Cincinnati Sports News

Cincinnati Sports News

It’s Time to Add Two More Bengals to The Hall of Fame

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As the calendar turns to 2026, there are currently two players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame from the Cincinnati Bengals: Anthony Muñoz (class of 1998) and Ken Riley (class of 2023). There have been plenty of players worthy of enshrinement despite being one of the worst overall programs in NFL history. While some players like Chad Johnson or Corey Dillon, who were fan-favorites and among the elites in their eras, may never be enshrined, there are a few who deserve it.

Geno Atkins did not make the cut, but he may end up in Canton one day. However, the Bengals have one from the modern era and one from the senior/coaches/contributor category. Willie Anderson, the franchise’s stalwart right tackle in a forgettable era, is a finalist once again. Ken Anderson, the franchise’s first MVP and first quarterback to lead the team to a Super Bowl, is once again up for enshrinement.

It’s time for both to get in.

It’s Time to Add Two Bengals to The Hall of Fame

Willlie Anderson, 1996-2007

Right tackles are severely undervalued in the NFL. When you think of all of the Hall of Fame tackles, you’ll likely name off all left tackles. Even if he isn’t protecting the quarterback’s “blindside,” the right tackle position is crucial.

A fantastic follow on Twitter (@BigWillie7179), Anderson has become a voice for the big guys. As a player, Anderson was the best right tackle in the league for the entirety of his career. He helped plow the way for nine running backs’ 1,000-yard seasons. He protected guys like Jeff Blake, Jon Kitna, and Carson Palmer.

Anderson faced phenomenal pass rushers in his time:

Over a three-year period (1999-2001), he didn’t allow a single sack. In his final year (with the Baltimore Ravens), Anderson posted a 90.2 overall PFF grade, good for one of the best single-season grades for a tackle since PFF began grading. Anderson is the only right tackle to get three straight first-team All-Pro nods since the 1970s. Plus, he’s the only offensive tackle on this year’s ballot. Whether that will be a benefit or a detriment remains to be seen.

Big Willie was a semi-finalist for the 2021 class but was passed over again. Despite being the best at his position for over a decade, he is overlooked because his team was atrocious. This is the fifth consecutive time in which Anderson has been named a finalist. His top-seven finish from last year gave him an automatic berth to the finals this year.

Anderson was a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. He was also named to the Pro-Football-Reference second-team All-2000s team, behind Hall of Famers Orlando Pace and Walter Jones, both left tackles.

Ken Anderson, 1971-1986

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson in action early 1980s.
Text Anderson Sports 1 24 96 Ken Anderson Veteran Cincinnati Bengal Quarterback In Action Early 1980 S Cincinnati Enquirer Michael E Keating Mek

#PutKenIn! Kenny Anderson was the face of the Cincinnati Bengals through the ’70s and most of the ’80s. When the Bengals added the Ring of Honor, Anderson was among the first four names honored, alongside Paul Brown, Anthony Muñoz, and Ken Riley, all Hall of Famers.

Anderson led the league in completion percentage (64.9%), yards (2,667 yards), and rating (95.7) in 1974 despite a 7-6 record. He led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1981. Anderson should have earned a ring in that game, but his comeback bid fell just short.

He is likely overlooked because, in his 16 years, the team finished with 10 wins only four times. After that magical Super Bowl run, Anderson never suited up for a full season of football.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In terms of Cincinnati, Anderson remains head and shoulders above all others. He won the most games (91), passed for the most yards (32,828), the most pass attempts (4,475), second in completions (2,654), and second in touchdowns (197). He’s also second in PFR’s Approximate Value with 160 behind Muñoz, and ahead of Riley (133).

He has a steep hill to climb. A maximum of three finalists can make the Hall of Fame from the senior/coaches/contributor category, and he’s up against Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick, L.C. Greenwood, and Roger Craig.

Regardless, the Hall of Fame needs to induct both Andersons from the Bengals. It’s amazing that it’s taken this long. If either player had one or three stars on the side of their helmets instead of stripes, they would have already been in.