Only two Cincinnati Bengals players have captured the NFL Most Valuable Player award in franchise history. Quarterback Ken Anderson won the honor in 1981 after leading the league in passer rating (98.4) and completion percentage (62.6%) while guiding Cincinnati to a 12-4 record and an appearance in Super Bowl XVI. Seven years later, Boomer Esiason earned the award in 1988, throwing for 3,572 yards and 28 touchdowns as the Bengals reached Super Bowl XXIII.
Current quarterback Joe Burrow has entered the MVP conversation multiple times since being drafted first overall in 2020. The former LSU star led Cincinnati to Super Bowl LVI following the 2021 season and has posted top-five passer ratings in three of his first four full seasons. Through the early portion of the 2026 campaign, Burrow again ranks among the league leaders in passing yards and touchdown passes, keeping his name in the award discussion as the Bengals pursue a deep playoff run.
