The Cincinnati Bengals recently drafted Joe Burrow with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The LSU product became the fifth quarterback taken by Cincinnati in the first-round since 1970. Only one of those first-round selections turned into a reliable starter. However, Burrow can add his name to that shortlist after only a few seasons.
Cincinnati boasts a stable of solid quarterbacks who experienced mixed success during their careers with the Bengals. It won't take long for Burrow to crack the top-five, but the 23-year-old might never surpass the greatest quarterback in franchise history.
5. Jeff Blake (1994-1999)
Unlike the other quarterbacks on this list, Blake wasn't drafted by the Bengals. Instead, the New York Jets selected him with a sixth-round pick in 1992. Eventually, Blake made his way to Cincinnati.
In 1994, Blake made nine starts for the Bengals. The following season, he went 7-9 as a starter and made the Pro Bowl. While Blake went 8-8 in 1996, he never statistically replicated his 1995 season.
Blake only started 13 games between 1997 and 1998. He did earn most of Cincinnati's starts in 1999 but departed the following offseason. Blake never led the Bengals to the playoffs.
4. Carson Palmer (2003-2010)
In 2003, the Bengals used the first overall pick on Palmer. The USC product didn't see any playing time during his rookie season, but Palmer took over as the starter in 2004.
During his eight seasons in Cincinnati, Palmer made two playoff starts. They both ended in Wild Card Round losses for the Bengals. With frustrations reaching a boiling point, Cincinnati traded Palmer to the Oakland Raiders. Palmer left the team that drafted him with a 46-51 regular season record.
3. Andy Dalton (2011-2019)
Cincinnati jumped on Dalton when he fell to the second round in 2011. During his nine years with the Bengals, Dalton made three Pro Bowls and four playoff trips. Unfortunately, he never won a playoff game with Cincinnati.
After drafting Burrow, the Bengals released Dalton this offseason. He signed a one-year deal with Dallas, hoping to reclaim a starting role next year.
Dalton never won any major awards, but he became one of the most consistent quarterbacks during the past decade. His 70 wins as a starter and 31,594 passing yards rank second in franchise history. Dalton holds the franchise record with 204 passing touchdowns.
2. Boomer Esiason (1984-1992, 1997)
The Bengals drafted Esiason with a second-round pick in 1984. The Maryland product sat behind a veteran for his rookie season before taking over the starting role. Esiason spent the first nine seasons of his career in Cincinnati before departing for New York. He returned for the final season of his career in 1997.
Esiason made the plays twice as Cincinnati's starter. In 1988, he led the Bengals on a tear. They went 12-4, and Esiason claimed the league MVP award and a First-Team All-Pro selection. Cincinnati clawed its way to the Super Bowl before Joe Montana's San Francisco 49ers ended the team's championship hopes. Esiason played poorly in the Super Bowl, completing 11 of his 25 pass attempts for 144 yards and one interception.
Esiason brought Cincinnati back to the playoffs in 1990, but his team didn't get past the Divisional Round. Esiason's 62 wins as a starter, 27,149 passing yards, and 187 passing touchdowns all rank third in franchise history.
1. Ken Anderson (1971-1986)
In 1971, the Bengals drafted Anderson in the third round. Despite not being a high-round selection or coming from a prominent college, Anderson became the team's starter in his second season. He didn't lose the starting job until 1985.
Anderson earned a First-Team All-Pro selection and won the league MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards in 1981. He won the Comeback Player of the Year award too, which the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) gave out. That postseason, Anderson skillfully guided the 12-4 Bengals past the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers.
Unfortunately, Cincinnati ran into Montana's 49ers in the Super Bowl. Anderson threw for 300 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the 21-26 loss.
Anderson got Cincinnati back to the playoffs the following year, but the Bengals lost in the Wild Card Round. He never started another playoff game.
Anderson finished his career with four Pro Bowl selections. He's Cincinnati's all-time leader in passing yards and wins by a quarterback.
After leading the NFL in completion percentage three times, yards twice, and passer rating four times, Anderson has a borderline Hall of Fame résumé.
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