The Cincinnati Bengals’ front office structure continues to come under scrutiny from fans who want the team to hire a traditional general manager. The closest we have is Duke Tobin, who is the de facto general manager and director of player personnel.
So while there isn’t a desk at Paycor Stadium with a general manager’s nameplate hanging on it, a current member of the personnel department may be filling that role elsewhere.
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Bengals assistant general manager Mike Potts is “close” to officially taking on the NFL general manager role, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Potts was promoted to assistant general manager in the 2024 offseason, joining Steven Radicevic and Trey Brown in the newly created position under director of player personnel Duke Tobin.
“I mentioned Trey Brown and Steve Radicevic, two other guys promoted to assistant general manager last year who are both good names, and now it’s Potts’ turn,” Brill wrote. “Although Duke Tobin and his staff have had a frustrating few years in Cincinnati, all three are very capable.
“Potts has long been a linchpin of the Bengals’ college scouting operation, and since Tobin’s staff is smaller, he really has to be hands-on. In doing so, he’s earned the respect of many in the scouting community. As is the case with Brown and Radicevic, these guys are invested in every aspect of the roster-building process.”
Potts enters his 11th season with the Bengals and his 15th year in the NFL. According to Bengals.com, his responsibilities include managing personnel personnel, overseeing the draft process, evaluating top prospects nationwide, developing draft boards and facilitating undrafted free agents. His responsibilities extend beyond college scouting to include all aspects of roster construction.
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Potts, who spent more than a decade with the Bengals and helped shape recent rosters, has emerged as a logical candidate for a team looking for a traditional general manager structure. Whether or not that’s the model within Cincinnati, his recent promotion could be a sign that other organizations are taking notice.
