Cincinnati Bengals - Decyfr Sport

ONE

The Cincinnati Bengals’ history begins with another NFL team that plays in the state of Ohio. The Cleveland Browns were named after their first head coach and general manager, Paul Brown, who was fired by the team in 1963. By 1965, Brown was desperate to make a return to football. So, in 1967, the American Football League (AFL) awarded him and his group of investors a franchise. Brown named his team the Bengals, a name used by previous professional football franchises in Cincinnati. The team’s first season came in 1968, with Brown serving as both head coach and general manager.

Old Cincinnati Bengals Logo

TWO

The Bengals fought for a full merger between the AFL and the NFL - wanting three NFL teams to move over from the NFL into the AFC, and that soon happened. Cincinnati, and the other AFL teams, were joined by the NFL's Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers - so Paul Brown would face-off against his former team twice a year in the ‘Battle of Ohio’. Cincinnati made their first-ever playoff appearance after the 1970 season, and in the seventies, assistant coach Bill Walsh perfected his soon-to-be iconic ‘West Coast Offense’.

Bill Walsh, Assistant Coach 1968-1975

THREE

Paul Brown retired from coaching after the 1975 season. After two other coaches then experienced short-lived spells in Cincinnati, Forrest Gregg was hired ahead of the 1980 season. In the 1980 NFL Draft, the Bengals drafted offensive tackle Anthony Munoz third overall - who not only became one of the greatest offensive linemen of all time, but the first Bengal to ever be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Entering 1981 with brand new uniforms complete with their now-famous tiger stripes, Cincinnati advanced all the way to Super Bowl XVI behind quarterback Ken Anderson, Munoz and receiver Cris Collinsworth. At the Super Bowl, the Bengals faced none other than Bill Walsh and the San Francisco 49ers - who ran the offense Walsh had developed in Ohio. Despite a second-half push from Cincinnati, San Francisco won, 26-21. Gregg left Cincinnati two seasons after their Super Bowl loss, and was replaced by former Bengals quarterback, Sam Wyche. The team then selected quarterback Boomer Esiason in the second round in 1984 - who, alongside Ken Anderson, battled for the starting quarterback spot - with Esiason winning the job in 1985. Anderson eventually retired following the 1986 season, owning every major franchise passing record.

Anthony Munoz, Offensive Tackle 1980-1992

FOUR

After a disappointing 4-11 season in 1987, Sam Wyche used the 1988 season to perfect his ‘Hurry Up’ offense - designed to tire out opposing defenders. The system turned Esiason into league MVP, as Cincinnati ended the year 12-4 - defeating the Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills to reach Super Bowl XXIII. For the second time that decade, the Bengals took on the Bill Walsh-led San Francisco 49ers. In a tight game, the Bengals led 16-13 with just over three minutes remaining. However, 49ers quarterback Joe Montana orchestrated a famous drive that resulted in him throwing the game-winning touchdown pass with just 34 seconds left.

Boomer Esiason, Quarterback 1984-1992, 1997

FIVE

After their appearance in Super Bowl XXIII, the Bengals made the playoffs just once in the following 16 seasons. Paul Brown died in 1991, and his son, Mike, officially took over as owner, general manager, and chief executive. Alongside struggling to find a successor to Sam Wyche - who left after the 1991 season - Mike Brown also formed a reputation for drafting players who failed to perform, such as running back Ki-Jana Carter in 1995 and quarterback Akili Smith in 1999. After a disappointing decade in the ‘90s, the early 2000s only saw an increase in the number of losses for the Bengals. The team finished with just two wins in the 2002 season. However, they did gain a new head coach, and the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Akili Smith, Quarterback 1999-2002

SIX

Despite being selected first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft, quarterback Carson Palmer didn’t play a game for the Bengals and new head coach Marvin Lewis, in the 2003 season. However, in 2005, Palmer formed a formidable partnership with wide receiver Chad (Ochocinco) Johnson, and the two were voted to the Pro Bowl as the Bengals made their first playoff appearance since the 1990 season. In the Wild Card Round, Cincinnati took on the Pittsburgh Steelers but lost 31-17 after Palmer suffered a serious knee injury. The quarterback returned to play every game in the 2006 season, but the Bengals made just one more playoff appearance with Palmer on the team.

Chad Ochocinco, Wide Receiver 2001-2010

SEVEN

Carson Palmer demanded a trade from the Bengals following the 2010 season, so in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, the team selected quarterback Andy Dalton to go alongside wide receiver A.J. Green - drafted fourth overall. With Green and Dalton at the helm, the Bengals traded Ochocinco to the New England Patriots and eventually sent Palmer to the Oakland Raiders. The duo, boosted by the play of Cincinnati’s defense and especially defensive tackle Geno Atkins, led Cincinnati to five-straight playoff appearances from 2011 to 2015 - although they lost in the Wild Card Round every single time.

Andy Dalton, Quarterback 2011-2019

EIGHT

Marvin Lewis left Cincinnati following the 2018 season with more wins (131) than any other Bengals head coach - being replaced by Zac Taylor, who lost his first 11 games in charge. The Bengals ended the 2019 season with a 2-14 record - earning the first overall pick in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft. With the team preparing to select LSU sensation Joe Burrow first overall, Andy Dalton was released. That season, Burrow impressed from the very start, but his season was cut short. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 11, and the team finished with just four wins. As a result, they drafted Burrow’s ex-college teammate, receiver Ja’Marr Chase, fifth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Joe Burrow, Quarterback 2020-Present

NINE

Joe Burrow made a full recovery, and he - with help from Ja’Marr Chase - took the NFL by storm in 2021. The young quarterback led the Bengals to their first playoff win since the days of Sam Wyche and Boomer Esiason. Then, thanks to multiple last-second victories, the Bengals advanced to Super Bowl LVI. However, it was the Los Angeles Rams who triumphed, leaving with a 23-20 victory. Cincinnati made another appearance in the AFC Championship Game the following year, but were unable to reach the Super Bowl. After another season-ending injury for Burrow practically destroyed their hopes of reaching the playoffs in 2023, the Bengals now turn their attention to the 2024 season - looking to capitalise on the explosiveness of Chase and Tee Higgins.

Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, Wide Receiver 2021-Present

BEFORE YOU GO

Bengals fans are known for the "Who Dey" chant, which is often heard during games: "Who Dey, Who Dey, Who Dey think gonna beat them Bengals?” This chant has become a rallying cry for the team and their supporters.

According to Forbes, the Cincinnati Bengals were valued at $3.5 billion in 2023.

The team’s name was chosen through a fan contest, with “Bengals” being the winning entry. The name pays homage to the Bengal Tiger, known for its strength, agility, and fierce nature.