Cincinnati Bengals: All-time passing leaders in franchise history

The Cincinnati Bengals have been fortunate to have some great quarterbacks during their 50+ years as an organization. Six of their former quarterbacks have thrown for over 10,000 yards and, on some teams, would find themselves higher on the list of all-time passing yards.

Let’s take a look at the Bengals’ passing leaders.

Editor’s Note — This article was originally written and published in June 2021. The most recent update was in January 2023.

Cincinnati Bengals All-Time Passing Leaders – No. 15: Greg Cook (1,865)

Bengals Quarterback from 1969-1973

In 1969, the Bengals were entering their second year in the NFL and found their quarterback with the No. 5 overall pick in that year’s draft. They went with Cincinnati’s own Greg Cook, who grew up in Ohio and played for the Bearcats collegiately.

There was a lot to like about Cook during his college years and he put up big numbers when you take into consideration how different the game was back then. The Bengals decided to move on from John Stofa, their quarterback in their inaugural season and moved onto the Greg Cook era.

Unfortunately, the Cook era never really came to be, as shoulder injuries plagued what could have been a promising career for the Ohio native. He started 11 games as a rookie in 1969 while throwing for 1,854 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions but then wasn’t able to start again until 1973 because of how severe his injury was.

When it was all said and done, Cook’s career was a disappointment but Bengals fans who were alive to watch him play always wondered what could have been.