Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis draws interest from multiple teams, including the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching, and the Cincinnati Bengals continue to evaluate their roster options, while holding eight draft picks, including the No. 10 overall. While most of the team’s attention will be on early-round defensive upgrades, Cincinnati has also been active in the quarterback market, hosting pre-draft visits with developmental prospects.
Among the names being heavily linked to the Bengals is Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis, who, according to Arye Pulli of The Sports Place, is scheduled for multiple visits in the days leading up to the draft. His list includes the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, New York Jets and Cincinnati.
Kaliakmanis’ production at Rutgers supports that evaluation. In 2025, he threw for 3,124 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions, completing 62.2 percent of his passes. He also added four rushing touchdowns, showing mobility in designed and off-schedule situations. Over his college career, which included time at Minnesota before transferring, he totaled 8,604 passing yards, 55 touchdowns and 27 interceptions across 48 games.
Kaliakmanis ranked eighth nationally in EPA and seventh in EPA per dropback during the 2025 season, placing him among the more efficient passers in college football despite playing in a system that was not heavily pass-oriented. His 2025 Pro Football Focus grade of 88.8 also ranked him among the top quarterbacks in the country.
Athan Kaliakmanis Could Be a Great Depth Addition for the Bengals
Kaliakmanis is viewed as a physically capable quarterback with developmental upside. According to The Draft Network, he possesses a strong arm, good size (6-foot-3, 212 pounds) and functional mobility, with the ability to extend plays outside the pocket. While not a fast quarterback, his passing efficiency is a skillset any NFL team could work with.
Draft analyst Tristen Kuhn named his accuracy and development as reasons he could outperform his draft position, noting steady improvement in decision-making and efficiency. At the same time, most evaluations point to inconsistency in mechanics and processing speed, particularly under pressure, as areas that need refinement.
Kaliakmanis is widely viewed as a high-end backup with spot-start potential, capable of developing into a reliable No. 2 quarterback in the right system. Some teams see a path to a low-end starter if his processing and accuracy continue to improve, but that outcome is not considered the most likely.
The Bengals’ quarterback room is led by Joe Burrow, with veterans Joe Flacco and Josh Johnson currently serving as backup options.
Kaliakmanis is not projected as an early-round pick. He is widely viewed as a Day 3 selection or priority undrafted free agent, with a big board ranking outside the top 200 prospects. With significant needs on defense and along the offensive line, it is highly unlikely the Bengals would use a premium pick on a quarterback.
However, Kaliakmanis has positioned himself as a viable depth addition at the next level.