Each NFL team’s QB we expected better from
By Brad Weiss
Cincinnati Bengals: David Klingler
David Klingler was an elite collegiate quarterback, setting numerous records during his time at the University of Houston. With prototypical NFL size, Klingler was an obvious choice as a first rounder in the 1992 NFL Draft, where the Cincinnati Bengals selected him with the No. 6 overall pick in the first round.
During his time at Houston, Klingler put up video game numbers, including throwing for over 700 yards in a single game on one occasion, and 11 touchdowns in another game. The 1990 winner of the Sammy Baugh Award, he finished his college career with 91 touchdown passes, and even made a run at the Heisman Trophy once.
Unfortunately for the Bengals, Klingler would not have the kind of success he had with the Cougars at the NFL level, and he would spend only four seasons with the organization. The team’s starter in 1993 and 1994, Klingler’s career was ravaged by injuries, including ones to his elbow and shoulder, and it eventually robbed him of his arm strength.
Klingler was out of the Bengals organization by 1996, and after a two-year stint with the Oakland Raiders, he eventually made a quiet exit out of the pro game. Had he not suffered such devastating injuries, he likely would have had a solid NFL career, but instead, he was replaced by Jeff Blake in Year No. 3.