What do we actually know about Duke "Mayo" Tobin? Come Google with me in real time. Add what you know below!



This "American Beauty" era Kevin Spacey look alike comes from a long line of NFL has beens and never wases. His father Bill was best known for making such a bad draft choice he had to get all salty with Mel Kiper for pointing out that he's an idiot. His Uncle Vince managed to lead some last place Cardinal and Lions teams. He inherited Buddy Ryan's defense and squeezed a respectable season out of it.

Duke himself was an AFL QB - Hardly even a journeyman backup. https://www.arenafan.com/players/1606/ 9-7 TD:INT and under 60% completion. Ouch.

Apparently he was born aged 35 and had a receding hair line by age 3.

I have him at Colorado in 1993, which means he was MAYBE a backup to Kordell Stewart? Or maybe he was like my glorious stint as the 95th string safety for the Fightin' Gators? Plenty of guys hang around on the "practice squad." Especially if you can help Emmitt Smith pass math. Either way... No college stats for him.

Groovy connection. He backed up Ben Bennett who played for the Bengals in 1987.

Hey! Here we go - Duke Tobin vs. Jay Gruden! I'm going to go watch this!

https://youtu.be/NlTvuTgLils?si=SpxscA-1Bx6ZTpaa

Oh, brief aside here...


Thanks for putting on a show for us Latrod. Glad to see you're not running around drafting WR's who are addicted to slot machines. You stayed away from all that darkness and learned to walk in the light. I'm proud of you man.

was raised in the nfl, played college ball at QB, for colorado and illinois, father and uncle both worked for many teams in scouting and personnel.

6 minutes ago, GoBengals said:

was raised in the nfl, played college ball at QB, for colorado and illinois, father and uncle both worked for many teams in scouting and personnel.

Honestly appealing to your encyclopedic knowledge of all things Bengals - I'm trying to uncover Duke's resume. Why is he THE trusted advisor? What accomplishments have him elevated to the level of untouchable "practically family" employee and loudest non-family voice? I don't see where Paul | Mike | Katie | Whomever had any preexisting relationship with him. He was a very young guy when he came to us in 1999 with no coaching resume and ~20 less AFL snaps than me. What am I missing??

I mean... Now that I think about it... I'm more qualified except my Dad worked for Firestone. Mike, Katie... I am so fun on business trips. OMG, you have no idea. And I find all of the awesome out of the way cheap places to eat that are really good too. I am the Trip Advisor master!

Anyway... I been smoking Satan's coleslaw... Seriously. I'd like to know. I'm 30 minutes into this game and he's not much of a QB. But Herkie Walls is pretty awesome.

20 minutes ago, GoBengals said:

was raised in the nfl, played college ball at QB, for colorado and illinois, father and uncle both worked for many teams in scouting and personnel.

So another one that believes their football knowledge was passed down through genetics, just like that hairline? No wonder he's been with the Bengals so long, they're birds of a feather. My Dad totally owns a dealership-type shit.

S'why I don't think firing him really accomplishes much - too likely to replace him with the next nepo-hire whose primary qualification is something their Dad once did.. but after 20+ years, overdue regardless.

4 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

So another one that believes their football knowledge was passed down through genetics, just like that hairline? No wonder he's been with the Bengals so long, they're birds of a feather. My Dad totally owns a dealership-type shit.

S'why I don't think firing him really accomplishes much - too likely to replace him with the next nepo-hire whose primary qualification is something their Dad once did.. but after 20+ years, overdue regardless.

At ~45 minutes into that game, you can watch him get plastered on three straight goal line drives. It made me laugh. I'm not too proud to admit that.

And it was on the one because he threw an interception that got fumbled. (cue wacky saxophone music)

1 minute ago, LostInDaJungle said:

At ~45 minutes into that game, you can watch him get plastered on three straight goal line drives. It made me laugh. I'm not too proud to admit that.

And it was on the one because he threw an interception that got fumbled. (cue wacky saxophone music)

If only he'd had a John Ross...

OK yeah I do want to see this, for science

edit: can almost see the desk job forming in his mind after that 2nd hit

I knew he looked familiar....

11 hours ago, GoBengals said:

was raised in the nfl, played college ball at QB, for colorado and illinois, father and uncle both worked for many teams in scouting and personnel.

So he’s a nepo baby. Makes sense why the Brown family would keep him around.

7 hours ago, Inigo Montoya said:

So he’s a nepo baby. Makes sense why the Brown family would keep him around.

Even if that's the case... He's a crappy nepo baby with no ties to the team.

His Uncle took over the '85 bears defense and managed a good season that he turned into being the HC of a Cardinals team that mostly finished last in their division. He finished up with a stint leading the Lions to a 2-14 season. At no point was another Tobin HC of the Bengals, his grandfather wasn't Paul Brown's coordinator back in 1962...

Like I see no real connection between the Tobin family and the Brown family until Duke, just 5 years removed from being an AFL backup QB, takes over as the biggest voice in the room.

So... Not the grandson of Vince Lombardi. Not the product of NFL legends. He has no obvious past successes to justify the faith placed in him. No great accomplishments at any level of football. From an "NFL Family" but not one that has ties to "The Family". Heck, he's not even Forrest Gregg's nephew, or Sam Wyche's pool boy.

Again - how did Duke Tobin wind up as the untouchable GM of an NFL team? "Practically family". I'd like to know.

10 minutes ago, LostInDaJungle said:

Even if that's the case... He's a crappy nepo baby with no ties to the team.

His Uncle took over the '85 bears defense and managed a good season that he turned into being the HC of a Cardinals team that mostly finished last in their division. He finished up with a stint leading the Lions to a 2-14 season. At no point was another Tobin HC of the Bengals, his grandfather wasn't Paul Brown's coordinator back in 1962...

Like I see no real connection between the Tobin family and the Brown family until Duke, just 5 years removed from being an AFL backup QB, takes over as the biggest voice in the room.

So... Not the grandson of Vince Lombardi. Not the product of NFL legends. He has no obvious past successes to justify the faith placed in him. No great accomplishments at any level of football. From an "NFL Family" but not one that has ties to "The Family". Heck, he's not even Forrest Gregg's nephew, or Sam Wyche's pool boy.

Again - how did Duke Tobin wind up as the untouchable GM of an NFL team? "Practically family". I'd like to know.

They're children of nobility, someone's grand-papa once saved the other a seat at a charity ball & here we are.. The NFL is an exclusive club & runs on a patronage system, nothing to do with professional ties. How many HC's sons have had their shot based on nothing more? They had to make a franchise by-law just to get minority candidates interviewed for these positions. Most of them have to be either extremely good or bad at their jobs before we even know their names. Performance is secondary, it's more about keeping the machine running smoothly & everyone gets paid. After 20+ years he's a familiar presence, he doesn't contradict them or pressure them to leave their comfort zones. He's there to manage expectations & basically put their toys away whenever they're done playing with them. The dauphin demands "More tight ends!" so he drives down to Walmart. Well done, there's a good chap. Don't worry about those peasants at the gates.

Duke Tobin is far from unique.

21 hours ago, T-Dub said:

So another one that believes their football knowledge was passed down through genetics, just like that hairline? No wonder he's been with the Bengals so long, they're birds of a feather. My Dad totally owns a dealership-type shit.

S'why I don't think firing him really accomplishes much - too likely to replace him with the next nepo-hire whose primary qualification is something their Dad once did.. but after 20+ years, overdue regardless.

shit, this might be the dumbest thing you have posted and jesus fucking christ is that an accomplishment.

the unmitigated gull to sit here and pretend being raised around somerthing, like, i dunno, pro sports, doesnt give you an enormous edge in the understanding and knowledge required to do jobs in pro sports is so fucking insane i cant see straight.

playing sports gives you a better understanding of said sports. working in sports give you a better understanding of sports, growing up in sports, gives you a better understanding of sports.

what is it, 20% of current generation of new doctors had at least 1 parents as a doctor? WHAT A FUCKING COINCIDENCE!!!!!!

get fucking real jesus fucking christ.

30 minutes ago, GoBengals said:

shit, this might be the dumbest thing you have posted and jesus fucking christ is that an accomplishment.

the unmitigated gull to sit here and pretend being raised around somerthing, like, i dunno, pro sports, doesnt give you an enormous edge in the understanding and knowledge required to do jobs in pro sports is so fucking insane i cant see straight.

playing sports gives you a better understanding of said sports. working in sports give you a better understanding of sports, growing up in sports, gives you a better understanding of sports.

what is it, 20% of current generation of new doctors had at least 1 parents as a doctor? WHAT A FUCKING COINCIDENCE!!!!!!

get fucking real jesus fucking christ.

You're getting awfully worked up on behalf of people that don't even know you exist. How dare I question the amazing pedigree of the Great Duke Tobin!?

Some real "Leave Britney Alone!" vibes my guy 🤣

4 hours ago, GoBengals said:

shit, this might be the dumbest thing you have posted and jesus fucking christ is that an accomplishment.

the unmitigated gull to sit here and pretend being raised around somerthing, like, i dunno, pro sports, doesnt give you an enormous edge in the understanding and knowledge required to do jobs in pro sports is so fucking insane i cant see straight.

playing sports gives you a better understanding of said sports. working in sports give you a better understanding of sports, growing up in sports, gives you a better understanding of sports.

what is it, 20% of current generation of new doctors had at least 1 parents as a doctor? WHAT A FUCKING COINCIDENCE!!!!!!

get fucking real jesus fucking christ.

I mean - no one here is working off of idle speculation. Ok, maybe Duke was raised by doctors. Maybe he even was a doctor at Patient First for a few years.

But now he holds one of the most high profile jobs in the medical profession. One of 32 jobs plenty of guys would love to have. And half his patients die. And quite a few in spectacular ways. Seemingly young, healthy teams are hobbled after he does surgery on them.

You were given every opportunity and a platform here to tell us Duke is qualified by some magic other than nepotism and failed. I asked the open question and then literally begged you to share anything more than "His Dad was a mediocre coach". Is there anything more to share?

But, we're "dumb" for not appreciating that Duke Tobin was the son of an answer to a Trivial Pursuit question no one will ever ask and is therefore qualified to do the job we've watched him fail at for 25 years? That as we sit here and bag and tag the corpse of last year's high hopes, we're the dumb ones for asking if this is really the guy we want operating on us? Has anyone stepped into this thread in 2 days to give us a reason to believe in Duke "of Earl" Tobin? Bueller? Bueller??

I mean tell me he was the guy who wanted New England to draft Tom Brady. He was an awesome position coach... I mean, DeFacto GM at 27ish? Why? How? What promise did he show, and what has he accomplished? Many more accomplished GM's league wide don't have such leeway. Duke Tobin isn't even the only underqualified nepo baby. Why this guy? None of Jim Mora's kids backed up Ben Rothlisberger in College? None of Rich Kotite's kids played in the Canadian league?

Stop being offended the question was asked and give it a good answer. That'll do a whole lot more to shut people up. I'm listening. Tell me why I should have the same faith in Duke Tobin that Mike Brown does.

13 hours ago, T-Dub said:

They're children of nobility, someone's grand-papa once saved the other a seat at a charity ball & here we are.. The NFL is an exclusive club & runs on a patronage system, nothing to do with professional ties. How many HC's sons have had their shot based on nothing more? They had to make a franchise by-law just to get minority candidates interviewed for these positions. Most of them have to be either extremely good or bad at their jobs before we even know their names. Performance is secondary, it's more about keeping the machine running smoothly & everyone gets paid. After 20+ years he's a familiar presence, he doesn't contradict them or pressure them to leave their comfort zones. He's there to manage expectations & basically put their toys away whenever they're done playing with them. The dauphin demands "More tight ends!" so he drives down to Walmart. Well done, there's a good chap. Don't worry about those peasants at the gates.

Duke Tobin is far from unique.

And his son isn't either.

4 hours ago, Dautcom08 said:

And his son isn't either.

What a bunch of idiots! They could have their coaches watch Youtube highlights the week before the draft and save so much money

On 1/5/2026 at 8:53 PM, LostInDaJungle said:

Honestly appealing to your encyclopedic knowledge of all things Bengals - I'm trying to uncover Duke's resume. Why is he THE trusted advisor? What accomplishments have him elevated to the level of untouchable "practically family" employee and loudest non-family voice?

Nepotiz, like every other owner and front office person. Working your way to the top is not allowed, except on the field, which is why I love the players and always take their side.

"Duke Tobin (son of Bengals' Duke Tobin)..."

Reminds me of an answer to a media question the great RB Lawrence McCutcheon had way back in the day:

Media: "Do you mind if we call you 'Larry'?"

McCutcheon: "Yes, that's my brother's name"

23 minutes ago, Le Tigre said:

"Duke Tobin (son of Bengals' Duke Tobin)..."

Reminds me of an answer to a media question the great RB Lawrence McCutcheon had way back in the day:

Media: "Do you mind if we call you 'Larry'?"

McCutcheon: "Yes, that's my brother's name"

So you're saying when Duke Tobin finally retires.. The Bengals will hire Duke Tobin.

Duke and Duke Jr

11 hours ago, Dautcom08 said:

And his son isn't either.

I give Duke Jr credit for going outside the Bengals org and not ascending within it. Being part of the Eagles org may give him insights into how better run teams do player evaluation. Maybe he'll give his dad some tips....

18 hours ago, sparky151 said:

I give Duke Jr credit for going outside the Bengals org and not ascending within it. Being part of the Eagles org may give him insights into how better run teams do player evaluation. Maybe he'll give his dad some tips....

“Hey Dad, we have 24 guys in our personnel department! You should see the work they do, it is amazing!”

“Well son, I have a hard time managing 7 people so that seems overwhelming. What do they do with all that information?”.

16 minutes ago, Griever said:

How much do you plan to rely on young draft picks and how much are you willing to go out and get guys?