As we anticipate the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, many fans reminisce about the glory days of the respective franchises. Even more so, how can their team get back to their past glories? That brings us to the question: who brought the Cincinnati Bengals to that place in the past? Who are some of the greatest players who set the bar for the current squad that we have now? Good question. So, for this week’s edition, we’ll look at some of the best Bengals to lace up a pair of cleats. Let’s look at the five greatest Bengals players of all time.
A.J. Green
Bengals WR AJ Green (18) – Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
First on our “Five Greatest Players” list is former Bengal wide receiver A.J. Green. Green hailed from the University of Georgia. He joined the Bengals as a first-round, fourth-selection draft pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. In his lengthy tenure with the squad, Green accumulated 9,430 yards receiving, 649 receptions, and 65 touchdowns. Green spent ten seasons with Cincinnati. While there, he positioned himself as the second in the franchise’s history with the most receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards. Green got traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021, where he still plays.
Boomer Esiason
Bengals QB Boomer Esiason (7) – Bob Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports
The Bengals are typically known for their strength in the quarterback department. As of late, that has all changed. But when was the last time Cincinnati was dominant under center? That brings us to our next choice in our “Five Greatest Players” list: Boomer Esiason. Esiason came within three minutes of leading Cincinnati to their first Super Bowl. But alas, Joe Montana had other plans and thwarted those plans via a legendary 92-yard drive to lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl XXIII victory. Despite this, Esiason still constructed a stellar career. He played 134 games, threw for 27,149 yards, and is part of the team’s Hall of Fame.
Isaac Curtis
Bengals WR Isaac Curtis (85) -George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Next on our top 5 list is another famous wideout, Isaac Curtis. Curtis is a member of the Bengals.com Hall of Fame, mainly for his 7,101 receiving yards on 416 catches! Curtis played 12 years for the Bengals and finished his legendary career with the team, racking up 53 career touchdown receptions. According to Bleacher Report, the wide receiver not only stood as the second all-time leader in receiving yards for Cincinnati but is arguably the greatest Bengal receiver of time. No wonder he makes the “Five Greatest Bengals Players of all-time list.
Anthony Munoz
Former Bengals OT Anthony Munoz (78) – Getty Images Studios/Getty Images
This is arguably the most famous Bengal and the only Hall of Fame inductee to make our “Five Greatest Players” list. That is the infamous offensive tackle Anthony Munoz. Hailing from Ontario, California, and a former USC Trojan, Munoz started a staggering 185 games for the Bengals for a decade (1980-1992). He spearheaded a solid offensive line that led the 1988 Bengals to the Super Bowl and appeared in 11 straight Pro Bowls. To add to his legend, Munoz is a nine-time All-Pro and a 1991 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Chad Johnson
Former Bengals WR Chad Johnson (85)-Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
And finally, maybe not the greatest but certainly the most well-known Bengal of all time, Chad Johnson (a/k/a Chad Johnson). Johnson was drafted from Oregon State in the second round of the NFL Draft to Cincinnati. In his time with the Bengals, Johnson had 751 receptions, 10,783 receiving yards, and 66 touchdowns. Johnson got traded to the New England Patriots, where they released him after one year. While incredible on the field, Johnson was most well-known for his larger-than-life personality. While hated by some for his antics, no one could deny his ability to be a playmaker.
