Exclusive: Q&A with Duke Tobin on Bengals’ Current State
By Kelsey Conway
Cincinnati Enquirer
MOBILE, Ala. – Duke Tobin, director of personnel for the Cincinnati Bengals, sat down with The Enquirer for an exclusive Q&A at the Senior Bowl, where he addressed a variety of topics, including potential player extensions, the team’s struggles last season, and plans for the upcoming offseason. This marks Tobin’s first public interview since July at the Bengals’ media luncheon.
Here is the full Q&A with Tobin.
Q: What disappointed you most about how last season unfolded?
Duke Tobin: I’m frustrated by our inability to finish games. It’s not about the team—we never faced a team we couldn’t have beaten. We put ourselves in positions to win games but failed to finish them. We had opportunities to win, even against the top teams, but we didn’t capitalize. That’s my main concern—figuring out how to improve our ability to finish those close games. You’ve got to win the close ones to get to the playoffs, and we didn’t win enough of them.
Q: What were your honest thoughts on the defense and what didn’t work?
Tobin: We’re going to have to retool the defense. We kept most of our key Super Bowl defensive players together, including three starting defensive linemen and two linebackers. We also made some upgrades in other areas. Our defense had a high payroll because we retained these players, expecting it to work. But it didn’t come together, and maybe I should’ve made more changes earlier. Going into next season, we need to evaluate who can perform and who can’t, where the money is best spent, and if we’re investing in the right positions.
Q: Where do you start in retooling the defense?
Tobin: The challenge is figuring out how many top-tier players you can afford at each position. We’ll need to determine how much we should invest in players who had solid performances and how much to move away from others. It’s tough because I believe in every player in our locker room, but we’ll have to make some hard decisions moving forward. I was encouraged by some of the younger players who stepped up later in the season, especially on the defensive line.
Q: What’s the plan to address the pass rush and evaluate the defensive line?
Tobin: We had three young defensive linemen show promise, which gives me hope for next season. We definitely need more pass rush, but we have to create more opportunities for it. We weren’t putting ourselves in enough third-and-long situations, and we need to play with a lead more often. Playing with a lead allows us to make stops and pressure the quarterback. We also need to strengthen the interior defensive line, and we’ll need to assess who will return and who won’t.
Q: How do you address the slow starts at the beginning of the season?
Tobin: Our performance against New England was disappointing. We didn’t play well, but we still had chances to win. We didn’t make the necessary plays to close out the game. We need to start faster, and that’s something Zac (Taylor) and our coaches are looking at. We’re all working together to figure out how to improve our starts next year.
Q: What ultimately sank the season?
Tobin: If we were a team that was always down by two scores in the fourth quarter, I wouldn’t be sitting here saying we could’ve won the championship. The fact is, we could’ve won it all if we finished games, but we didn’t. We own our record, and I can tell you no one wanted to face us in the playoffs if we had made it. The biggest issue was not making plays at critical moments, especially at the end of games. That’s what sunk our season.
Q: What needs to change with the style of play from last year?
Tobin: We’ll retool, especially on defense and in the running game. If you play better defense, it makes it easier to be more flexible on offense. Joe (Burrow) felt a lot of pressure to carry the team on offense, which contributed to the way we played. It’s not about blaming anyone; it’s more about how we stay with players who’ve been through successful times. This year, we might have to make some changes.
Q: What’s the likelihood of keeping Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins together?
Tobin: It’s going to be challenging. We believe we have the resources, but it all depends on how negotiations go. I’ve been upfront about wanting Tee to stay, and that desire remains. We just need to find a deal that works for both sides, considering his production and experience. We want Tee here, but we’ll need to balance that with other priorities.
Q: What role does Joe Burrow play in these decisions?
Tobin: I talk to Joe every offseason about the team.
Q: Have you already had those discussions?
Tobin: Yes. I get feedback from Joe and share my thoughts with him. We’re usually on the same page. Joe wants Tee back too, but it all comes down to reaching an agreement that works for both sides. If we can’t find that agreement, it will be tough, and we’ll have to explore other options.
Q: Are you planning an extension for Trey Hendrickson this offseason?
Tobin: We’d love to extend Trey. He’s been a key player for us, but we can’t afford to have top pay at every position. We’ll do what we can, and we’re aware of his value. Whether we can agree on the specifics of the extension is still to be determined.
Q: What’s the status of Ja’Marr Chase’s contract extension?
Tobin: It’s a priority. We have a good framework to work with based on similar contracts for players in his position. We believe in Ja’Marr and want to get a deal done that makes sense for both sides. I expect we can reach an agreement, but it will require negotiation.
Q: How do you get Cam Taylor-Britt back on track?
Tobin: Cam was on track to be one of the top corners, and I believe he can get back to that level. It’s about regaining his confidence and swagger. A change of approach or environment could help him, but we have a lot of belief in him.
Q: How do you get more out of Myles Murphy?
Tobin: I still believe in Myles. As he got more playing time late in the season, he showed some progress. At his position, it’s important to get into a rhythm, and he’s starting to find that. We need him to finish plays, especially at the top of the rush. With the right coaching, I’m confident he’ll improve.
Q: How do you improve guard play?
Tobin: We’ve hired a new offensive line coach, and we believe he’ll help improve technique. We’ll also add competition to the position and evaluate current players, as well as potential new additions, through the draft or free agency.
Q: How do you assess the play of Geno Stone and Jordan Battle?
Tobin: Their play was inconsistent, which reflects the unit as a whole. They had flashes of good play, but we need more consistency, especially with tackling. It’s a crucial part of defense, and they have the ability to improve. With a new defensive philosophy under Al Golden, they’ll have an opportunity to grow.
Q: What does Jermaine Burton need to do to earn a spot on the roster?
Tobin: Jermaine hasn’t done enough yet, and he needs to start showing results. We took a risk on him, but he has the talent. However, it’s a professional league, and accountability is key. We’ve given him the resources to succeed, but at the end of the day, it’s up to him to take responsibility and make the most of the opportunity.
