Cincinnati signed wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to extensions this offseason and have quarterback Joe Burrow under contract through the 2029 campaign. They have committed plenty of financial resources to the offensive side of the ball while building out the roster.

"Defense is important. A lot of people believe defense wins championships, and maybe that’s true. If we get a little better over there, maybe we will," Tobin said.