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If there are other Bengals fans out there that had a glimmer of hope that the team would - some day - hire an actual GM, Tyler Dragon is here to give you a dose of reality.
He also made it clear that Duke Tobin will continue to be the closest thing the team has to a GM for the foreseeable future.
I asked if it’s possible the team could get a general manager or if Tobin might end up on the hot seat if the team doesn’t get better results in the Draft.
Dragon responded:
“To answer your questions: no and no. I don’t see the Bengals hiring an official GM any time soon. Duke Tobin is the de facto GM as well as Mike Brown, Katie Blackburn, they all operate together, as well as Zac Taylor, they make the decisions organizationally. So I don’t see them hiring a GM. And Duke Tobin, he’s been there for a while now. I don’t believe he’s on the hot seat.”
Dragon then mentioned that Tobin had a solid Draft last year in getting Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, and Logan Wilson, all of whom will be big contributors this year.
“They had a good Draft last year,” Dragon said. “I don’t see Duke Tobin as being on the hot seat at any time soon,” he reiterated.
You can watch the entire interview with Dragon below:
You can also listen on iTunes or using the player below:
Tobin, of course, had a number of excellent Drafts in the early 2010’s that resulted in a roster that went to five straight playoff appearances. But recently, the team has missed more than it has hit, especially on the offensive line. The selection of Burrow was a no-brainer, but it may have given the roster enough of a boost to stave off criticism of the front office for the next few years.
A GM, though, does more than just Draft. And with the Bengals forced to finally spend on outside free agents due to the huge holes and big expectations, they will need their big free agent moves to work out. If the team fails to take advantage of Burrow’s rookie contract with at least a playoff win, there may soon be a clamoring for a new voice in the front office.