CINCINNATI -- The news comes as little surprise, but it's important news nonetheless for the Cincinnati Bengals.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin will remain in his role in Cincinnati despite receiving overtures from other teams this week.
Both the Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans requested permission to interview Tobin for general manager openings they have, but league sources have told Schefter that Tobin and the Bengals have committed to each other for the long-term. He isn't leaving anytime soon.
Tobin, the son of current Bengals scout and former Colts GM Bill Tobin, has been with the Bengals since 1999. His role is Cincinnati's equivalent of a GM position, although the team doesn't formally have that title. It has been since 2011 that Tobin and head coach Marvin Lewis have had greater roles in the decisions to draft and sign players. One could argue the tandem has created one of the league's most stable franchises from a talent and personnel standpoint.
The Bengals have made it to the playoffs every year since 2011. On Saturday, they host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC wild-card round.