Winning the Super Bowl is not an easy feat. All NFL players train every year just to get to the big dance and win it all not just for themselves, but for their team, their respective cities, and their fan base. Not all talented Hall of Fame quarterbacks will even win a Super Bowl. Here at TPS, we’re going to rank all Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks from worst to first.
Here are the rankings for all 58 Super Bowl Winning Quarterbacks.
32) Trent Dilfer (XXXV)
Dilfer may not have thrown any interceptions in Super Bowl XXXV, but whenever you hear his name, you don’t see him as an iconic starter. Dilfer only made the Pro Bowl once, which was back in 1997 when he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During Super Bowl XXXV, Dilfer threw for 153 yards while the Ravens’ defense got more of the shine in that game thanks to defensive leader Ray Lewis. But hey, Dilfer was a part of a Super Bowl-winning team.
31) Jim Plunkett (XV, XVIII)
Plunkett began his NFL career with the New England Patriots, as their starting quarterback before heading to San Francisco in 1976 for Tom Owen. Plunkett joined the Raiders in 1977 where he then helped the team win Super Bowls XV and XVIII. During his career, Plunkett threw more interceptions than touchdowns in nine seasons. Despite his two Super Bowl wins as a starter, he never made the Pro Bowl and was not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
30) Jim McMahon (XX)
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The 1985 Bears were known for Walter Payton’s rushing attack, and the fierce defense coached by defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan. A lot of people outside of Chicago and Green Bay don’t know who McMahon is. His name doesn’t scream NFL quarterback royalty. Instead, McMahon made the Pro Bowl once, during the Bears’ Super Bowl run, and never was a Pro Bowler after that. McMahon did win a second Super Bowl championship, as a backup to Brett Favre, in Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots.
29) Joe Namath (III)
There is no denying Namath’s iconic legacy, as a Hall of Famer, and his iconic guarantee that the Jets would be the winners of the Super Bowl against the Baltimore Colts. However, Namath did not throw a touchdown in the game. Running back Matt Snell scored the only touchdown for the Jets in the Super Bowl. Namath completed 17 passes for 206 yards, threw no touchdowns or interceptions, and was still named Super Bowl MVP, despite not throwing or scoring a touchdown.
28) Johnny Unitas (V)
Unitas is a legendary quarterback, who helped the Baltimore Colts win back-to-back NFL championships, in 1958 and 1959. Unitas came up short of a Super Bowl championship in 1968 when his Colts were upset by Joe Namath’s Jets. By 1970, Unitas and the Colts played a very strong season and reached Super Bowl V. Unfortunately, Unitas didn’t finish the game due to a rib injury after he threw a 75-yard touchdown pass. Backup quarterback Earl Morrall stepped in and finished the game. Unitas also had two interceptions in the game despite the Colts winning 16-13 over Tom Landry’s Dallas Cowboys. Unitas ended his football career in 1973 with one forgettable season, with the San Diego Chargers, and retired from football after that.
27) Jeff Hosteler (XXV)
Hosteler does have a Super Bowl XXI championship, but Phil Simms played in that game and helped the Giants win that game 39-20 over John Elway’s Denver Broncos. Hosteler did play in Super Bowl XXV against the Buffalo Bills, as Simms suffered a broken foot against the Bills, oddly enough in week 15. Hosteler played all right, as he threw for 222 yards and threw a touchdown pass against an interception. Hosteler’s teammate, Ottis Anderson, won the Super Bowl MVP with his 102 rushing yards on 21 carries and his lone rushing touchdown.
26) Brad Johnson (XXXVII)
Johnson’s Super Bowl performance is mostly overshadowed by the performance of Jon Gruden’s Buccaneers’ defense, in Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders. Johnson threw two touchdowns (both to Keenan McCardell) against one interception. On defense, Dwight Smith scored two pick-sixes and Derrick Brooks scored a pick-six as the Bucs clobbered the Raiders 48-21. Johnson never had a good statistical season after winning the Super Bowl and was released by the Buccaneers after the 2004 season.
25) Ben Roethlisberger (XL, XLIII)
Yes, Ben Roethlisberger did lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to two Super Bowl victories. However, he threw more interceptions than he did touchdowns, in both of those Super Bowls combined. In Super Bowl XL, Roethlisberger did score a rushing touchdown, but he threw an interception against no touchdown passes. Antwaan Randle-El, who used to be the quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers, threw a touchdown pass to Super Bowl MVP. In Super Bowl XLIII, Roethlisberger threw a touchdown against an interception, and that touchdown was to eventual Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes. Roethlisberger did make it to Super Bowl XLV, but he and the Steelers lost to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
24) Ken Stabler (XI)
Stabler is remembered for winning Super Bowl XI, with the Oakland Raiders against Fran Tarkenton’s Minnesota Vikings. Stabler threw one touchdown against no interceptions in the game while his teammate, Pete Banaszak, had 19 rushing yards on 10 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns. However, throughout Stabler’s career, he threw more interceptions (222) than touchdowns (194) and is still a Hall of Famer. Still, having a Super Bowl championship on a résumé is an accomplishment that most QB’s will only dream about.
23) Nick Foles (LII)
The 2017 Philadelphia Eagles were arguably one of the best teams assembled in the league. During the regular season, Carson Wentz was having an MVP-like season with 33 touchdowns against seven interceptions. However, an ACL injury derailed that for Wentz. Backup quarterback Nick Foles stepped up and helped the Eagles defeat the favored New England Patriots, in Super Bowl LII. Foles threw three touchdowns against one interception. He is however known for arguably the best trick play of all time, the iconic Philly Special, where Trey Burton threw Foles a touchdown pass. After that Super Bowl, Foles returned to the backup role and bounced around the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, the Chicago Bears from 2020 to 2021, and recently the Indianapolis Colts in 2022.
22) Mark Rypien (XXVI)
After years of backing up Doug Williams, Rypien had a very good 1991 season, leading Washington to a strong 37-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Rypien threw two touchdowns against one interception in the big dance and won MVP, as a result of his performance. The immediate season after, Rypien threw 13 touchdowns against 17 interceptions. After two more seasons with Washington, Rypien had stints with the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, and Indianapolis Colts, and never played another down in the NFL. He was cut by the Seattle Seahawks before the 2002 regular season began.
21) Doug Williams (XXII)
Williams won Super Bowl XXII with Washington 42-10 against the Denver Broncos. Williams won MVP for his 340 passing yards and three touchdowns against one interception, in the game. Williams suffered injuries in 1989 and was replaced by Mark Rypien who eventually won Super Bowl XXVI against the Buffalo Bills. Williams retired from playing football after the 1989 season and is currently an advisor for the Commanders.
20) Phil Simms (XXI)
Phil Simms may not be a Hall of Famer, but he did have some great performances with the New York Giants. Simms’ Super Bowl XXI performance against the Denver Broncos where he completed 22 passes for 268 yards, threw three touchdowns against no interceptions, and earned Super Bowl MVP for it. Simms had a great 1990 season until a foot injury in week 15 against the Buffalo Bills, thrusting Jeff Hosteler to finish the season and win Super Bowl XXV against the Bills 20-19.
19) Russell Wilson (XLVIII)
Wilson entered the NFL as a third-round draft pick and immediately took the league by storm, with his incredible offensive awareness in 2012, while the Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” defense caused havoc against opposing offenses. In 2013, Wilson and the Seahawks punched their ticket to Super Bowl XLVIII and bulldozed the Denver Broncos from the first snap. Wilson threw two touchdowns against no interceptions but wasn’t named Super Bowl MVP. Linebacker Malcolm Smith was named MVP for his 69-yard pick-six against Peyton Manning. Wilson did return to Super Bowl XLIX with the Seahawks the following year but lost on the one-yard line to Malcolm Butler and the New England Patriots. Wilson hasn’t been back to a Super Bowl ever since.
18) Joe Flacco (XLVII)
When Flacco entered the league, he brought the Ravens to the playoffs in his first four seasons, which resulted in coming up short. In Flacco’s fifth year, along with the help of the elite Ravens’ defense, Flacco and the Ravens punched their ticket to the Super Bowl. Flacco completed 22 passes for 287 yards, threw three touchdowns against no interceptions, and was named Super Bowl MVP. After Super Bowl XLVII, Flacco made the playoffs with the Ravens, once in the 2014 season, before getting knocked out in the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots. Flacco was released by the Ravens in 2019 where he had stints with the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, and recently the Cleveland Browns where he won Comeback Player of the Year in 2023.
17) Bob Griese (VII, VIII)
After losing Super Bowl VI to the Dallas Cowboys, Griese became enshrined in Super Bowl lore, as he was on the historic undefeated Miami Dolphins team, that won Super Bowl VII. Griese never won Super Bowl MVP in any of those games. In Super Bowl VII, Grieses threw one touchdown against an interception, while safety Jake Scout was named MVP. In Super Bowl VIII, Griese didn’t throw any touchdowns or interceptions, and fullback Larry Csonka was named MVP. After those two Super Bowls, Griese never made it back to the big dance and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
16) Brett Favre (XXXI)
Brett Favre’s lone Super Bowl championship, is one for the ages, as he brought the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown since Bart Starr did it back in 1967 in Super Bowl II. However, Favre was not named Super Bowl MVP despite his 246 passing yards and throwing two touchdowns against no interceptions. Former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard was named MVP for his 99-yard kick return for a touchdown. Favre did return to Super Bowl XXXII, but he and the Packers lost to John Elway and the Denver Broncos. Favre never returned to the big dance, since.
15) Aaron Rodgers (XLV)
With Brett Favre no longer a Green Bay Packer, the Packers were in good hands when Aaron Rodgers took the helm. Rodgers led the Packers to Super Bowl XLV where they defeated Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25. Rodgers was spectacular as he threw three touchdowns against no interceptions. After this Super Bowl, Rodgers tried getting back to the big dance with no luck as he was knocked out of the NFC Championship game four times. Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets in 2023 but tore his Achilles in four plays in his Jets debut. Hopefully, Rodgers and the Jets find a way to potentially reach the Super Bowl in 2024.
14) Matthew Stafford (LVI)
After 12 tough years with the Detroit Lions, Matthew Stafford was traded to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff. With the help of the Rams’ defense, Stafford helped the Rams win Super LVI 23-20 over Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. Stafford threw three touchdowns against two interceptions, but Cooper Kupp was named Super Bowl MVP for his eight receptions for 92 receiving yards and two touchdowns. When Stafford retires from his great career, he’ll always be a Super Bowl champion no matter what people say.
13) Kurt Warner (XXXIV)
Warner’s amazing career kicked off after he was called off the bench when Trent Green went down with an ACL injury. Warner led the “Greatest Show on Turf” St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl XXXIV victory over the Tennessee Titans, and was named Super Bowl MVP for his 24 completions for 414 yards and threw two touchdowns against no interceptions. Warner and the Rams returned to the Super Bowl only to fall 17-20 to the upcoming New England Patriots. Rams joined the New York Giants in 2004, and then the Arizona Cardinals in 2005. Warner did lead the Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII only to lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers 23-27. Warner retired from playing football after the 2009 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
12) Steve Young (XXIX)
Young was a part of the 49ers’ Super Bowl XXIII and XXIV championship teams but was Joe Montana’s backup. After Montana was injured in the 1991 season, Young got his start and didn’t look back. Young led the 49ers to Super Bowl XXIX, where they won 49-26 against the San Diego Chargers. Young was named MVP for his outstanding 24 completions for 325 yards and six touchdowns against no interceptions. After that amazing Super Bowl performance, Young and the 49ers never returned to the big dance and retired after suffering a concussion, thrusting backup Jeff Garcia to take over. Young was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
11) Len Dawson (IV)
Before Patrick Mahomes, there was Len Dawson. Dawson is an AFL hero, who helped the Chiefs win three AFL championships in 1962, 1966, and 1969. Dawson led the Chiefs to Super Bowl I where they ended up losing 10-35 to Bart Starr’s Green Bay Packers. Dawson and the Chiefs reached Super Bowl IV where they outplayed and outshined the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings, 23-7. Dawson completed 12 passes for 142 yards and threw one touchdown against one interception. Dawson was named Super Bowl MVP, once again, showing the AFL was just as competitive as their NFL counterparts like Joe Namath and the New York Jets, a year prior against the Baltimore Colts.
10) Roger Staubach (VI, XII)
Staubach reached the Super Bowl five times with the help of the legendary Tom Landry, as his head coach, but was only able to win two of those Super Bowls. The best Super Bowl Staubach played in was Super Bowl VI against the Miami Dolphins where he completed 12 passes for 119 yards and threw two touchdowns against no interceptions. Staubach was named Super Bowl MVP for his performance on the field.
9) Bart Starr (I, II)
Starr is a Green Bay Packers icon, who helped from the Packers dynasty of the 1960s with legendary head coach Vince Lombardi. Starr helped the Packers win five NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls. The best Super Bowl performance from Starr came in the inaugural Super Bowl, where he completed 16 passes for 250 yards, threw two touchdowns against one interception, and was named Super Bowl MVP as a result. In that game, Starr showed the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs why the NFL was the superior league, at the time.
8) Drew Brees (XLIV)
Even though Drew Brees and the Saints only reached one Super Bowl together, this game sealed Brees’s icon status, as he became a hero to the city of New Orleans, over four years after Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the area in 2005. Brees completed 32 passes for 288 yards, threw two touchdowns against no interceptions, in his dual against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, and was named Super Bowl MVP as a result. It stings that Brees and the Saints never made it back to the Super Bowl, but winning Super Bowl XLIV signaled the city’s recovery and healed the wounds to an entire city- that was all that mattered.
7) Troy Aikman (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
After Tom Landry was fired, by then-new-coming Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, the Cowboys made drastic changes. Troy Aikman was drafted in 1989 and helped form the 1990s Cowboys dynasty, with head coaches Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer. Out of the three Super Bowls Aikman won, his best Super Bowl performance came in Super Bowl XXVII, where his Cowboys demolished the Buffalo Bills 52-17. Aikman completed 22 passes for 273 yards, threw four touchdowns against no interceptions, and was named Super Bowl MVP. Aikman never won Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowls XXVIII and XXX, as his teammates Emmitt Smith and Larry Brown earned MVP, respectively in those games. Aikman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 for all he accomplished in the 1990s.
6) Terry Bradshaw (IX, X, XIII, XIV)
Bradshaw was a part of the legendary Steelers dynasty that won four Super Bowls. Bradshaw’s best Super Bowl performance came in Super Bowl XIII, where he threw for 318 yards, threw four touchdowns against one interception, and was named Super Bowl MVP, as a result. In the following Super Bowl, Bradshaw threw for 309 yards, threw two touchdowns against three interceptions, and was still named MVP as a result. Either way, there would be no Steelers dynasty if Bradshaw wasn’t a part of those iconic teams in the 1970s. Bradshaw was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
5) Eli Manning (XLII, XLVI)
Eli Manning’s Super Bowl journey began when he and his Giants were 12-point underdogs to the New England Patriots. Manning played an incredible game as he threw two touchdowns against one interception, and was named Super Bowl MVP for it. The most memorable thing from Super Bowl XLII was Manning throwing the famous “Helmet Catch” to David Tyree, as he avoided getting sacked. It was a true David conquering Goliath moment for Manning. Manning and the Giants made it back to Super Bowl XLVI and defeated who else, the New England Patriots, as they failed to come back after Ahmad Bradshaw scored the game-winning touchdown. Manning was named the MVP for that game, as he threw a touchdown against no interceptions. After the two Super Bowl victories, Manning only made the playoffs once and retired from football, after the 2019 season.
4) Peyton Manning (XLI, 50)
Before Manning won Super Bowl XLI, Manning ran into two very physical and very elite New England Patriots teams that prevented his Colts from reaching the Big Dance, in 2003 and 2004 respectively. In 2006, Manning got over the hump and won Super Bowl XLI against a very gritty Chicago Bears team. His performance in Super Bowl XLI earned him MVP. Manning returned to Super Bowl XLIV, but lost to Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. After missing the 2011 season due to neck surgery, Manning signed with the Denver Broncos and led them to Super Bowl XLVIII, but lost to the Seattle Seahawks 8-43. Manning helped the Broncos reach Super Bowl 50 and helped the team win 24-10 despite the “No Fly Zone” defense doing most of the work. Manning retired a champion immediately after Super Bowl 50.
3) Patrick Mahomes (LIV, LVII, LVIII)
Mahomes just made the Kansas City Chiefs a dynasty, with the team’s most recent Super Bowl LVIII win, over the San Francisco 49ers. However, arguably his best Super Bowl performance, so far, was his performance in Super Bowl LVII, where he completed 21 passes for 182 yards and threw three touchdowns against no interceptions. With the Chiefs officially a dynasty in the post-Tom Brady era, Mahomes is only getting started, as he and the Chiefs will potentially win more Super Bowls in the years to come.
2) Joe Montana (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV)
Joe “Cool” Montana came into the 1980s, destined to win. His most outstanding Super Bowl performance came in Super Bowl XIX, where he had 24 passes for 331 yards and threw three touchdowns against no interceptions as the San Francisco 49ers defeated Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins 38-16. Montana goes down as one of the greatest Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks of all time, with his four Super Bowl wins.
1) Tom Brady (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII)
Was it going to be anyone else, TB12 made 10 Super Bowl appearances and won seven of those appearances. Brady’s best Super Bowl, with the Patriots, came from Super Bowl LI when he and the Pats came back from being down, 28-3 against the Atlanta Falcons, while the Super Bowl that solidified his GOAT status, was his Super LV victory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the Kansas City Chiefs. Brady’s records remain untouchable, and will very likely stay that way, for years to come.
