Top 10 Cincinnati Bengals Quarterbacks of All-Time

Criteria for Selection

This list is subjective, but it significantly emphasises individual statistics and overall team success. Playoff performance is also considered, though to a limited extent. The ranking of the quarterbacks on this list is open to debate and may change in the future, which adds to the enjoyment of the discussion.

10. Greg Cook

The Cincinnati Bengals franchise has faced many what-if questions throughout its history, but perhaps none are as significant as that of quarterback Greg Cook. In 1969, Cook stepped in for the injured John Stofa and had an outstanding rookie season. He showcased his deep-ball capabilities by setting rookie records for yards per attempt and yards per completion, earning the title of AFL Rookie of the Year. Unfortunately, an undiagnosed torn rotator cuff prematurely ended Cook’s promising career after just one season, except for a brief comeback attempt in 1973. Those who witnessed his performance that year still remember the spectacular plays he delivered during his only starting season as a Bengal and professional quarterback.

Bill Walsh called Cook the most-talented Quarterback he ever saw.

• 1969 AFL Rookie of the Year

He Could Have Been The Greatest Player Ever

9. Turk Schonert

Except for the 1986 season, which he spent with the Atlanta Falcons, Turk Schonert spent his entire NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Although he made 64 appearances, he only started in seven games throughout eight seasons, often holding a clipboard rather than taking snaps. When Schonert did take the field, he had a knack for making positive plays. While his inaccuracy sometimes led to interceptions, he was also known for pushing the ball downfield aggressively, often against second-string defenses in blowout situations. During his tenure with the Bengals, he averaged 7.9 yards per passing attempt.

Schonert is on this list because of the 1981 season-opening game, when he replaced Ken Anderson, down 21-0, and led the Bengals to an impressive comeback win to start the Bengals’ first Super Bowl season.

Turk Schonert – Career Highlights

8. Virgil Carter

Virgil Carter was the starter in Cincinnati for just two seasons, but he was productive then. He’s in the top 10 in franchise history in both passing yards (3,850) and touchdowns (22). Carter notably led the Bengals to their first playoff appearance in franchise history in 1970. However, they could not advance as they were bested 17-0 by the Colts. Carter’s biggest individual accomplishment was leading the league in completion percentage in 1971.

• NFL Completion Percentage Leader 1971

Virgil Carter – Career Highlights

7. Jon Kitna

In 2001, the Bengals signed Jon Kitna as a free agent to end the shirt-lived Akili Smith era and support star receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh in developing their careers as starters, particularly as the team entered the Marvin Lewis era.

Kitna had the best season of his career in 2003 when Lewis took over, throwing for 26 touchdowns, which remains his career high, along with 3,591 passing yards, a single-season high for him then. His performance allowed the Bengals to take a patient approach by sitting their 2003 No. 1 draft pick, Carson Palmer, for the entire season. Kitna’s mentorship was instrumental in preparing Palmer for his future starting role. Kitna ranks seventh on the franchise’s career passing list with 10,707 yards, with the next highest total being 3,880 yards by David Klinger. He also ranks seventh in touchdown passes with 59 and in wins with 18.

• NFL Comeback Player of the Year 2003

Great Plays Made By Bengals Jon Kitna

6. Jeff Blake

During one of the darkest periods in Bengals history, Blake emerged as a beacon of light and hope. Cincinnati had lost 44 of its previous 55 games, including an 0-7 start in 1994. In response, head coach David Shula benched Klinger and named Blake the starting quarterback. In his first career start, Blake threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns without any interceptions.

The winless Bengals came close to upsetting the two-time defending champion Dallas Cowboys, ultimately falling short with a score of 23-20. Following that game, Blake led Cincinnati to back-to-back victories, sparking what became known as “Blake Mania” or “Shake and Blake,” depending on your preference. T-shirts, songs, and, most importantly, hope emerged from this newfound excitement.

Although the losing streak eventually returned, Blake’s high-arching deep passes made the offense enjoyable to watch. He led the team to a 7-9 record in 1995 and an 8-8 record in 1996. When Blake left Cincinnati to join New Orleans in 2000, he ranked third in team history across all major passing categories.

• Pro Bowl 1995

The Best Deep Ball Thrower in NFL History: Jeff Blake Highlights

5. Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer remains one of the biggest villains in Bengals history. Following the 2010 season, he presented owner Mike Brown with an ultimatum: “Trade me or I’ll retire.” This demand led to Palmer being reviled in Cincinnati ever since. However, Brown’s decision to trade him in October 2011 ultimately benefited the Bengals, as they acquired a first- and second-round pick from the Raiders. These picks were used to select Dre Kirkpatrick and Giovani Bernard.

Despite the hurt feelings and accusations of him being a “quitter,” Palmer was one of the top quarterbacks in the league during his seven seasons as Cincinnati’s starter— and he continued to excel beyond that period. He led the league in touchdown passes in 2005 and ranked second in the same category in 2006. Additionally, he finished second in passer rating and completion percentage in 2005 and was fourth in passing yards.

In his final season as the starter, despite the Bengals having a dismal record of 4-12, Palmer still ranked sixth in both yards and touchdowns. Among quarterbacks with at least 12 starts in Cincinnati history, Palmer ranks second in completion percentage (62.9%), third in passer rating (86.9), fourth in passing yards (22,694), touchdowns (154), and wins (46), and fifth in yards per attempt (7.1).

• 3 Time Pro Bowler
• NFL Passing TD Leader 2005
• NFL Completion Percentage Leader 2005
• Cincinnati Bengals 40th Anniversary Team

Carson Palmer Career Bengals Highlights

4. Boomer Esiason

Arguing that Boomer Esiason should be ranked ahead of Andy Dalton is not unreasonable. Dalton’s consistency over his nine years with the Bengals gave him a slight edge. Esiason, however, had the best single season between the two in 1988. During that year, the Maryland alumnus started all 16 games, leading the Bengals to a 12-4 record and a berth in Super Bowl XXIII, where they ultimately lost to the San Francisco 49ers.

Despite not winning a championship, Esiason was named the league’s MVP that season after throwing for 3,572 yards and recording 28 touchdown passes. He also led all quarterbacks with a 97.4 passer rating. Esiason earned three Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro selection during his time with the Bengals, with the All-Pro distinction coming in his MVP season. Over his 10 years with the Bengals, Esiason finished with 187 touchdown passes, ranking third in franchise history.

After his initial tenure with Cincinnati, he played three years with the New York Jets, with a record of 15-27 as the starting quarterback. He then spent one season with the Arizona Cardinals before returning to the Bengals in 1997, finishing with a 4-1 record in five starts. Esiason, was named the NFL’s Man of the Year in 1995, is also a member of the Bengals’ Ring of Honor.

• NFL MVP 1988
• Comeback Player of the Year 1995
• 4-Time Pro Bowler
• Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor

Boomer Esiason’s Top Plays With The Cincinnati Bengals

3. Andy Dalton

Although Andy Dalton didn’t lead the Bengals to a Super Bowl like Boomer Esiason did, he posted better statistics in a shorter time with the team. The Bengals selected the “Red Rifle” in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and he began his NFL career with five consecutive winning seasons. As a rookie, Dalton helped the Bengals achieve a 9-7 record and earned the first of his three Pro Bowl selections. He threw 20 touchdown passes, accumulated 3,398 passing yards, and finished second in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

Dalton followed his impressive rookie season with four straight seasons of 10 or more wins. Over his first five years in the NFL, he recorded a 50-26-1 record and started every game during his first four seasons. Even in 2016, when the Bengals finished with a 6-9-1 record—his first losing season—Dalton still earned a Pro Bowl selection after throwing for 4,206 yards and 18 touchdown passes. During his nine seasons with the Bengals, Dalton compiled a record of 70-61-2, compared to Esiason’s 62-61 record over ten years. Dalton completed 62.0% of his passes, while Esiason finished with 56.5%. Dalton holds the franchise record for the most touchdown passes, with 204, and his 31,594 passing yards rank second in team history, just behind Ken Anderson.

• 3 Time Pro Bowler

Redemption: Andy Dalton 2015 Highlights

2. Ken Anderson

One of the most significant omissions from the Pro Football Hall of Fame for any franchise and any era is Ken Anderson. He was a first-ballot inductee into the team’s Ring of Honor and an obvious choice for the top spot on this list. Anderson’s career statistics are truly impressive—he is the franchise leader in passing yards (32,838) and wins (91) and ranks second in touchdowns (197). However, to fully appreciate what a great quarterback he was, it’s essential to look at his year-by-year performances.

The third-round pick out of Augustana College led the league in passing yards for two consecutive seasons (1974-1975). The only quarterbacks to achieve this feat in back-to-back years are Dan Fouts, Dan Marino, Warren Moon, and Drew Brees. Three of these are already in the Hall of Fame, and Brees will likely be inducted when eligible. Throughout his career, Anderson finished in the top five in passing yards five times and placed in the top ten seven times. He also led the league in passer rating four times, a record surpassed only by Steve Young, who achieved it six times in the Super Bowl era. Additionally, Anderson ranked in the top five in touchdown passes five times. In 1981, he won both the NFL MVP and NFL Comeback Player of the Year awards. Moreover, in 1975, he received the Man of the Year Award, which had not yet been named after Walter Payton.

• NFL MVP 1981
• NFL Offensive Player of the Year 1981
• NFL Comeback Player if the Year 1981
• NFL Man of the Year 1975
• 4-Time Pro Bowler
• 2-Time NFL Passing Yards Leader
• 3-Time NFL Completion Percentage Leader
• 4-Time NFL Passing Rating Leader
• Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor

Forgotten Legends: Ken Anderson

1. Joe Burrow

The Bengals selected Joe Burrow with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he has certainly lived up to expectations so far. Burrow led the Bengals to back-to-back AFC Championship games and a Super Bowl appearance in his first four seasons. He was also named to the Pro Bowl and received the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2021. Despite facing significant injury challenges, Burrow has been highly productive in a short amount of time. He currently ranks sixth in total passing yards and fifth in touchdown passes in the team’s history. However, durability has been a concern, as he was limited to just 10 games in two of his four seasons. If he can stay healthy moving forward, Burrow has the potential to establish himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history!.

• NFL Comeback Player of the Year 2021
• 2-Time Pro Bowler
• NFL Passing Yards Leader 2024
• NFL Passing Touchdowns Leader 2024
• NFL Completion Percentage Leader 2021
• NFL All-Time Leader in Career Completion percentage: 68.6%
• NFL All-Time Pass completions per game (career): 25.3

Why Joe Burrow is the NFL MVP | Kurt’s QB Insider