1998 Cincinnati Bengals season


The 1998 season was the Cincinnati Bengals' 31st in professional football and their 29th in the National Football League. The Bengals finished with a 3–13 record for the fourth time in the 1990s, as new free agent quarterback Neil O'Donnell was sacked 30 times. Despite the poor showing by the offensive line, running back Corey Dillon established himself as one of the NFL's premier running backs, as he rushed for 1,120 yards. The only bright spot for the Bengals in 1998 was when they swept division rival Pittsburgh. This was the Bengals only sweep of the Steelers during the "Bungles" years. The Bengals failed to beat a single team with a winning record.
WWW bengals.com/team/history/...

Offseason

NFL draft

The Bengals drafted nine players in 1998.

Undrafted free agents

PlayerPositionCollege
Alonzo ClaytonWide receiverNorthern Iowa
Brad CostelloPunterBoston University
Mike DoughtyTackleNotre Dame
Damon GibsonWide receiverIowa
Daryle HeidelburgWide receiverJackson State
Jeff LeonardDefensive endWyoming
Derrick LeVakeTackleWisconsin–Whitewater
Adrian LusterDefensive TackleThe Citadel
Ric MathiasCornerbackWisconsin–La Crosse
Jason MooreSafetySan Diego State
Kevin MooreSafetyMorgan State
Buddy RodgersFullbackMaryland
Adrian RossLinebackerColorado State
Erik StorzLinebackerBoston College

Team leaders

Kicking and punting

PlayerPuntsYardsLongBlkdAvg.
Lee Johnson69308369144.7

Awards and records

  • Carl Pickens, franchise record, most receptions in one game, 13

Milestones

  • Corey Dillon, 2nd 1,000-yard rushing season
  • Carl Pickens, 4th 1,000-yard receiving season
  • Chad Cornelius, led NFL in punt average in the preseason before tearing the ACL/MCL on his kicking leg. Was the first punter to down his own punt.