The Bengals’ Scouting Department: A Growing Force

For years, Cincinnati Bengals fans have voiced their concerns about the team’s limited scouting department. Historically, the organization has operated with a small number of scouts under the direction of Duke Tobin, the director of player personnel. Tobin has consistently emphasized that this smaller setup is by design, believing that fewer people mean more focused decision-making and stronger trust within the group.

However, the Bengals recognized the need for change last year when they decided to expand their scouting efforts. They brought on board Josh Hinch and Tyler Ramsey as scouts, along with Trey LaBounty, who serves as a scouting research analyst. This move came despite the loss of Christian Sarkisian, who moved to the college ranks. Despite this setback, the team managed to grow its personnel department, adding more resources to support their football operations.

This expansion has been in the works for the past seven months, but now that the offseason is in full swing, it’s time for these changes to start making an impact. Fans are hoping that the larger scouting team will lead to better decisions during the NFL Draft and free agency, ultimately helping the team avoid the mistakes of recent years.

More Eyes, More Perspectives

The goal of expanding the scouting department is clear: to cover more ground and gain a broader perspective on potential talent. Assistant general manager Mike Potts, who previously held the title of director of college scouting, believes that having more people involved will lead to more efficient and thorough evaluations of players.

“More efficient and more eyes on more players,” Potts told Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson. “Multiple looks at more players on both the college and pro side, and that’s through seeing them in person on visits and watching them on tape as well.”

This increase in manpower also brings new ideas and approaches to the table. For instance, LaBounty’s role focuses heavily on data and analytics, which is a relatively new concept for the Bengals. His background in technical analysis has allowed him to introduce fresh strategies aimed at improving the overall scouting process.

“I’ve got a different background from the technical aspect,” LaBounty said. “And it has allowed me to come in and ask, ‘How can we streamline our processes and make them more efficient?’ And then what are the areas where we can also go in and create new ones?”

Preparing for the Future

With free agency just around the corner and the NFL Draft following shortly after, Hinch, Ramsey, and LaBounty are set to put their new perspectives to work. The timing couldn’t be better, as the Bengals need to make strategic moves to strengthen their roster. In 2025, the team had a lackluster offseason, with few impactful additions and rookies who struggled to contribute immediately—except for left guard Dylan Fairchild.

As Joe Burrow enters his 30s, the pressure to build a competitive roster has never been higher. While the scouting department is still not large by NFL standards, it’s the biggest it’s ever been. Whether this growth will translate into better results remains to be seen.

Looking Ahead

The Bengals’ decision to expand their scouting department reflects a broader shift in how the team approaches player evaluation. With more voices and diverse perspectives, there’s hope that the organization can make smarter decisions and avoid past missteps.

Fans are watching closely, eager to see if this investment in talent evaluation will pay off. As the offseason progresses, the true test of this new strategy will begin. Whether it leads to success or not, one thing is certain: the Bengals are taking steps to ensure they’re better prepared for the challenges ahead.