One of the few place kickers drafted (8th round in 1979 from the University of California), Jim Breech had his early NFL journey altered when the Oakland Raiders released him in favor of Chris Bahr. The Cincinnati Bengals seized the opportunity, claiming Breech off waivers in 1980 and securing a steady, clutch-kicking presence who would anchor their special teams unit for the next 13 seasons.

Breech, known for being compact and ice-cold under pressure, proved to be the ultimate cold-weather specialist at Riverfront Stadium. His quick-strike style and talent for performing in high-pressure moments made him a key figure during the franchise’s most successful period. Breech was one of the few players to contribute significantly to both Bengals Super Bowl teams in 1981 and 1988.

His postseason clutch ability is legendary: Breech was perfect with a 9-for-9 record on field goal attempts over nine playoff games, including making all four attempts in Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XXIII. Notably, his 40-yard field goal late in Super Bowl XXIII put Cincinnati ahead 16–13 with just over three minutes left. He also set an NFL record by winning nine overtime games with walk-off field goals, never missing in any extra period.

Breech achieved high-volume efficiency during the 1980s, ranking in the top ten for field goal percentage and total points five times. In 1988, he led the NFL with 53 extra points, contributing to the league's highest-scoring offense and reaching the AFC Championship.

He was Cincinnati’s full-time placekicker until 1992, then retired. Breech played 181 regular-season and nine postseason games, making 225 field goals and 349 extra points for 1,151 points, still a franchise record.

With the third overall pick in 1977, the Bengals selected Eddie Edwards, who arrived in Cincinnati from Miami with a reputation as an unstoppable force along the line of scrimmage. A consensus All-American for the Hurricanes, Edwards gave Forrest Gregg and Bill Walsh an immediate, high-octane anchor to jumpstart the Bengals' defense.

Edwards hit the ground running as an interior force. Lined up at defensive tackle for his first three seasons (1977–1979), his initial burst and heavy hands allowed him to shed guards instantly, earning PFWA All-Rookie honors in 1977.

By 1980, the coaching staff slid him out to defensive end, a move that unlocked his full capability as an edge rusher. Edwards utilized long arms, relentless pursuit, and a sudden change-of-direction stick to terrorize opposing tackles.

His peak arrived in 1983, when he exploded for a career-high 13.0 official sacks. Edwards served as a cornerstone defender during the most iconic era of early Bengals football, starting in Super Bowl XVI in 1981 and anchoring the defensive front through Cincinnati's run to Super Bowl XXIII in 1988.

Because the NFL did not make sacks an official statistic until 1982, his official tally stands at 47.5. However, film study and the work of Pro Football Reference confirm he actually brought down opposing quarterbacks 83.5 times during his tenure, a shadow franchise mark that leads all pass rushers in Cincinnati history.

An eventual College Football Hall of Fame inductee from the University of North Dakota, Jim LeClair came to the Bengals in the 1972 Draft (3rd round, 54th overall) and spent 12 seasons with the Bengals (1972–1983).  LeClair transformed from a special teams reserve into the hard-nosed, instinctive heart of Cincinnati's linebacker corps.

LeClair possessed ideal size, sideline-to-sideline pursuit range, and elite diagnosing ability. After serving as a backup for his first three seasons, he took over as the starting middle linebacker in 1975, instantly sharpening the interior of Paul Brown’s defense.

LeClair’s finest individual campaign came in 1976, when his tackling prowess and central leadership earned him his first career Pro Bowl selection. As the defense shifted front structures heading into the 1980s, LeClair seamlessly transitioned to left inside linebacker in Forest Gregg’s 3-4 scheme. His consistent play and tackling volume anchored the front seven during Cincinnati’s historic 1981 AFC Championship campaign, culminating in a Super Bowl XVI starting appearance.

LeClair remained a vital starter through the strike-shortened 1982 season and the 1983 campaign. Prior to the 1984 season, he departed Cincinnati to sign with Donald Trump's New Jersey Generals in the USFL, playing two final professional seasons alongside Herschel Walker before retiring.

Over his career in Cincinnati, LeClair generated 10 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries, and 7.5 official sacks while consistently leading the defense in unofficial tackle totals.

Selected second overall in the 1968 AFL/NFL Draft out of Tennessee, Bob Johnson holds a unique place in Cincinnati Bengals lore as the very first draft pick in franchise history. Head coach Paul Brown coveted a brainy, dependable pivot to set the baseline for his expansion offense, and Johnson answered the call by locking down the starting center job from the team's inaugural drive onward.

Johnson brought exceptional line-calling insight, precise snapping, and relentless technique to the pivot. In an era of heavy interior collisions, he anchored Paul Brown's front five by recognizing blitz patterns and keeping a clean pocket for early Bengals quarterbacks such as Greg Cook and Virgil Carter. Johnson stepped directly into the starting lineup as a rookie in 1968, starting all 14 games and earning an AFL All-Star selection in his debut campaign.

Consistency defined Johnson’s run at center. Across his first ten seasons (1968–1977), he started every single one of the 136 regular-season games he appeared in. He helped lead Cincinnati to its first two division titles in 1970 and 1973, serving as the team's offensive captain and primary interior pass blocker.

As the franchise transitioned into the late 1970s, Johnson stepped into a veteran backup and reserve snapper role for his final two campaigns. He retired following the 1979 season as the last remaining member of the original 1968 inaugural squad.

Johnson played in 154 regular-season games (136 starts) along with three postseason appearances. Shortly after his career ended, the Bengals retired his No. 54 jersey.