Duke Tobin Addresses Star Player Contracts, Jonah Williams' Status

The Bengals hold seven picks in next weekend's draft.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Publish date:
Apr 20, 2023 2:15 PM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The NFL draft is one week away as Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin met with the media on Thursday.

Tobin made it clear that the team is in a position to take the best position available at No. 28. He also dove into the contact discussions with players like Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Logan Wilson.

"Something we think about all the time, the contract things you can't predict when and if they'll get done," Tobin said. "We're working to try to have as many good players on our football team as we can and try to keep them as long as we can. The ones that are producing really fit well here we're trying, like heck to get those guys extended, renegotiated, signed after their contract expires."

Cincinnati has multiple stars it can extend this offseason, but it won't affect how they draft throughout next weekend.

"I don't think it necessarily does," Tobin said about those contracts playing a factor on draft day. "We try to maximize each year. And so we do have a certain number of guys under contract for this year, whether we can get them extended beyond that or not. The hope is that we could, but that when we go into the draft, we're still cognizant of what is important not only this year, but two years from now or so forth, but we're not a heavy needs (team). 'We got to have the safety in the fifth round.' We don't do that. We let the fifth round come and see what the best players are."

Tobin also discussed Jonah Williams' status with the team. In his eyes, nothing's changed, despite the right tackle requesting a trade.

"Jonah, he's a member of our team," Tobin said. "He's a valuable member of our team, and if that changes, you guys will be the first to know, but right now, that hasn't changed."

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