Sadly, not every great quarterback gets their perfect ending. Over the years, some have dazzled fans with their skills but never secured the ultimate prize. Still, their impact on the game remains undeniable. Sourced from Bleacher Report, here are 15 of the best QBs who never won a Super Bowl during their playing days.
Dan Marino (1983–1999)
Dan Marino is arguably the most famous quarterback on this list, with 61,361 career passing yards ranking him among the top five all-time leaders and 420 touchdown passes. Despite never claiming a Super Bowl, Marino’s 1984 MVP season, when he passed for 5,084 yards, puts him on the list of “the best.”
Fran Tarkenton (1961–1978)
Few quarterbacks could extend plays like Fran Tarkenton during his play-time for the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants. Fran finished with a strong 124-114-6 record and threw 342 touchdown passes with a completion percentage of 57.0%. His career passing for over 47,003 yards set a record when he retired in 1978.
Jim Kelly (1986–1996)
Leading the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, Jim Kelly had one of the most successful runs in the NFL. Despite his heartbreaking losses at these Super Bowls, Kelly’s career totals of 35,467 passing yards and 237 touchdowns remain impressive, with his exceptional no-huddle offense.
Philip Rivers (2004–2020)
Rivers played 16 seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers before moving to the Indianapolis Colts, where he finished his career. He racked up 63,440 passing yards, which placed him among the top 10 in this category. Holding the top second spot for consecutive starts by a quarterback (240), Rivers was consistently effective, even though he never played in a Super Bowl.
Warren Moon (1984–2000)
After being overlooked by the NFL, Moon spent six years in the CFL before joining the Houston Oilers in 1984. Over his career, he led the league in passing yards twice, and his career completion percentage of 58.4% highlights his accuracy. Moon never claimed a ring, but his career record of 49,325 passing yards speaks volumes about his skill as a quarterback.
Randall Cunningham (1985–2001)
Randall Cunningham, one of the NFL’s original dual-threat QBs, combined his passing skills with great running ability. Cunningham was a skilled quarterback with over 29,000 passing yards and more than 4,900 rushing yards. Playing majorly with the Eagles and Vikings, he had several deep playoff runs but never made it to the Super Bowl.
Boomer Esiason (1984–1997)
As one of the top passers of his time, Boomer Esiason finished his career with 37,920 passing yards. The 1988 NFL MVP led the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and maintained a solid playoff record. Despite coming within minutes of victory, a last-minute drive by Joe Montana keeps Esiason on this list.
Matt Ryan (2008–2022)
Matt Ryan’s career stats tell a story of excellence. His 62,792 passing yards rank seventh all-time, and his 381 touchdowns place him among the best in NFL history. Spending most of his career with the Atlanta Falcons, he won an MVP in 2016 and ended with a career completion percentage of 65.6%.
Steve McNair (1995–2007)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair was co-MVP in 2003. He threw for over 34,000 yards in his career, and fans respect him for his leadership skills and resilience in the game. McNair led the Tennessee Titans to the Super Bowl in 1999, coming just one yard short of a game-tying touchdown.
Bobby Layne (1948–1962)
Bobby Layne was a three-time NFL champion, but those titles came long before the Super Bowl era. Known primarily for his time with the Detroit Lions, Layne finished his career with 26,768 passing yards and an 89-58-6 record, according to StatMuse. This makes him one of the most effective quarterbacks in NFL history.
Roman Gabriel (1962–1977)
A strong-armed quarterback, Roman Gabriel, who played for the Rams and Eagles, finished his career with 201 touchdowns. Roman was named MVP in 1969 and finished his career with 29,444 passing yards. Despite leading several strong teams, Gabriel never reached the Super Bowl, but his consistency earned him a place among the greats.
Ken Anderson (1971–1986)
Ken Anderson spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance in 1982. Though the Bengals lost to the 49ers, Anderson’s career was notable for its accuracy and efficiency. He topped the league four times in passer rating and finished his career with an 81.9 rating.
Michael Vick (2001–2015)
Michael Vick is perhaps the most electrifying player on this list. Known for his speed, Vick was the first quarterback to gain more than 1,000 yards on the ground in a season. He also rushed for 6,109 yards, the most ever by a quarterback. Even without a Super Bowl win, he ranks among the best.
Donovan McNabb (1999–2011)
Donovan McNabb led the Philadelphia Eagles to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl but fell short of winning a title. With a strong arm, he amassed 37,276 passing yards and 234 touchdowns over his career. Though he never won it all, his consistency was critical to the Eagles’ success in the 2000s.
Dan Fouts (1973–1987)
This list would not be complete without Dan Fouts, who retired with 43,040 career passing yards and 254 touchdowns. Fouts’ ability to rack up yards helped him top the passing yards chart in the league four times. His contributions to the San Diego Chargers’ team earned him a place in the Hall of Fame.
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