The Cincinnati Bengals have gone to the playoffs nine times in the past 25 seasons and a lot of talented players helped get them there.
As we await to see who the team takes with their first-round pick in the NFL Draft, BetOhio.com has put together the Bengals Quarter-Century Team. We created it using Pro Football Reference’s Approximate Value stat and picking the top player(s) who played from 2000 to 2024.
Position | Player | Years With Team | Approximate Value During Years |
QB | Andy Dalton | 2011-2019 | 100 |
RB | Joe Mixon | 2017-2023 | 57 |
WR | Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson | 2001-2010 | 100 |
WR | AJ Green | 2011-2020 | 85 |
TE | Jermaine Gresham | 2010-2014 | 24 |
OT | Andrew Whitworth | 2006-2016 | 96 |
G | Clint Boling | 2011-2018 | 53 |
C | Rich Braham | 2000-2006 | 36 |
G | Bobbie Williams | 2004-2011 | 57 |
OT | Andre Smith | 2009-2019 | 44 |
Well before Cincinnati Bengals sportsbook promo codes were available in Ohio, this century has been interesting for the Bengals.
It began with the opening of Paul Brown (now Paycor) Stadium. Marvin Lewis brought credibility with his arrival as head coach. Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson helped end a 15-year playoff drought. Years later, Andy Dalton and A.J Green got the Bengals in the postseason in five straight seasons, and in recent years Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins returned the team to the Super Bowl.
Of course, it can also be argued the team eventually became mediocre under Lewis. Palmer forced his way out of town. The team did not win a playoff game in this century until January 2022. Even the recent years have been lowlighted by the consistent early struggles, which have cost the franchise playoff appearances the past two seasons and let down backers at Ohio sportsbooks.
Palmer and Burrow might be more talented, but longevity helped Dalton, who himself was no slouch under center, be the top QB in AV for the Bengals over the past 25 years, according to Pro Football Reference data. There may not be a better receiver tandem among any NFL franchise’s Quarter-Century Team than Ocho and AJ Green. And Andrew Whitworth was a rock on the offensive line.
Burrow led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns last season. Bookmark our Joe Burrow MVP Odds page before this season.
Position | Player | Years With Team | Approximate Value During Years |
DE | Carlos Dunlap | 2010-2020 | 76 |
DT | Geno Atkins | 2010-2020 | 106 |
DT | Domata Peko | 2006-2016 | 77 |
DE | Michael Johnson | 2009-2018 | 60 |
LB | Rey Maualuga | 2009-2016 | 56 |
LB | Vontaze Burfict | 2012-2018 | 49 |
CB | Leon Hall | 2007-2015 | 56 |
S | Reggie Nelson | 2010-2015 | 45 |
S | Jessie Bates III | 2018-2022 | 35 |
CB | Adam “Pacman” Jones | 2010-2017 | 43 |
The Bengals have been better known for offensive players, but they’ve had some very good players on the other side of the ball, too. Will this month’s draft produce a rookie on defense who helps boost Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl odds this season?
It’s not surprising that 10 of the defensive players played at least in part of the five-season postseason run from 2011 to 2015. Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins anchored the defensive line. Burfict might be better known for hits that led to penalties, fines and suspensions, but the undrafted free agent was a second-team All-Pro in 2013.
Jessie Bates, meanwhile, was the top defensive player on the 2021 Bengals squad that was seconds away from winning the team’s first Super Bowl. The defense has not been the same since the team let him leave as a free agent after the 2022 season.
Position | Player | Years With Team | Approximate Value During Years |
K | Shayne Graham | 2003-2009 | 27 |
P | Kevin Huber | 2009-2022 | 31 |
Kevin Huber, a Cincinnati native, holds the team record in games played, with 216. And no full-time kicker in Bengals history has been more accurate than Shayne Graham, who converted 86.8% of his field goals while wearing the stripes.
Will the Bengals return to the playoffs next season? DraftKings Ohio Sportsbook gives Cincinnati odds of +230 to win the AFC North. That’s second only to the Baltimore Ravens, the favorite at -140 as of April 9.
USA Today photo by Bob Donnan.
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
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