The Cincinnati Bengals’ front office structure continues to draw scrutiny from fans who want the organization to hire a traditional general manager. The closest we’ve come is Duke Tobin, who is the de facto GM and the Director of Player Personnel.
So, while there isn’t a desk at Paycor Stadium with a GM nameplate on the desk, one member of the current personnel department may be positioning himself for that role elsewhere.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Bengals assistant general manager Mike Potts is a name “closing in” on a full-fledged NFL general manager job. Potts was promoted to assistant GM during the 2024 offseason, joining Steven Radicevic and Trey Brown in newly created roles under director of player personnel Duke Tobin.
“I’ve mentioned Trey Brown and Steve Radicevic, the other two promoted to assistant GM last year, as good names—and now it’s Potts’ turn,” Breer wrote. “All three are very capable, even despite a couple of frustrating years in Cincinnati for Duke Tobin and his staff.
“Potts has long been the linchpin of the Bengals’ college scouting operation, and really has to get his hands dirty, because of the small size of Tobin’s group. In doing so, he’s earned the respect of so many in the scouting community. And as is the case with Brown and Radicevic, these guys all get to work in all facets of the roster-building process.”
Potts enters his 11th season with the Bengals and his 15th year working in the NFL. Per Bengals.com, his responsibilities include managing the personnel staff, overseeing the draft process, evaluating top prospects nationwide, developing the draft board, and facilitating undrafted free agency. His role extends beyond college scouting and into all aspects of roster construction.
With more than a decade inside the Bengals’ building and a hand in shaping recent rosters, Potts has become a logical candidate for teams seeking a traditional general manager structure. Whether or not Cincinnati ever adopts that model internally, his recent promotion may be a signal that other organizations are taking notice.
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