Ranking the Best Cincinnati Bengals Players of All Time

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Anthony Muñoz announces a Cincinnati Bengals draft pick
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Colton Pool @CPoolReporter Nov 10, 2022, 3:40 PM
  • Only one Hall of Famer has played his entire career with the Bengals.
  • Two Bengals have won MVP awards.

As of Nov. 9, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow is in the top 10 for NFL odds to win the MVP award at +2500. But he wouldn’t be the first Bengals quarterback to earn that honor, nor would he even be the second.

The history of the franchise doesn’t include much team success, and only one Hall of Famer played his entire career in Cincinnati. But many stars, including two MVP winners, have competed for the team.

Here’s a look at some of the greatest Bengals ever.

Ranking the Best Cincinnati Bengals Players of All Time

RankPlayerPositionYears
1Anthony MuñozOT1980-92
2Ken AndersonQB1971-86
3Boomer EsiasonQB1984-92, 1997
4Chad JohnsonWR2001-10
5Ken RileyDB1969-83
6Tim KrumrieDL1983-94
7Cris CollinsworthWR1981-88
8Isaac CurtisWR1973-84
9Corey DillonRB1997-2003
10Jim BreechK1980-92

10. Jim Breech

Kicker Jim Breech owns the Bengals all-time record with 1,151 points. During his time with Cincinnati, he made 225 of 313 field goals and 476 of 494 extra points.

9. Corey Dillon

Corey Dillon is the Bengals’ all-time rushing leader with 8,061 yards. The running back, who made the Pro Bowl four times, is also third with 45 rushing touchdowns. 

8. Isaac Curtis

Bengals wide receiver Isaac Curtis made the Pro Bowl on four occasions. He’s third on the franchise’s all-time receiving list with 7,101 yards, behind only another member of this list and AJ Green, who is still playing but totaled 9,430 yards during his Cincinnati tenure.

7. Cris Collinsworth

Cris Collinsworth isn’t as high on Cincinnati’s all-time receiving list, as he’s fifth with 6,698 yards and sixth with 417 receptions, but he did that in only eight seasons. He made an impact quickly, earning a Pro Bowl nod each of his first three years in the league.

6. Tim Krumrie

Tim Krumrie is among the greatest defensive tackles in franchise history. In 188 games played, he totaled 1,017 tackles, 34.5 sacks and 13 fumble recoveries on the way to two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro selection. 

5. Ken Riley

Ken Riley is the highest defender on this list. In 207 games with the Bengals, the one-time All-Pro defensive back is first on the Bengals all-time interceptions list with 65, which is 32 more than anyone else.

4. Chad Johnson

As Chad Johnson or Chad Ochocinco, the wide receiver was among the best at his position during his time. The six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro is first in the franchise record books for receiving yards (10,783) and catches (751).

3. Boomer Esiason

Boomer Esiason is one of the MVP (1988) quarterbacks who played for the Bengals. He’s third in franchise history in passing yards (27,149) and touchdowns (187) and accumulated four Pro Bowl and one All-Pro accolades.

2. Ken Anderson

Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson was the NFL MVP in 1981 and was an All-Pro that year while earning Pro Bowl recognition in four seasons. He’s also the franchise leader in passing yards (32,838) and is second in passing touchdowns (197).

1. Anthony Muñoz

Offensive tackle Anthony Muñoz is the only Hall of Famer who played his entire career with Cincinnati. He earned 11 Pro Bowl nods and nine All-Pro selections during his 13 seasons and 185 games played.

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About the Author

Colton Pool

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Colton Pool is a Web Content Writer for BetMGM living in Bozeman, Montana, focusing on the NFL and NBA. Previously, he covered Montana State football at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and worked at newspapers in his home state of North Dakota. He graduated from North Dakota State in 2015.

Colton Pool is a Web Content Writer for BetMGM living in Bozeman, Montana, focusing on the NFL and NBA. Previously, he covered Montana State football at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and worked at newspapers in his home state of North Dakota. He graduated from North Dakota State in 2015.