Cincinnati Bengals All-Time Passing Leaders – No. 5: Jeff Blake (15,134)
Bengals Quarterback from 1994-1999
A sixth-round pick by the Jets in the 1992 NFL Draft, Jeff Blake found his way to Cincinnati in 1994 and spent the next six years as their starting quarterback after he beat out David Klingler for the job. Blake never led the Bengals to a winning season during that time but put up respectable numbers and started in every game in both 1995 and 1996, proving how durable he was.
Boomer Esiason returned to Cincinnati in 1997 for a second stint and took over for Blake in the final five games of the season. Blake stayed with the team for two more years after that but after the team took Akili Smith third overall in 1999, it was clear that Blake’s days were numbered.
Blake finished his six-year tenure with the Bengals totaling 15,134 yards, 93 touchdowns, and 62 interceptions. He also was a threat with his legs, rushing for 1,499 yards and 10 scores.
Blake made it to one Pro Bowl during his career and it came as a member of the Bengals in 1995, just his third year in the league. That season saw Blake throw for 3,822 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions while rushing for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
After the Bengals parted ways with Blake, he had pitstops with the Saints, Ravens, Cardinals, Eagles, and Bears before calling it a career following the 2005 season. Blake might not have been the star that the guys ahead of him on this list were but his numbers are still good enough to put him in the top five in Bengals passing yards.