Since the beginning of the Super Bowl era, we have seen countless of NFL running backs who have won it all and deserved that ring, while others have not.
This rings especially true for running backs, as they can play a large part in orchestrating the success of an offense. However, life is not fair as some of the greatest NFL running backs of all time are still ringless while other backs who may have contributed nothing to their team’s Super Bowl run have skated on by.
Now let’s dive into the 5 Greatest Ringless NFL Running Backs of All-Time…And 5 Worst Who Definitely Don’t Deserve One.
Which NFL Running Backs deserve a ring and who’s not deserving?
Best – Barry Sanders
Might as well start off this list with the Greatest NFL running back of all time. Sanders was never able to reach the pinnacle of the NFL due to being on an average Lions’ team that could never figure it out in the playoffs in the 10 years that he played.
Sanders was the engine of the lion’s offense as he won offensive rookie of the year, offensive player of the year and was even MVP in 1997. In his lifetime he tallied 18,190 all-purpose yards and 109 total touchdowns.
Barry Sanders was unfortunately stuck on a mid-team during his career and never got to experience hoisting up the Lombardi.
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Worst – Cam Akers
Akers never lived up to the second-round draft pick that was used on him back in 2020. His 4 NFL seasons have been filled with poor production and injuries.
During his team’s 2021 Super Bowl win against the Cincinnati Bengals, Akers was hurt for the regular season. However, when he came back for the team’s postseason run, he racked up 172 rushing yards and 0 rushing touchdowns with a measly 2.6 yards a carry in the 4 games they played.
All else to say with the production Akers has had over his 5 NFL seasons, it’s safe to say that he does not deserve the ring that he got in 2021.
Best – Derrick Henry
The king was arguably the most dominant player in the NFL during his time with the Tennessee Titans from 2016-2023. Now looking to continue the same dominance with the Baltimore Ravens Henry is still chasing that Super Bowl ring.
When with the Titans Henry had five 1,000-yard, two 1,500-yard and even one 2,000-yard rushing season(s). His consistent play along with his bruiser running style has made him one of the best to ever do it. All he has done in his time in the NFL is bully defenders and carry his team deep into the playoffs.
Unfortunately, it takes an entire team to get that ring and whether it was the QB play or the defense that let Henry down, it has kept him from that Super Bowl ring as an NFL running back.
Also read: 5 NFL Running Backs Who Will Change Teams…And 5 Who Will Retire With Their Current Ones
Worst – James Starks
Jamel Starks won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers in the 2010-2011 season. However, his career did not deem him nearly as worthy as some others for a Super Bowl ring. In his 7-year career, he only racked up 2,506 yards and 9 touchdowns
While he was rather productive in the postseason run that got the Packers their championship in 2010 his overall contribution to the team over his career hasn’t made him deserving.
This is considering that there are running backs out there who are much more efficient and game-changing who don’t have a ring.
Best – Ladainian Tomlinson
LT was one of the most game-changing NFL running backs the league has ever seen. He has the production and game footage to back this up as over his career he gathered 18,456 all-purpose yards and 162 total touchdowns over his 11-year career.
He even won MVP and OPOTY in a historic 2006 season where he had over 1,800 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns.
Unfortunately, he was stuck on the San Diego Chargers who are notorious for being masterclass chokers in the playoffs and despite LaDainian’s best efforts, he never got that almighty Super Bowl ring.
Worst – Pierre Thomas
Thomas is another case of a below-average running back who ended up on a championship team and got that ring. In 10 seasons Thomas accumulated only 3,809 yards and 28 touchdowns.
He also did not do a whole lot in the playoffs during the Saints’ run to the Super Bowl as he had 143 yards and 1 touchdown. If only Barry Sanders or Derrick Henry could have been on that 2009 Saints’ team because they were a lot more deserving than Thomas.
Also read: 5 Star NFL Running Backs That Won’t Win A Super Bowl Before They Retire…And 5 That Definitely Will
Best – Adrian Peterson
Whether it was running over defensive backs, linebackers or breaking off a 90-yard touchdown run Peterson was the model of an elite running back.
He spent most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings who could never seem to get it done in the playoffs whether it was in 2009 or 2015.
Peterson had about 15,000 rushing yards and 120 touchdowns and will always be remembered as one of the best pure runners in football who never got a Super Bowl ring.
Worst – Clyde Edwards Helaire
Once a high draft pick and projected to ascend a well-orchestrated Kansas City offense, Helaire has been rather disappointing in his 4 NFL seasons.
He has never cracked 850 yards in a season and has gotten worse as his career has progressed.
As for the playoffs, he has 220 yards and 1 touchdown in three deep playoff runs and has netted two Super Bowl rings from his lackluster efforts.
Best – Christian McCaffrey
If we are talking about potentially the best, do-it-all NFL running back who hasn’t won a ring yet, it must go to McCaffrey. Formerly with the Carolina Panthers where he had an electric 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards season and was basically the heartbeat of that offense.
Now with the San Fransico 49ers where he came off arguably his best season in 2023 having 2,000 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns, it’s safe to say McCaffrey has done his part.
However, the Panthers we never really contenders and the 49ers have not been able to get it done in the NFC championship or the Super Bowl. This has sadly to this day kept Run CMC from a ring.
Worst – Rex Burkhead
Rex Burkhead had a rather disappointing nine-year career in the NFL; however, he was lucky enough to be on the 2019 New England Patriots squad that won it all.
Burkhead never got the time of day as he couldn’t ever secure a RB1 job. He never had a season with more than 450 rushing yards and in the Pats super bowl run he contributed 4 yards in 4 games. All in all, sometimes it’s the luck of the draw and Burkhead got to celebrate on the podium with a ring while other greats wish they were on a team like his.
Also read: 10 NFL Prospects That Will Surprise Everybody And Go In The First Round
