In 2021, the Cincinnati Bengals finally added a Ring of Honor. The team finally listened to its fans and has begun to honor some of the biggest legends to don the stripes. This year, the Bengals will add another two former players, and we don’t envy those in the position to make a decision, because the list of nominees for the 2026 class is loaded.
The Bengals Ring Of Honor Will Add Two More Legends This Season
Those Already Enshrined
To this point, the Bengals have honored a dozen former players. From trying to honor the older legends to including the more recent stars, the team has had its work cut out for it. Here are the honorees thus far:
- 2021
- Paul Brown (Founder, Head Coach 1968-1975, Pro Football Hall of Fame)
- Anthony Muñoz (OT 1980-1992, Pro Football Hall of Fame)
- Ken Riley (DB 1969-1983, Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Ken Anderson (QB 1971-1986)
- 2022
- Willie Anderson (OT 1996-2007)
- Isaac Curtis (WR 1973-1984)
- 2023
- Boomer Esiason (QB 1984-1992, 1997)
- Chad Johnson (WR 2001-2010)
- 2024
- Tim Krumrie (NT 1983-1994)
- Corey Dillon (RB 1997-2003)
- 2025
- Dave Lapham (OL 1974-1983)
- Lemar Parrish (CB 1970-1977)
The 2026 Nominees
This year, the voters have to pick two names out of a list of 12 nominees. Seven nominees return to the ballot, while five names are new.
Alphabetically, Geno Atkins is first on the list. This year is Atkins’ first as a nominee for the Bengals Ring of Honor as a star for the defense from 2010 through 2020. He was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a two-time All-Pro selection, and was on the All-2010s Team. His 75.5 sacks are the third-most in franchise history. Atkins also added 99 tackles for loss, eight forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Jim Breech returns to the ballot this year. He was the kicker from 1980-1992 and is the Bengals’ all-time leading scorer with 1,151 points (the next closest, Shayne Graham, had 779 points).
Another returning nominee to the ballot is running back James Brooks. He holds the mark for most offensive yards with 9,459, most total touchdowns (64), and games played (118). His 6,447 rushing yards are second-most in franchise history.
Cris Collinsworth is currently known as Mike Tirico’s partner on “Sunday Night Football,” but he was a star for the Bengals from 1981 through 1988. He led the team in receiving in both Super Bowls in the ’80s, and is among the top five in receptions, yards, and yards per catch.
Carlos Dunlap is a new addition to the ballot. He was as disruptive as any from 2010 to 2020. He is second in team history with 82.5 sacks and notched at least seven sacks in seven straight seasons. The end of his career wasn’t ideal, but if Corey Dillon can make it into the Bengals Ring of Honor, Dunlap should have a shot.
David Fulcher was a three-time Pro Bowl safety for the Bengals between 1986 and 1992. His eight-interception performance in 1989 is the most in franchise history.
A.J. Green. The WR1 between Chad Johnson and Ja’Marr Chase, Green was a revolutionary star for the Bengals in his 10 seasons in stripes. Despite the fact that he only played nine games between 2018 and 2019, he is the second-best receiver in franchise history in terms of receptions, yards, and touchdowns. His Bengals career began with five straight 1,000-yard seasons and six in his first seven.
Another new player to the ballot is underrated corner Leon Hall. From 2007 through 2015, Hall was the CB1 for the Bengals, hauling in 26 interceptions (fourth-best in team history), including three pick-sixes. He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2009.
Max Montoya was an integral piece of both Super Bowl teams in the ’80s. From 1979 through 1989, Montoya was a three-time Pro Bowler, and in 1988, he had a stretch of allowing just one pressure in 237 passing attempts.
Bob Trumpy was ahead of his time at tight end. He wore stripes for the first 10 seasons of existence and earned Pro Bowl honors four times. He was an all-around tight end who probably would have thrived in the modern game.
Now, a new name that will make the decision even harder, Andrew Whitworth deserved a ring in Cincinnati…unfortunately, he earned one after beating the Bengals. A two-time All-Pro, Whitworth started 158 consecutive games, including playoffs. Whitworth was a star on a handful of great offensive lines.
Finally, Reggie Williams suited up for the Bengals from 1976 to 1989, playing in both Super Bowls. The long-time linebacker won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 1986, joining Anderson (1975) and Muñoz (1991). He led the team in tackles three times and is in the top four in a handful of defensive stats.
The Issue at Hand
This year, the Bengals will induct two former players to join the first 12. Each player has as great a case as the next to be the next name included. However, the team has placed the stipulation that “at least one of two inductees must be from the original nominees.” So, at least one of Breech, Brooks, Collinsworth, Fulcher, Montoya, Trumpy, or Williams must make the cut.
The more controversial decision is what is to come. Starting in 2027, the Ring of Honor will go from two new inductees to just one. Considering how many classic era players are still waiting, the decision to only honor one moving forward is going to cause a massive bottleneck. How many of the franchise’s legends are going to have to wait because a new crop of players hit the ballot? How many modern-era players would have made this year’s cut if not for the first stipulation?
This author does not have a vote, unfortunately. However, with these stipulations, our ballot would be Atkins and Montoya. Atkins is up for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, so getting ahead of the narratives, unlike what the team did with Willie Anderson, could only aid one of the best defenders of the 2010s. Montoya, on the other hand, was an integral cog of the internal offensive line for some very good Bengals teams.
All 12 players deserve enshrinement. Whitworth was a fan favorite, Green and Dunlap were legitimately elite, and Hall was a dog for that defense. Who deserves to wait?
Hopefully, the team decides to rescind the “only one” rule starting next year. At the same time, these players are all used to being passed over when it’s their time to shine. Of course, this time, it’ll be Bengal-on-Bengal crime.
Main Image: © Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
