Most Career Passing Yards by a Cincinnati Bengals Player
The Bengals’ quarterback legacy has always been quietly underrated. Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason once led the team to Super Bowls, Andy Dalton kept them playoff-relevant for a decade, and Joe Burrow is now rewriting the script in real time. From the 1970s to today, Cincinnati has seen it all under center — and the numbers prove it.
TOP 10 LIST
10. Turk Schonert – 2,756 Yards
Mostly a backup, Schonert filled in admirably when needed during the 1980s. He carved out a role as a solid spot-starter and team-first veteran.
9. Virgil Carter – 3,850 Yards
Carter was the starter before Ken Anderson took over. Though his time was short, he played an important role in the team’s early identity.
8. David Klingler – 3,880 Yards
Drafted to be the savior, Klingler struggled behind a weak offensive line and never found his footing — but still logged enough time to make the top 10.
7. Jon Kitna – 10,707 Yards
A bridge quarterback in the early 2000s, Kitna provided stability while the Bengals transitioned between eras. He was gritty, reliable, and underrated.
6. Jeff Blake – 15,134 Yards
Blake had one of the prettiest deep balls in the NFL and brought excitement to Cincinnati in the mid-90s. He made a Pro Bowl and gave the Bengals a much-needed spark.
5. Joe Burrow – 19,001 Yards
Still early in his career, Burrow has already led the Bengals to a Super Bowl and is on pace to shatter franchise records. Cool under pressure and deadly accurate, his ceiling is sky-high.
4. Carson Palmer – 22,694 Yards
Palmer brought big-time potential and delivered with multiple playoff appearances. Injuries slowed his trajectory, but his arm talent was never in question.
3. Boomer Esiason – 27,149 Yards
The 1988 NFL MVP and Super Bowl QB, Esiason led one of the most dangerous offenses of his era. He remains one of the most beloved Bengals ever.
2. Andy Dalton – 31,594 Yards
Dalton quietly put together a consistent and productive decade in Cincinnati, leading the team to five straight playoff appearances. Often underrated, his stats speak for themselves.
1. Ken Anderson – 32,838 Yards
A franchise icon, Anderson led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl and was one of the most accurate passers of his generation. He held the record for over 40 years — and remains the bar Burrow is chasing.
Ranking the 10 best single-game passing yard performances in Cincinnati Bengals history
Top 50 Single-Game Passing Performances in Bengals History
This chart shows every Bengals player to record 300+ passing yards in a single game, including standout games from Joe Burrow, Boomer Esiason, and Ken Anderson.
| Rank | Player Name | Passing Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ken Anderson | 32838 |
| 2 | Andy Dalton | 31594 |
| 3 | Boomer Esiason | 27149 |
| 4 | Carson Palmer | 22694 |
| 5 | Joe Burrow | 19001 |
| 6 | Jeff Blake | 15134 |
| 7 | Jon Kitna | 10707 |
| 8 | David Klingler | 3880 |
| 9 | Virgil Carter | 3850 |
| 10 | Turk Schonert | 2756 |
| 11 | Neil O’Donnell | 2216 |
| 12 | Akili Smith | 2212 |
| 13 | Jack Thompson | 2072 |
| 14 | Jake Browning | 1936 |
| 15 | Ryan Fitzpatrick | 1905 |
| 16 | Greg Cook | 1865 |
| 17 | Sam Wyche | 1743 |
| 18 | John Reaves | 1546 |
| 19 | Brandon Allen | 1096 |
| 20 | Scott Mitchell | 1004 |
| 21 | Jeff Driskel | 1003 |
| 22 | AJ McCarron | 939 |
| 23 | Erik Wilhelm | 912 |
| 24 | John Stofa | 896 |
| 25 | Jay Schroeder | 832 |
| 26 | Donald Hollas | 645 |
| 27 | Ryan Finley | 638 |
| 28 | Dewey Warren | 506 |
| 29 | Gus Frerotte | 437 |
| 30 | Paul Justin | 426 |
| 31 | Mohamed Sanu | 177 |
| 32 | Bruce Gradkowski | 174 |
| 33 | Eric Kresser | 164 |
| 34 | Dave Walter | 113 |
| 35 | Wayne Clark | 98 |
| 36 | Tyler Boyd | 85 |
| 37 | Pat McInally | 81 |
| 38 | Jason Campbell | 74 |
| 39 | Jordan Palmer | 59 |
| 40 | Dave Lewis | 57 |
| 41 | Darnay Scott | 53 |
| 42 | JT O’Sullivan | 40 |
| 43 | Archie Griffin | 39 |
| 44 | Stan Fritts | 31 |
| 45 | Anthony Wright | 31 |
| 46 | Doug Gaynor | 30 |
| 47 | Alex Erickson | 26 |
| 48 | Ben Bennett | 25 |
| 49 | Fred Willis | 24 |
| 50 | Scott Covington | 23 |
Ken Anderson’s grip on the top spot has lasted decades, but Joe Burrow is coming — fast. The Bengals’ QB history features a surprising amount of talent, from MVPs to steady veterans. With Burrow at the helm for the foreseeable future, this leaderboard is due for a shake-up.
FAQ SECTION
Who holds the Bengals record for most career passing yards?
Ken Anderson leads all Bengals quarterbacks with 32,838 passing yards.
Is Joe Burrow already in the top 5?
Yes — Joe Burrow ranks 5th with 19,001 yards and is quickly climbing the list.
Are any MVPs on the list?
Yes — Boomer Esiason won NFL MVP in 1988 and ranks 3rd in franchise passing yards.
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