Cincinnati Bengals: All-time passing leaders in franchise history

Cincinnati Bengals All-Time Passing Leaders – No. 13: Jack Thompson (2,072)

Bengals Quarterback from 1979-1982

The Bengals held the No. 3 overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft and selected Washington State quarterback Jack Thompson, also known as the “Throwin’ Samoa”. Thompson threw for 2,333 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions during his senior season with the Cougars in 1978 and set many school records during his time there.

Thompson disappointed in the NFL, throwing for just 2,072 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions in his four years with the Bengals. He was on the 1981 team that went to the Super Bowl but didn’t start a single game that year but appeared in eight while throwing for 267 yards, one touchdown, and two picks.

After it was clear that Thompson wasn’t the franchise quarterback, the Bengals parted ways with him and he finished his NFL career with the Buccaneers until he was out of the league following the 1984 season.

The Bengals had high hopes for Thompson but those never came to be. The former No. 3 overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft barely threw for over 2,000 yards and was not the guy the Bengals thought they were getting when they made him the third overall pick.