It’s NFL Thursday once again, and with offseason news in real time dominating the sports headlines, is there any doubt which professional sport reigns supreme in North America? Nope. It’s football, and we’re back today with a look at the best players in Cincinnati Bengals history. The team has lost 3 Super Bowls without winning an NFL title since it joined the fray in 1968 as an AFL expansion team. The players? Better.

No. 10: Reggie Williams, LB—96 AV (1976-1989)

A third-round draft pick, he never made a Pro Bowl in his long career, all with the Bengals. Yet he was consistently solid on defense, posting between 7-10 AV in 9 of his 14 seasons. He led the NFL in fumble recoveries once (1982) while posting 63.5 sacks and 16 interceptions as well. In three postseasons, he added 3 more sacks as he helped Cincinnati reach the Super Bowl in 1981 and 1988. With some luck, he’d have a ring.

No. 9: Andrew Whitworth, T/G—96 AV (2006-2016)

Definitely the most anonymous player on this list, as offensive linemen often are, he made 3 Pro Bowls (2012, 2015, 2016) with the Bengals after being the No. 55 pick overall in the draft. He peaked at age 34 in 2015 with 16 AV, but in his Cincy tenure, the team was 0-6 in the postseason, losing in the wild-card round every time. It was hardly Whitworth’s fault, of course; it was just a trying time in organizational history.

No. 8: Chad Johnson, WR—100 AV (2001-2010)

He was like a comet across the NFL after being picked 36th overall in the draft, making 6 Pro Bowls (2003-2007, 2009), and leading the league in receiving yards once (2006). Sadly, he played in just 2 playoff games for Cincinnati, without scoring a TD despite scoring 66 times during the regular season across his Bengals career. Yet he still averaged 75 receptions a season while in the team’s uniform and was very entertaining.

No. 7: Andy Dalton, QB—100 AV (2011-2019)

After being picked in the second round, he went on to post a 70-61-2 record as a starter for the Bengals in the regular season, but he will be remembered instead for his 0-4 record as a starter in the postseason. He made 3 Pro Bowls (2011, 2014, 2016), and he topped the NFL in 4th-quarter comebacks (3) in 2017. He also registered a 106.2 QB rating during the 2015 season, which was his career best. History can be cruel, though.

No. 6: Geno Atkins, DT—106 AV (2010-2020)

A 4th-round pick, he paid off handsomely for the Bengals: 8 Pro Bowls (2011-2012, 2014-2020) and 75.5 sacks in the regular season. He contributed 2.5 sacks in 4 playoff games, too, although Cincinnati didn’t win any of those games. He peaked with 18 AV in both 2012 and 2015, and overall, he notched 6 seasons of double-digit AV. Not bad for the No. 120 overall draftee, eh? The dude was a beast and should be in Canton.

No. 5: Boomer Esiason, QB—107 AV (1984-1992, 1997)

He won the 1988 NFL MVP vote after being the No. 38 overall pick in the draft; he also made 3 Pro Bowls in a 4-year span (1986, 1988-1989) although his regular-season record with the Bengals was just 62-61. He was 3-2 in the postseason, though, with the Super Bowl XXIII appearance on his slate. He topped his peers in QB rating once (1988) before then “leading” them in INTs just 2 seasons later. A mixed bag, for sure, but popular.

No. 4: Willie Anderson, T—112 AV (1996-2007)

The No. 10 overall pick, he somewhat justified the selection with 4 Pro Bowls (2003-2006) in his prime years and 5 seasons of double-digit AV in his Bengals tenure (1997, 2003-2006). However, this was a dry stretch for the franchise, as he played in just 1 postseason game (2005) as the Cincinnati organization went 20 seasons without a playoff victory (1991-2020). This would hurt anyone’s chances of making Canton, too.

No. 3: Ken Riley, CB—133 AV (1969-1983)

The rare case of a player who made the Hall of Fame without ever being selected to the Pro Bowl, he was a sixth rounder who stuck in the league for 15 seasons with the same team. He totaled 65 INTs in his regular-season career, while posting double-digit AV in 1975, 1976, and 1983. He certainly went out on top, too! He added 3 INTs in 7 playoff games as well. He’s one of only 2 players here to play for the legendary Paul Brown.

No. 2: Ken Anderson, QB—160 AV (1971-1986)

Twice, we named him our NFL MVP (1981–1982), so that should tell you all you need to know here. He topped the NFL in QB rating 4 times (1975-1976, 1981-1982), led his peers in completion percentage thrice (1974, 1982-1983), and threw for the most yards twice (1974-1975). He should be in the Hall of Fame, and we’re shocked he’s not as the second player here to play under Brown with Cincinnati. He was a QB artist, literally.

No. 1: Anthony Muñoz, T—181 AV (1980-1992)

Perhaps the best offensive lineman in the history of the sport, his AV average from 1981-1990 was 16.2 AV per season. He justified his selection as the No. 3 overall pick by making 11 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1981-1991, as well, and anchoring the line on its way to 2 Super Bowl appearances. Interestingly enough, he also caught 4 TDs in his career. He missed just 3 regular-season games in his 13-year NFL career, as well. Boom.