The Cincinnati Bengals are giving their fans a chance to weigh in on franchise immortality. On May 27, 2026, the organization announced an expansion of the Ring of Honor ballot, adding five new nominees who represent some of the most impactful players to ever wear the stripes.
Geno Atkins, A.J. Green, Andrew Whitworth, Leon Hall, and Carlos Dunlap are now in the running for induction into the Bengals Ring of Honor, with voting opening on June 1 exclusively for season ticket members.
This is more than a roster of names -- it's a roll call from an era that defined Bengals football in the 2010s. Each of these players left an indelible mark on the franchise, and their addition to the ballot gives fans a chance to honor the men who helped carry Cincinnati through its most competitive stretch in decades.
A Ballot Stacked with Legends
The Ring of Honor currently features 10 members, including iconic figures like Anthony Muñoz, Ken Anderson, Boomer Esiason, and Chad Johnson. Expanding the ballot to include this quintet feels long overdue. Let's break down what each nominee brought to the table.
Geno Atkins -- A three-time First-Team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, Atkins was the engine of the Bengals defensive line for a decade. From 2010 to 2020, he recorded 75.5 sacks -- a staggering number for an interior defensive tackle. Atkins' ability to collapse the pocket from the inside made him one of the most disruptive defensive players in the NFL during his prime. He was the anchor of the Bengals' "Men in Black" defense and the kind of player opposing offensive coordinators had to scheme around every single week.
A.J. Green -- The face of the franchise at wide receiver for nearly a decade, Green was selected fourth overall in the 2011 draft and immediately became Joe Burrow's predecessor as the team's offensive centerpiece -- well before Burrow arrived. Green posted seven straight 1,000-yard seasons to open his career, a stretch that included six Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro honors. His ability to high-point passes, run crisp routes, and make acrobatic catches downfield made him one of the most feared receivers in the league. For a generation of Bengals fans, Green set the standard.
Andrew Whitworth -- The offensive tackle was the definition of steady leadership. Whitworth spent 11 seasons in Cincinnati, earning two Pro Bowl honors and serving as a team captain for years. He was a first-team All-Pro in his final Bengals season in 2016 before departing for the Los Angeles Rams. Whitworth's technique, durability, and locker room presence were critical to the Bengals' offensive line during the team's playoff runs in the early 2010s. He later captained a Rams team to a Super Bowl LVI victory, but his roots remain firmly planted in Cincinnati.
Leon Hall -- A first-round pick in 2007, Hall became one of the most reliable cornerbacks in Bengals history. He started 118 games over nine seasons in Cincinnati, picking off 24 passes and returning two for touchdowns. Hall was never the flashiest name in the secondary, but his consistency and coverage skills made him a cornerstone of the defense. He was the quiet professional who locked down his side of the field while the pass rush feasted.
Carlos Dunlap -- A second-round pick in 2010, Dunlap spent 11 seasons with the Bengals and left as the franchise's all-time leader in sacks (82.5). He was a two-time Pro Bowler and a constant disruptor off the edge. Dunlap's length, burst, and knack for making game-changing plays defined a defense that routinely ranked among the league's best. His 2015 season -- 13.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles -- was arguably the finest pass-rushing campaign for a Bengal in the modern era.
How the Process Works
The Ring of Honor committee -- composed of Bengals ownership, team executives, and former players -- will narrow the field from the expanded ballot. Season ticket members get the final say through a direct vote beginning June 1. The winner will be formally inducted during a home game in the upcoming season.
This democratic element is a nice touch. The Bengals have long prioritized fan engagement, and letting the people who pack Paycor Stadium every Sunday have a voice in which legends get enshrined creates a deeper connection between the franchise and its supporters.
What This Means for the Current Bengals
While this is a celebration of the past, it also resonates in the present. The 2026 Bengals roster is loaded with talent under head coach Zac Taylor and general manager Duke Tobin. Quarterback Joe Burrow leads an offense that features stars like Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, while defensive coordinator Al Golden oversees a unit anchored by edge rushers Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart, plus a stout interior with Jonathan Allen and B.J. Hill.
The 2010s-era Bengals never broke through to a Super Bowl -- they went 0-7 in the playoffs during that span. But they laid the foundation for a culture of competitiveness that Taylor and Burrow have elevated into conference championship contention. Honoring those players isn't just nostalgia; it's acknowledging the lineage that made the current success possible.
Atkins, Green, Whitworth, Hall, and Dunlap were the pillars of a team that went to the playoffs five consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2015. They never got the ring they chased, but they made the Bengals relevant on a national stage. That should count for something.
The Case for Each Candidate
Geno Atkins is arguably the most decorated defensive tackle in team history. His 75.5 sacks and four All-Pro selections dwarf nearly every other interior player to come through Cincinnati. He's the strongest candidate on the ballot.
A.J. Green was the face of the offense and a perennial Pro Bowl player. His statistical resume -- 649 catches, 9,430 yards, 65 touchdowns -- places him among the best receivers in franchise history. He's a no-doubt Ring of Honor inductee.
Andrew Whitworth represented professionalism and durability. While he played for the Rams and won a Super Bowl elsewhere, his 11 seasons of elite tackle play in Cincinnati earn him a spot. His leadership was invaluable.
Leon Hall may not have the flashiest numbers, but his reliability in coverage for nearly a decade made him a fan favorite and a critical piece of the secondary.
Carlos Dunlap owns the franchise sack record. That alone merits induction. His ability to produce consistently off the edge for years deserves recognition.
One Legend Will Enter, But All Deserve It
There's a strong argument that all five should eventually be inducted. But with only one spot available per cycle, fans will have to choose. The betting favorite is probably Atkins or Green, but don't discount the emotional pull of Whitworth or the statistical weight of Dunlap's sack record.
Either way, the Bengals are doing right by their alumni. A Ring of Honor is only as meaningful as the names it recognizes, and this class carries the weight of an era that shaped the modern identity of the franchise.
Voting opens June 1. Season ticket members, you have the pen. It's time to enshrine a legend.