Ranking the Worst Quarterbacks to Ever Win a Super Bowl
The NFL is full of iconic quarterbacks who have etched their names in history with memorable Super Bowl performances. Legends like Tom Brady, Joe Montana, and Peyton Manning are all considered some of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. However, there are instances where a quarterback wins a Super Bowl not necessarily through remarkable individual performance but more as a result of a solid supporting cast or stellar team defense. These quarterbacks might not be regarded as elite players in NFL history, but they still have the Super Bowl ring to prove they’ve “risen to the moment.”
Here are some of the worst quarterbacks to ever win a Super Bowl:
1. Trent Dilfer (Super Bowl XXXV)
Trent Dilfer is often considered one of the least impressive quarterbacks to ever win a Super Bowl. Leading the Baltimore Ravens to victory in Super Bowl XXXV, Dilfer’s performance during the postseason was far from spectacular. In fact, it was the Ravens’ historically dominant defense that carried them to the title, with Dilfer doing just enough to avoid mistakes. His 1,500 passing yards and 12 touchdowns during the 2000 regular season are hardly the numbers of a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback, and his performance in the big game, where he threw for just 153 yards and one touchdown, cemented his place as one of the least accomplished quarterbacks to claim a championship.
2. Brad Johnson (Super Bowl XXXVII)
Brad Johnson’s Super Bowl victory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003 is another example of a quarterback winning the big game without being a standout performer. Johnson wasn’t terrible by any means, but he certainly wasn’t a superstar. He finished the 2002 season with only 22 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, which is relatively average for a starting quarterback. In Super Bowl XXXVII, Johnson threw for just 154 yards and one touchdown while benefiting from a Buccaneers defense that created five turnovers. His performance certainly wasn’t the reason Tampa Bay won the title.
3. Joe Flacco (Super Bowl XLVII)
Joe Flacco’s Super Bowl win in 2013 with the Baltimore Ravens is often debated. While Flacco earned Super Bowl MVP honors, his overall career doesn’t reflect the level of consistency that many would expect from a champion quarterback. His postseason run in 2012 was incredible, with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions, but his regular-season numbers were never truly elite. Flacco’s career has been marked by inconsistency, and while he had a great Super Bowl performance with three touchdowns and no turnovers, his career as a whole doesn’t rank among the greats.
4. Nick Foles (Super Bowl LII)
Nick Foles is the ultimate example of a quarterback who benefited from the right situation at the right time. In Super Bowl LII, Foles led the Philadelphia Eagles to a thrilling victory over the New England Patriots, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. However, Foles had a relatively average NFL career and was never considered an elite quarterback. He stepped in for an injured Carson Wentz and delivered a legendary performance in the big game, but outside of that one postseason run, Foles struggled to establish himself as a starting quarterback for any length of time.
5. Jeff Hostetler (Super Bowl XXV)
Jeff Hostetler was another quarterback who benefited from a strong defense and solid team play in Super Bowl XXV, where he led the New York Giants to victory over the Buffalo Bills. Hostetler took over as the starting quarterback after an injury to Phil Simms, and while he was solid, he didn’t exactly light up the field. He threw for only 222 yards in the Super Bowl and wasn’t known for his spectacular arm or playmaking ability. Hostetler’s Super Bowl win was more a product of the Giants’ overall team effort, especially their defense, than it was his individual brilliance.
Conclusion
While these quarterbacks each earned a Super Bowl ring, none of them are considered legendary by NFL standards. In some cases, it was their team’s defense, or another unit, that carried them to victory. These players proved that sometimes, winning a Super Bowl is more about rising to the moment than about having a Hall of Fame-worthy career. While they may not be remembered as the best to ever play the position, their Super Bowl rings remain a part of NFL history.
