The Cincinnati Bengals were established in 1966 by Paul Brown, a legendary figure in American football. Brown, who previously co-founded and coached the Cleveland Browns, sought to return to professional football after he departed from the Browns. The Bengals were one of the ten original teams in the American Football League (AFL) before the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. The team’s name, Bengals, was chosen to honour a previous professional football team that had existed in Cincinnati in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
The Bengals played their first season in 1968, finishing with a 3-11 record. Their home games were initially held at Nippert Stadium, which is the football stadium for the University of Cincinnati. In their second season, the Bengals improved to 4-9-1.
Joining the NFL and the Paul Brown Era (1970-1975)
With the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, the Bengals joined the National Football League (NFL) and became part of the American Football Conference (AFC) Central Division. In their inaugural season in the NFL, the Bengals won their division with an 8-6 record, earning their first playoff appearance. However, they were defeated by the Baltimore Colts in the divisional round.
Paul Brown coached the Bengals until 1975, during which time the team experienced moderate success, making the playoffs two more times (in 1973 and 1975) but failing to advance past the divisional round.
The Forrest Gregg Era and First Super Bowl Appearance (1976-1983)
Forrest Gregg took over as head coach in 1980. Under his leadership, the Bengals achieved significant success. The pinnacle of Gregg’s tenure came in the 1981 season when the Bengals, led by quarterback Ken Anderson, finished with a 12-4 record and advanced to Super Bowl XVI. Unfortunately, they were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers 26-21. This season was notable for Ken Anderson winning the NFL MVP award and the team’s impressive offensive performance.
The Sam Wyche Era and Second Super Bowl Appearance (1984-1991)
Sam Wyche became the head coach in 1984, bringing innovation and excitement to the Bengals’ offence. In 1988, Wyche led the Bengals to a 12-4 record and their second Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XXIII. The Bengals faced the San Francisco 49ers once again and were narrowly defeated 20-16 after a last-minute touchdown by the 49ers. The season was marked by the outstanding performance of quarterback Boomer Esiason, who won the NFL MVP award.
The Struggles of the 1990s (1992-2002)
The 1990s were a difficult period for the Bengals. They had numerous coaching changes and struggled to achieve success on the field. The team went through a significant dry spell, failing to make the playoffs from 1991 to 2004. Despite talented players like running back Corey Dillon, the Bengals often finished with losing records and were viewed as one of the less competitive teams in the NFL during this period.
The Marvin Lewis Era and Revival (2003-2018)
In 2003, Marvin Lewis was hired as the head coach, marking a turning point for the franchise. Lewis focused on rebuilding the team through the draft and developing young talent. In 2005, the Bengals won the AFC North division with an 11-5 record, making their first playoff appearance in 15 years. The team featured a potent offence led by quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Chad Johnson (later known as Chad Ochocinco).
Under Lewis, the Bengals made seven playoff appearances (2005, 2009, 2011-2015), but they were unable to secure a playoff victory. Despite the lack of postseason success, Lewis was credited with restoring respectability to the franchise and making them consistent contenders in the AFC North.
The Zac Taylor Era and Recent Success (2019-Present)
Zac Taylor was hired as head coach in 2019, bringing a new vision and philosophy to the team. In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Bengals selected quarterback Joe Burrow with the first overall pick, signalling a new era for the franchise.
The 2021 season was a breakout year for the Bengals. Led by Burrow and star rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, the team finished 10-7 and won the AFC North division. The Bengals advanced to Super Bowl LVI, their first Super Bowl appearance since 1988. Although they lost to the Los Angeles Rams 23-20, the season was considered a major success and a sign of the team’s bright future.
Trophies and Honors
- AFC Championships:
- 1981
- 1988
- 2021
- AFC Central/AFC North Division Titles:
- 1970
- 1973
- 1981
- 1988
- 1990
- 2005
- 2009
- 2013
- 2015
- 2021
Conclusion
The history of the Cincinnati Bengals is marked by periods of both struggle and success. From their founding by Paul Brown and early playoff appearances to the highs of their Super Bowl runs in the 1980s and recent resurgence under Zac Taylor, the Bengals have remained a resilient franchise with a passionate fan base. As the team continues to build around young talent like Joe Burrow, the future looks promising for the Bengals and their quest for their first Super Bowl title.