Ken Anderson Named Finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026
It’s been a long time coming, but Ken Anderson is officially one step closer to Canton.
The former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback was named one of five senior finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, joining an elite group that includes running back Roger Craig, defensive end L.C. Greenwood, legendary coach Bill Belichick, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting: the Hall’s selection committee can vote for only three of the five finalists. To earn enshrinement, a finalist must receive at least 80% of the vote.
If none of the five hits that threshold, the individual with the most votes will still make it in. So while the odds are tough, Anderson's candidacy is very much alive.
Let’s talk about why Anderson deserves serious consideration.
He was a four-time Pro Bowler and the NFL MVP in 1981 - the year he led the Bengals to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. That season, he orchestrated one of the league’s most efficient offenses, playing with poise, precision, and a command of the game that was ahead of its time. Though Cincinnati fell short against San Francisco in Super Bowl XVI, Anderson’s performance that year still stands as a defining chapter in franchise history.
When he retired after the 1986 season, Anderson had racked up 32,838 passing yards, good for sixth all-time at the time, and 197 touchdown passes, which ranked 13th. Those numbers may not jump off the page in today’s pass-heavy NFL, but in the context of his era - when defenses could still manhandle receivers and quarterbacks weren’t protected like they are now - they’re more than impressive. They’re elite.
Anderson was also a pioneer in terms of accuracy. He led the league in completion percentage three times and was one of the early adopters of the West Coast offense under Bill Walsh, helping to redefine how the quarterback position was played. Simply put, he was efficient before efficiency became the metric of choice for evaluating quarterbacks.
This year’s senior finalist pool is stacked with worthy candidates. Roger Craig was a dual-threat running back before that became the norm.
L.C. Greenwood was a key cog in the Steel Curtain defense.
Bill Belichick’s coaching resume speaks for itself, and Robert Kraft helped build one of the NFL’s most dominant dynasties off the field.
But Anderson’s case isn’t just about numbers or accolades - it’s about impact. He helped elevate the Bengals from an afterthought to a contender, and he did it with a style of play that helped usher in the modern passing game. For a franchise that’s often been overlooked, Anderson was a beacon of legitimacy.
Notably, several high-profile names didn’t make it past the semifinal stage this year, including two-time Super Bowl-winning coaches Tom Coughlin, Mike Shanahan, and George Seifert; AFL pioneer Bud Adams; standout receiver Otis Taylor; and special teams ace Steve Tasker. That just underscores how competitive the field is.
But for Bengals fans - and for anyone who appreciates quarterback play that was both efficient and ahead of its time - Ken Anderson’s spot among the finalists is a long-overdue recognition. Now, it’s up to the voters to decide if 2026 will finally be the year he gets his gold jacket.