It’s Time for the Bengals to Move On from Duke Tobin

For more than two decades, Duke Tobin has quietly been the most powerful figure inside the Cincinnati Bengals organization. While he’s never held the official title of “General Manager,” make no mistake — Tobin has been the decision-maker when it comes to personnel, the draft, and the long-term roster vision. And while the franchise has enjoyed moments of success during his tenure — including the 2021 Super Bowl run — the Bengals now find themselves at a crossroads.

Simply put, the time has come for the organization to move on from Duke Tobin.

A Record of Mediocrity Masked by Burrow’s Brilliance

Joe Burrow’s arrival in 2020 gave the Bengals legitimacy they hadn’t enjoyed since the prime Marvin Lewis years. But it’s hard to ignore the fact that Burrow’s presence has papered over years of inconsistent drafting and questionable roster construction. Cincinnati has lived off Burrow’s elite quarterback play and the chemistry he developed with Ja’Marr Chase — not off a complete, sustainable roster built through smart front-office decisions.

When evaluating Tobin’s track record, it’s clear the Bengals’ success has come despite his recent drafting, not because of it.

The Draft Misses Are Mounting

Over the past five drafts, the Bengals’ drafting record has been, at best, uneven — and at worst, disastrous. Here’s a look at the problem areas:

• 2020: Joe Burrow was a no-brainer at No. 1 overall. But beyond that? Tee Higgins was a strong pick — yet the rest of the class, including Logan Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither, has produced limited consistency. Depth pieces never developed into impact players.

• 2021: Ja’Marr Chase was a home run — but one that fell into Tobin’s lap thanks to Burrow’s insistence. Jackson Carman, the second-rounder, has been one of the biggest draft busts in recent team history. Trey Hill, Joseph Ossai, and others have struggled to stay healthy or make any meaningful impact.

• 2022–2024: The trend continued. Dax Hill has yet to prove he’s a true replacement for Jessie Bates. Myles Murphy was a confusing pick that hasn’t paid dividends. Meanwhile, glaring needs on the offensive line and tight end positions have been consistently ignored or mishandled.

Tobin’s drafts have been characterized by a consistent failure to build depth and an overreliance on top-heavy star power. When Burrow or Chase go down, there’s no wave of young, homegrown contributors ready to step up — and that’s on the man making the picks.

Poor Roster Balance and a Reactive Approach

Tobin has long been praised for his cap discipline, but that “discipline” has too often translated to passivity. The Bengals have routinely waited too long to address glaring needs — from offensive line protection in 2020–2021 to cornerback depth and defensive line issues more recently. The franchise’s free-agent successes (like Trey Hendrickson or DJ Reader) were the exception, not the rule, and even those came only after massive public pressure.

Cincinnati has drafted like a team perpetually one year behind the rest of the AFC contenders. The Ravens, Chiefs, and even the upstart Texans have shown the importance of proactive roster building. The Bengals, under Tobin, have too often been reactive — patching holes instead of preventing them.

The Window Is Closing — and Leadership Has Grown Stale

Joe Burrow’s prime won’t last forever, and the Bengals’ championship window is shrinking faster than the front office seems to realize. The offensive line remains unreliable. The defensive core that powered their 2021 and 2022 playoff runs is aging or leaving. And yet, the front office continues to lean on “continuity” as a crutch for innovation.

At some point, continuity becomes complacency. Tobin has been with the organization since 1999. After a quarter-century in the same role — with the same ownership dynamic, the same blind spots, and the same drafting issues — it’s clear the Bengals need fresh leadership, a true general manager with modern vision and accountability.

A Needed Reset for the Future

Mike Brown and Katie Blackburn have long valued loyalty, but loyalty without results leads to stagnation. The Bengals’ rise was fueled by Burrow’s leadership and Zac Taylor’s offensive scheme — not a sudden leap in front-office excellence. If Cincinnati wants to take the next step from “competitive” to “championship-caliber,” it needs a modern personnel department that can hit on drafts, aggressively manage free agency, and adapt to an evolving league.

Duke Tobin has had a long run. But the evidence is clear: the Bengals’ recent drafts have failed to replenish the roster, and the team’s depth and long-term structure are crumbling. For Cincinnati to truly maximize Joe Burrow’s era, it’s time to hand the keys to someone new.