Ken Anderson
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Ken Anderson Legacy
HEYTC AIKen Anderson Rating Breakdown
Ken Anderson Career Stats via Wikipedia
Ken Anderson Career Timeline
HEYTC AI2024 1
Enshrined in Bengals Ring of Honor
The Bengals honored Anderson with induction into their Ring of Honor, celebrating his unmatched loyalty and the precise, cerebral play that defined a generation.
1990 1
Retires as Bengals Legend
After 16 seasons exclusively with Cincinnati (158 games, 91-81 record), Anderson retired as the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards (32,838), TDs (197), and wins. a benchmark still revered today.
1986 1
Injured, Misses Playoff Push
A major thumb injury sidelined Anderson late in the season, contributing to the Bengals' missing the playoffs despite a strong start.
1985 1
Comeback Player of the Year
Bouncing back from injury setbacks, Anderson won NFL Comeback Player of the Year, throwing for 3,661 yards and 24 TDs while leading Cincy to the playoffs.
1985-86 1
Signs Extension with Bengals
Anderson inked a multi-year contract extension with the Bengals, committing to the only franchise he'd ever know through the twilight of his Hall of Fame-caliber career.
1983 1
Fifth Pro Bowl Selection
Anderson added his fifth Pro Bowl nod with 3,054 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, solidifying his reputation as one of the league's premier pocket passers.
1982 1
Pro Bowl in Strike-Shortened Season
In the nine-game strike season, Anderson made his fourth Pro Bowl after passing for 2,495 yards and 12 TDs, maintaining his elite status.
1981 2
Third Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro
Amid the Super Bowl run, Anderson earned his third Pro Bowl selection and Second-Team All-Pro honors for his leadership and efficiency under center.
Leads Bengals to Super Bowl XVI
Anderson threw for 2,754 yards and 20 TDs, securing the Bengals' first Super Bowl appearance with playoff wins over Buffalo and San Diego before a 26-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XVI.
1980 1
NFL MVP and Record-Setting Season
Anderson won NFL MVP honors, leading the Bengals to a 10-6 record and their first AFC Central title with league-leading stats: 3,839 yards, 29 TDs, 61.0% completion, and a 95.4 passer rating.
1976 1
Second Pro Bowl and All-Pro Honors
Anderson was selected to his second Pro Bowl and earned First-Team All-Pro recognition after a stellar season with 2,638 yards, 21 TDs, and a league-leading 61.2% completion rate.
1975 1
First Playoff Berth
Anderson guided the Bengals to their first playoff appearance, a wild-card loss to the Oakland Raiders, completing 64.5% of his passes for 3,169 yards and 22 TDs.
1974 1
First Pro Bowl Selection
Anderson earned his first Pro Bowl nod after throwing for 2,667 yards and 10 touchdowns, helping the Bengals to an 8-6 finish.
1973 1
Takes Over as Bengals Starting QB
Anderson became the full-time starter for Cincinnati, leading the team to a 10-4 record and marking the beginning of his tenure as the franchise's cornerstone signal-caller.
1971 2
Signs Rookie Contract with Bengals
Anderson signed his rookie contract with the Bengals and began his professional career as a backup quarterback behind Virgil Carter during his debut season.
Drafted by Bengals
Ken Anderson was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals as a third-round pick (#67 overall) in the 1971 NFL Draft out of the University of Cincinnati.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ken Anderson
How does Joe Burrow compare to Ken Anderson?
Joe Burrow's arrived with the hype machine in overdrive, but Anderson's 1981 season—3,754 yards, 29 TDs, 10 INTs, and an MVP—remains the gold standard for Bengals QB excellence. Burrow's got the arm talent and swagger, yet Anderson's cerebral precision and four passing titles across two decades represent a different era of mastery. Time will tell if Burrow's championship aspirations eclipse Anderson's legacy.
Is Ken Anderson in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Anderson's Hall of Fame snub remains one of Canton's most glaring oversights. Four Pro Bowls, an MVP, four passing titles, and a Super Bowl appearance should've secured his bust, but the lack of a championship and playing during the "Dead Ball Era" worked against him—a cautionary tale about how era context can unfairly penalize brilliant quarterbacks.
What is Ken Anderson doing now in 2026?
The search results don't provide current 2026 information about Anderson's activities. Based on available data, he's worked as a quarterback coach (most recently with Jacksonville through at least the mid-2000s) and held various Bengals coaching positions, but I cannot confirm his specific role or endeavors in January 2026 without current sources.
How would Ken Anderson perform in today's NFL?
Anderson would thrive in today's pass-happy NFL. His pinpoint accuracy, quick decision-making, and cerebral pocket-passing style translate perfectly to modern schemes—he led the league in passer rating four times despite the run-dominant era he played in. Give him current rule protections and spacing, and his efficiency numbers would be genuinely eye-popping.
How does Ken Anderson compare to Boomer Esiason?
Anderson edges Esiason in the quarterback hierarchy, and the numbers back it up. Anderson's 81.9 rating versus Boomer's 81.5 tells part of the story, but Anderson's four passing titles and MVP trump Esiason's one Super Bowl ring. Both defined Cincinnati excellence, but Anderson's precision and consistency made him the superior technician.