CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin took some ownership of what he called a “frustrating” season in Cincinnati.
In a rare occurrence, Cincinnati’s de facto general manager talked with reporters Friday after fans called for Tobin to speak.
Tobin said the Bengals did not meet expectations this season, missing the playoffs for a third straight season.
“The group we put out there did not meet those expectations,” he explained.
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Not living up to their championship-level expectations, Tobin said, is in part because Joe Burrow was sidelined with a toe injury for part of the season.
“When you lose your quarterback, we have a great quarterback that we have taken great pains in building an offense around and for,” Tobin said Friday.
Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin took some ownership of what he called a “frustrating” season in Cincinnati.(wxix)
Reflecting on the Bengals’ struggles in the season, Tobin admitted that he has to be better with roster construction.
“We have to make the right decisions (in roster building),” Tobin said. “When we make mistakes, it’s on me. I have to steer the ship away from poor decisions. I have to do a better job of pointing us to the right decisions.”
Tobin is not lacking confidence going forward.
He, along with head coach Zac Taylor, has the backing of the Bengals president Mike Brown.
Why should you still be in the job?
Duke Tobin: “If you’re asking if I have confidence in myself, I do. I have confidence in ownership. It’s not up to me to determine if I should be here. This has been my life, it’s what I do. I believe I know this game and I know players.”
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) January 9, 2026
“I think great days are ahead,” Tobin told reporters.
The Bengals hold the No. 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tobin said Cincinnati needs to bolster its pass rush, and that is his focus.
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