially on defense and the offensive line—Tobin’s reputation might take a serious nosedive. And that shiny "we drafted Burrow and Chase" medal? It's going to look real tarnished.
⚙️ Why The GM Job is a No-Win Scenario (Sometimes)
Being a GM is a bit like being a quarterback—you get all the glory when things go right, and all the blame when they go sideways.
Tobin, for better or worse, has become the face of that Bengals blueprint. He’s responsible not just for Burrow and Chase but for every failed lineman, every cornerback who got burned deep, and every linebacker who couldn’t cover a tight end.
But here’s the twist: sometimes, he’s also the scapegoat. When things fall apart, it’s easier to blame the GM than the quarterback or even the head coach. Especially when Taylor seems to get a bit more leeway than he probably should.
🔍 What Needs to Happen in 2025
Want to know what success looks like this year for Tobin? Here’s a checklist:
-
✅ A retooled offensive line that actually protects Burrow.
-
✅ Defensive improvements that don’t rely solely on Hendrickson.
-
✅ Smart draft picks that contribute this season—not in 2027.
-
✅ New coaches syncing seamlessly with personnel.
-
✅ Playoff wins. Not just appearances.
If most of those boxes get checked, Tobin’s stock will rise again. If not? Fans, and maybe even ownership, will start asking the tough questions.
🏈 Final Thought
Duke Tobin might not be the flashiest GM—or even technically a GM at all (he holds the title of “director of player personnel,” but he functions as the GM). But titles don’t matter in the NFL. Results do.
2025 is shaping up to be a make-or-break season. The "easy button" years are over. The Burrow-Chase honeymoon is fading. And now it’s time to show that Cincinnati can be a consistent powerhouse, not just a one-hit wonder.
Buckle up, Bengals fans. The Duke Tobin Era is at a crossroads. Let’s see if the guy behind the curtain can pull off one more magic trick—or if it’s time for someone else to take the stage.
Login