Just the other day I wrote an article ranking every Bengals QB throughout its history. Ken Anderson sits on top of that group edging out Boomer Esiason, Greg Cook, Carson Palmer and Andy Dalton. I know a lot of minds immediately went to Joe Burrow and where he might end up. Mine did because like all other rabid fans I am unhealthily obsessed with Joe Burrow right now. So what does Burrow need to do to be considered the Cincinnati Bengals GOAT? Let’s take a look:
Ken Anderson
Not only was Anderson a great QB he was also an iron man for Cincinnati. He played for 16 seasons until the age of 37; his last two years he was replaced by Boomer and then came back to coach QBs in 1993. He had great statistics in a time where only 14 games were played so let’s dive into that.
Stats
192 games played
91 – 81 career record
59.3% completion rating
32,838 yards passing
197 touchdowns
160 interceptions
81.9 QB rating
Accolades
4x Pro Bowls (1975, 1976, 1981, 1982)
1981 First-team All Pro
1974, 1975 Second-team All Pro
1981 Most Valuable Player, OPOTY, Comeback POTY
2x passing yards leader (1974, 1975)
4x passer rating leader (1975, 1975, 1981, 1982)
3x completion percentage leader (1974, 1982, 1983)
Playoffs
1973 – 0 wins, 14/27 completions, 113 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
1975 – 0 wins, 17/27 completions, 201 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT
1981 – 2 wins, 53/77 completions, 653 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs
1982 – 0 wins, 26/35 completions, 354 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs
Playoff passer rating: 93.5
1 Super Bowl appearance (1981)
I learned a lot by doing the above research since I did not see Anderson play. The stats above have put Ken Anderson as a borderline HOFer and it’s most people’s opinions that he should be in. You have to remember that the game was a different era and it was more run-based and seasons were shorter. I also thought that Anderson would have been better in the playoffs. Certainly he was amazing in 1981 but failing in three other seasons shows just how hard it is to win playoff games and chances are limited. A good reminder when looking back at Andy Dalton and Carson Palmer’s careers here.
Joe Burrow
Stats: In 2019 the top 11 QBs passed for an average of 4,365 yards. In today’s NFL that would only take Burrow 7.5 years to accomplish. These same QBs averaged 26 TDs for the season which would also mean Burrow could accomplish this in 7.5 years. Quarterback ratings are also on average higher throughout the league and a lot of this has to do with the concentration on passing. Basically you can throw the stats out the window because they are comparing two vastly different periods of time.
Accolades: I do not think making the Pro Bowl four times in the modern NFL puts you in the Hall of Fame. It generally is streaky and more of a popularity contest than anything else. What matters here are all of the other prizes to win such as league MVP, offensive player of the year and passing leader numbers. This shows that you are the best in the game. 1981 was an incredible year for Anderson which shows that if you have one great year for your team it will speak for your entire career.
Playoffs: If I told you that Joe Burrow would only win two playoff games while in Cincinnati you would be greatly disappointed and call him a bust. If I told you he took us to a Super Bowl without telling you the results then you would say “that’s all we are asking for.” Burrow must take this team to the Super Bowl to be in consideration for the Bengals QB GOAT. Boomer did it and lost, so did Anderson. If he wins it then certainly build a statue and rename the stadium. The bar is low because we have not seen a playoff win in quite some time.
In summary Joe Burrow certainly has a chance at this. Ken Anderson will go down as the best until he is bested but if Burrow wins playoff games in multiple seasons and gets to a Super Bowl then that is certainly the marker for having the QB GOAT discussion. Mad respect and props to Ken Anderson, truly one of the greats!