Bengals: Six themes from Duke Tobin's 63-minute media session.

Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin spoke on the record for 63 minutes, outlining six themes including a focus on pass rush, needs for defensive leadership, and the team's struggles to finish close games.

Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin held an on-the-record media session that lasted one hour and three minutes on Friday. The timing was unusual because Tobin typically speaks publicly after the season at the Senior Bowl and stays off the record during training camp. He addressed the club's state after three straight seasons without a playoff appearance and noted the full front office and coaching staff will return next season. Tobin said he chose to speak in Cincinnati to provide transparency and accountability. Key points from Tobin's remarks: - Tobin said pass rush is a top offseason priority, noting that pressuring the passer eases strain on coverage and is central to his defensive focus. - He defended the current scouting staff size and said the scouting process, coaching staff and player-acquisition approach will remain the same. - Tobin highlighted a need for more defensive leadership and cited progress from young players such as Myles Murphy, Dax Hill, DJ Turner and Jordan Battle while saying leadership could come from inside or outside the team. - He identified closing out one-score games as a major problem and said responsibility for finishing falls across the organization. - Tobin defended his personnel operation by referencing past successes in drafts and free agency that helped build playoff and Super Bowl teams. - He explained why he spoke publicly in Cincinnati, said Zac Taylor remains the team's primary voice during the season, and left open the possibility of similar appearances in the future. Summary: Tobin kept the club's overall approach intact while calling out specific priorities: adding pass rush, finding defensive leaders and improving game-closing. He portrayed the scouting staff size as intentional and emphasized accountability across the roster and staff. Undetermined at this time.