Cincinnati Bengals all-time Mount Rushmore

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 13: Ken Anderson #14 of Cincinnati Bengals drops back to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL football game December 13, 1981 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Anderson played for the Bengals from 1971-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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PONTIAC, MI – JANUARY 24: Quarterback Ken Anderson #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals stands behind center during Super Bowl XVI against the San Francisco 49ers at the Pontiac Silverdome on January 24, 1982 in Pontiac, Michigan, near Detroit. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 26-21. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

QB Ken Anderson

The Bengals have had their share of standout quarterbacks over the years.

The franchise recently parted ways with nine-year veteran Andy Dalton, who helped lead the team to five straight playoff appearances. He played in four postseason games under head coach Marvin Lewis and is the club’s all-time leader in TD passes (204). The former Texas Tech standout is now a member of the Dallas Cowboys.

There was 2003 first overall pick Carson Palmer, a two-time Pro Bowler with Cincinnati who also led the team to the playoffs in 2005 and ’09. Boomer Esiason was a second-round draft choice in 1984 and four years later had the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII.

But most of all, there was quarterback Ken Anderson. A third-round selection from Augustana in 1971, the 16-year pro still holds the Bengals’ record for career passing yardage (32,838), throwing for 197 scores (160 interceptions) while earning four Pro Bowl invitations and one All-Pro nod. He was the NFL’s MVP in 1981, a year in which he took the franchise to Super Bowl XVI.

Anderson is a name often discussed when it comes to Pro Football Hall of Fame omissions. He certainly has the credentials and perhaps his time will come one day soon.

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