7 Football Players who Played for Raiders and Bengals
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players who have played for both the Las Vegas Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Raiders and the Bengals.
Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer played in the National Football League from 2003 to 2017. Selected first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, Palmer enjoyed a successful career highlighted by three Pro Bowl selections.
After seven seasons with the Bengals, Palmer had a brief tenure with the Oakland Raiders before finding renewed success with the Arizona Cardinals. He had one of his best seasons in 2015, leading the Cardinals to the NFC Championship game and setting franchise records with 4,671 passing yards and 35 touchdowns in the season.
When he retired in 2018, Palmer had amassed 46,247 passing yards, 294 touchdowns, and a 62.5% completion percentage over his 15-year career.
*Palmer has previously been the most popular pick for this square (Grid 3 & 37)
Palmer Key Stats
- Pro Bowl (Bengals, Cardinals)
- 3000+ Yard Passing Season (Bengals, Raiders, Cardinals)
Bruce Gradkowski
Bruce Gradkowski, a quarterback with a journeyman career in the NFL, played from 2006 to 2012.
Initially drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 6th round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Gradkowski also had stints with the Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 37 games over his career, Gradkowski threw for 4,057 yards with a completion percentage of 52.9%. He recorded 21 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh
T.J. Houshmandzadeh was selected in the seventh round, 204th overall, by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2001 NFL Draft. During his 11-year NFL career, Houshmandzadeh played for the Bengals, Seahawks, Ravens, and Raiders. His best season came in 2007 with the Bengals, when he recorded 112 receptions for 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Houshmandzadeh was also named to the Pro Bowl in 2007, highlighting a season in which he tied for the NFL lead in receptions.
Known for his reliable hands and precise route-running, Houshmandzadeh developed a strong on-field connection in Cincinnati with quarterback Carson Palmer, forming a dynamic duo with fellow wide receiver Chad Johnson.
Houshmandzadeh Key Stats
- Pro Bowl (Bengals)
- 1000+ Yard Receiving Season (Bengals)
Reggie Nelson
Reggie Nelson played college football at the University of Florida, where he was recognized as a unanimous All-American and helped his team win the 2006 BCS National Championship.
Nelson was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. After spending three seasons with the Jaguars, he was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, where his career saw a significant resurgence. Nelson led the NFL in interceptions in 2015 with eight, which resulted in a Pro Bowl selection.
In 2016, Nelson signed with the Oakland Raiders, where he played for three seasons and earned his second Pro Bowl selection. Throughout his 12-season NFL career, Nelson was known for his hard-hitting style and knack for creating turnovers. He recorded more than 800 tackles, intercepted 38 passes, and had 9 forced fumbles.
Jason Campbell
Jason Campbell was selected by the Washington Football Team in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, 25th overall. He played over a 10-year NFL career, spending time with Washington, the Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals.
Campbell’s NFL career included 79 starts in 90 total games, during which he threw for 16,771 yards, 87 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions. His best season came in 2009 with Washington, when he passed for 3,618 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Though Campbell never reached the elite status some anticipated, he served as a solid starting quarterback and later a veteran backup, known for his strong arm and leadership on and off the field.
Brandon LaFell
Brandon LaFell was drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. LaFell played for the Panthers from 2010 to 2013, making some solid contributions as a reliable receiving option.
He then joined the New England Patriots in 2014 and enjoyed one of the highlights of his career by winning Super Bowl XLIX with the team.
After his stint with the Patriots, LaFell went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2016 to 2018. He finished his tenure with the Bengals with respectable numbers before moving to the Oakland Raiders for a short stint in 2018. LaFell finished his 9-year career with 5,398 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns.
A.J. McCarron
A.J. McCarron entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick (164th overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama, where he had a highly successful career that included two BCS National Championships.
In the NFL, McCarron primarily served as a backup quarterback. He spent his first four seasons with the Bengals, where he saw limited action but did start a few games. His most notable moment with the Bengals came in the 2015 playoffs when he started in place of an injured Andy Dalton but ultimately lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After his time in Cincinnati, McCarron had brief stints with several teams, including the Buffalo Bills (although never saw action in Buffalo), Oakland Raiders, and Houston Texans.
