To win a Super Bowl, you have to be pretty talented. After all, only so many starting quarterbacks have ever won the big game. However, some are far more talented than others. Here are all of the Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks ranked based on both career performance and performances in the big game itself.
31. Jeff Hostetler
Getty ImagesHostetler didn't have a great NFL career, although he did make the Pro Bowl a few seasons after winning the Super Bowl. He only started two regular-season games for the Giants in 1990, but was forced into duty in the Super Bowl and played well enough to win. Surely, the highlight of his career came in that game.
Year(s), Team(s): 1990, New York Giants.
Hostetler didn't have a great NFL career, although he did make the Pro Bowl a few seasons after winning the Super Bowl. He only started two regular-season games for the Giants in 1990, but was forced into duty in the Super Bowl and played well enough to win. Surely, the highlight of his career came in that game.
30. Trent Dilfer
Getty Images
Dilfer was an average quarterback at best during his career, but climbed the mountaintop in 2000. However, the Ravens did this behind one of the best defenses in NFL history. Therefore, he didn't have to do much in order for them to win. Still, he embraced the game manager role and rode it all the way to the title.
Year(s), Team(s): 2000, Baltimore Ravens.
Dilfer was an average quarterback at best during his career, but climbed the mountaintop in 2000. However, the Ravens did this behind one of the best defenses in NFL history. Therefore, he didn't have to do much in order for them to win. Still, he embraced the game manager role and rode it all the way to the title.
29. Brad Johnson
Getty ImagesBrad Johnson came from the same game manager mode, but could also make plays when he had to every now and then. He always seemed better served in a backup role, but as the starter for the Buccaneers during the 2002 season, he stepped up. Tampa Bay also had an incredible defense, which was largely credited with helping win the Super Bowl over a decade ago.
Year(s), Team(s): 2002, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brad Johnson came from the same game manager mode, but could also make plays when he had to every now and then. He always seemed better served in a backup role, but as the starter for the Buccaneers during the 2002 season, he stepped up. Tampa Bay also had an incredible defense, which was largely credited with helping win the Super Bowl over a decade ago.
28. Joe Flacco
Tommy Gilligan, USA Today SportsFlacco has a chance to climb this list, but for now, his lone Super Bowl was his one strong playoff run. Since then, he hasn't been nearly the same player. With his big contract and expectations, his average play has seemed even worse.
Year(s), Team(s): 2012, Baltimore Ravens.
Flacco has a chance to climb this list, but for now, his lone Super Bowl was his one strong playoff run. Since then, he hasn't been nearly the same player. With his big contract and expectations, his average play has seemed even worse.
27. Russell Wilson
Getty ImagesWilson's career is young, so it's impressive he's already played in two Super Bowls, but it's hard to put him any higher than this right now. He's smart enough to keep his team in most games and that will win the Seahawks plenty of games over the years. Look for him to add another Super Bowl or two to his resume before it's all said and done.
Year(s), Team(s): 2013, Seattle Seahawks.
Wilson's career is young, so it's impressive he's already played in two Super Bowls, but it's hard to put him any higher than this right now. He's smart enough to keep his team in most games and that will win the Seahawks plenty of games over the years. Look for him to add another Super Bowl or two to his resume before it's all said and done.
26. Doug Williams
Getty ImagesWhile winning multiple Super Bowl titles, the Redskins haven't had many mainstay quarterbacks. Williams wasn't a great quarterback by any means, but he was very good in 1987 when Washington won it all. Of course, running back John Riggins put the team on his back, but Williams also did enough to help them win it all.
Year(s), Team(s): 1987, Washington Redskins.
While winning multiple Super Bowl titles, the Redskins haven't had many mainstay quarterbacks. Williams wasn't a great quarterback by any means, but he was very good in 1987 when Washington won it all. Of course, running back John Riggins put the team on his back, but Williams also did enough to help them win it all.
25. Ken Stabler
Getty ImagesStabler, the late Raiders legend, was a leader on and off the field for the Raiders. That culminated in a Super Bowl during the 1976 season (for the Super Bowl played in 1977). The lefty was huge in the big game, helping his franchise to their first ever Super Bowl win.
Year(s), Team(s): 1976, Oakland Raiders.
Stabler, the late Raiders legend, was a leader on and off the field for the Raiders. That culminated in a Super Bowl during the 1976 season (for the Super Bowl played in 1977). The lefty was huge in the big game, helping his franchise to their first ever Super Bowl win.
24. Mark Rypien
Getty ImagesRypien is another above average (but not great) quarterback to win a Super Bowl with the Redskins. He was part of the first wave of successful game managers and was rewarded for it. Washington, for its part, was rewarded with a Super Bowl.
Year(s), Team(s): 1981, Washington Redskins.
Rypien is another above average (but not great) quarterback to win a Super Bowl with the Redskins. He was part of the first wave of successful game managers and was rewarded for it. Washington, for its part, was rewarded with a Super Bowl.
23. Jim McMahon
Getty ImagesMcMahon was one of the best quarterbacks in Bears history, but that's not saying much. He was also always hurt while in Chicago. However, when he was healthy, he was good enough to help win games. The Bears' vaunted 1985 defense obviously was largely the reason they won it all in 1985, but McMahon wasn't too shabby either.
Year(s), Team(s): 1985, Chicago Bears.
McMahon was one of the best quarterbacks in Bears history, but that's not saying much. He was also always hurt while in Chicago. However, when he was healthy, he was good enough to help win games. The Bears' vaunted 1985 defense obviously was largely the reason they won it all in 1985, but McMahon wasn't too shabby either.
22. Jim Plunkett
Getty ImagesPlunkett is one of the most underrated quarterbacks of his time as most don't realize he won two Super Bowls during his playing career. Interestingly, he also did it in two different cities for the Raiders. His rocket arm helped propel them to those two wins and he won MVP honors in his first contest.
Year(s), Team(s): 1980, 1983, Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.
Plunkett is one of the most underrated quarterbacks of his time as most don't realize he won two Super Bowls during his playing career. Interestingly, he also did it in two different cities for the Raiders. His rocket arm helped propel them to those two wins and he won MVP honors in his first contest.
21. Drew Brees
Getty ImagesBrees is one of the most prolific passers of all time and his Super Bowl winning season was one of the most inspiring in NFL history. Just a few short years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, he led the city's football team all the way to the Super Bowl in one of the best games in the event's history. For that reason, he will always be remembered.
Year(s), Team(s): 2009, New Orleans Saints.
Brees is one of the most prolific passers of all time and his Super Bowl winning season was one of the most inspiring in NFL history. Just a few short years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, he led the city's football team all the way to the Super Bowl in one of the best games in the event's history. For that reason, he will always be remembered.
20. Bob Griese
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY SportsGriese was at the helm during the Dolphins' undefeated 1972 season and was also there the following year when they won their second straight Super Bowl. Historically, Griese is relatively overrated, but his contributions to those two Super Bowl teams were still significant.
Year(s), Team(s): 1972, 1973, Miami Dolphins.
Griese was at the helm during the Dolphins' undefeated 1972 season and was also there the following year when they won their second straight Super Bowl. Historically, Griese is relatively overrated, but his contributions to those two Super Bowl teams were still significant.
19. Joe Theismann
Getty ImagesTheismann was one of the best to put on a Redskins uniform. Part of the reason why he is remembered so fondly is because of his Super Bowl title. Unfortunately, he's also remembered for snapping his leg in the gruesome injury against the Giants, which ended his career.
Year(s), Team(s): 1982, Washington Redskins.
Theismann was one of the best to put on a Redskins uniform. Part of the reason why he is remembered so fondly is because of his Super Bowl title. Unfortunately, he's also remembered for snapping his leg in the gruesome injury against the Giants, which ended his career.
18. Kurt Warner
Getty ImagesKurt Warner is one of the most remarkable stories in NFL history. He didn't even enter the NFL right away, playing in the Arena Football League initially. Then, he made his way into the league and played in three different Super Bowls for two different teams. He won on the first of those three tries with the Rams and should be a Hall of Famer.
Year(s), Team(s): 2000, St. Louis Rams.
Kurt Warner is one of the most remarkable stories in NFL history. He didn't even enter the NFL right away, playing in the Arena Football League initially. Then, he made his way into the league and played in three different Super Bowls for two different teams. He won on the first of those three tries with the Rams and should be a Hall of Famer.
17. Steve Young
Getty ImagesYoung only won one Super Bowl, but he was part of some more with San Fran as a backup. His time sitting behind Joe Montana served him well as the lefty helped lead the team to a Super Bowl title.
Year(s), Team(s): 1994, San Francisco 49ers.
Young only won one Super Bowl, but he was part of some more with San Fran as a backup. His time sitting behind Joe Montana served him well as the lefty helped lead the team to a Super Bowl title.
16. Eli Manning
Getty ImagesManning's career has been a roller-coaster ride, but when the lights are brightest, he shows up to play. Both seasons in which the Giants won the Super Bowl with him at the helm, they weren't a great regular season team, but stepped up in the playoffs. A lot of that is thanks to Eli, who will likely retire with more Super Bowl wins than his more talented brother.
Year(s), Team(s): 2007, 2011, New York Giants.
Manning's career has been a roller-coaster ride, but when the lights are brightest, he shows up to play. Both seasons in which the Giants won the Super Bowl with him at the helm, they weren't a great regular season team, but stepped up in the playoffs. A lot of that is thanks to Eli, who will likely retire with more Super Bowl wins than his more talented brother.
15. Aaron Rodgers
Getty ImagesRodgers has only won one Super Bowl in his career so far, but you get the sense he's only getting started. Some of the things he can do on a football field are unmatched by everyone else in the league. Assuming he has about eight years left in the league, he has several more cracks at winning it all.
Year(s), Team(s): 2010, Green Bay Packers.
Rodgers has only won one Super Bowl in his career so far, but you get the sense he's only getting started. Some of the things he can do on a football field are unmatched by everyone else in the league. Assuming he has about eight years left in the league, he has several more cracks at winning it all.
14. Len Dawson
Getty ImagesWhile the Chiefs got close to winning the Super Bowl early on, they didn't break through until Super Bowl IV with Dawson at the helm. He was masterful in that season, in that game and really throughout the course of his brilliant Hall of Fame career.
Year(s), Team(s): 1969, Kansas City Chiefs.
While the Chiefs got close to winning the Super Bowl early on, they didn't break through until Super Bowl IV with Dawson at the helm. He was masterful in that season, in that game and really throughout the course of his brilliant Hall of Fame career.
13. Ben Roethlisberger
Getty ImagesBig Ben already has two Super Bowl victories and three appearances and he will have a couple more chances before he hangs up the spikes. His team's offense looks incredible right now and could even surprise some people this season if they sneak into the playoffs.
Year(s), Team(s): 2005, 2008, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Big Ben already has two Super Bowl victories and three appearances and he will have a couple more chances before he hangs up the spikes. His team's offense looks incredible right now and could even surprise some people this season if they sneak into the playoffs.
12. Peyton Manning
Getty ImagesManning is a top five quarterback of all time, but he places further down on this list because of his playoff shortcomings. His one Super Bowl is disappointing given how many dominant Colts teams he played on, but he still can't be denied as one of the best to play the position. We'll see how Super Bowl 50 shakes out for him.
Year(s), Team(s): 2006, Indianapolis Colts.
Manning is a top five quarterback of all time, but he places further down on this list because of his playoff shortcomings. His one Super Bowl is disappointing given how many dominant Colts teams he played on, but he still can't be denied as one of the best to play the position. We'll see how Super Bowl 50 shakes out for him.
11. Phil Simms
Getty ImagesSimms, on the other hand, seemed to make the most of his opportunities while with the Giants. His lone Super Bowl was one of the best runs in franchise history and helped cement him as one of the greatest players to ever suit up for the blue and red.
Year(s), Team(s): 1986, New York Giants.
Simms, on the other hand, seemed to make the most of his opportunities while with the Giants. His lone Super Bowl was one of the best runs in franchise history and helped cement him as one of the greatest players to ever suit up for the blue and red.
10. Troy Aikman
Getty ImagesMost people recognize what a great quarterback Aikman was, but many forget that he won three Super Bowls. The fact he did that in the course of four seasons is even more impressive. Essentially, he's Tom Brady without the impressiveness of the second half of Brady's career.
Year(s), Team(s): 1992, 1993, 1995, Dallas Cowboys.
Most people recognize what a great quarterback Aikman was, but many forget that he won three Super Bowls. The fact he did that in the course of four seasons is even more impressive. Essentially, he's Tom Brady without the impressiveness of the second half of Brady's career.
9. Johnny Unitas
Getty ImagesUnitas is one of the all-time greats and just barely played into the Super Bowl era. It's nice that he was able to win a Super Bowl after being so dominant under the old AFL/NFL format. Forever, he will be remembered as one of the most skilled passers in the league's history.
Year(s), Team(s): 1970, Baltimore Colts.
Unitas is one of the all-time greats and just barely played into the Super Bowl era. It's nice that he was able to win a Super Bowl after being so dominant under the old AFL/NFL format. Forever, he will be remembered as one of the most skilled passers in the league's history.
8. Roger Staubach
Getty ImagesSome of the greatest Cowboys teams of all time were quarterbacked by Roger Staubach, an all-time great. His Super Bowls were spread out, so he didn't seem as dominant as some of the other guys on this list, but he was simply one of the best to ever play the game. His improvisation skills were second to none and that helped him win the Super Bowl MVP award on his first try.
Year(s), Team(s): 1971, 1977, Dallas Cowboys.
Some of the greatest Cowboys teams of all time were quarterbacked by Roger Staubach, an all-time great. His Super Bowls were spread out, so he didn't seem as dominant as some of the other guys on this list, but he was simply one of the best to ever play the game. His improvisation skills were second to none and that helped him win the Super Bowl MVP award on his first try.
7. Bart Starr
Getty ImagesHow can anyone forget the winning quarterback of the first two Super Bowls in history? He was one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever live and has a special place in history because of the time in which he played. Now, he's a living legend that will never be forgotten.
Year(s), Team(s): 1966, 1967, Green Bay Packers.
How can anyone forget the winning quarterback of the first two Super Bowls in history? He was one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever live and has a special place in history because of the time in which he played. Now, he's a living legend that will never be forgotten.
6. Joe Namath
Getty ImagesStatistically, Namath is one of the most overrated quarterbacks in NFL history. However, his impact on the long-term health of the NFL is what gets him so high on this list. He took the AFL's Jets against the NFL's Colts and guaranteed a victory before delivering a shocking performance to win it for the AFL. This legitimized that league and led to the merger, which helped turn the modern NFL into what it still is.
Year(s), Team(s): 1968, New York Jets.
Statistically, Namath is one of the most overrated quarterbacks in NFL history. However, his impact on the long-term health of the NFL is what gets him so high on this list. He took the AFL's Jets against the NFL's Colts and guaranteed a victory before delivering a shocking performance to win it for the AFL. This legitimized that league and led to the merger, which helped turn the modern NFL into what it still is.
5. Brett Favre
Getty ImagesFavre isn't traditionally known as a great playoff quarterback, but he did win one Super Bowl and was extremely successful during the regular season. He was inventive at the position and helped revolutionize it in many ways. It's no wonder the Packers decided to retire his number earlier this season.
Year(s), Team(s): 1996, Green Bay Packers.
Favre isn't traditionally known as a great playoff quarterback, but he did win one Super Bowl and was extremely successful during the regular season. He was inventive at the position and helped revolutionize it in many ways. It's no wonder the Packers decided to retire his number earlier this season.
4. John Elway
Getty ImagesThere's something to be said about a quarterback who perseveres and doesn't give up. Elway ended up at the end of his career thinking he might never win a Super Bowl, but he kept fighting. Of course, he ended up winning the Super Bowl in his final two seasons and went out on top, the way so few are able to do.
Year(s), Team(s): 1997, 1998, Denver Broncos.
There's something to be said about a quarterback who perseveres and doesn't give up. Elway ended up at the end of his career thinking he might never win a Super Bowl, but he kept fighting. Of course, he ended up winning the Super Bowl in his final two seasons and went out on top, the way so few are able to do.
3. Terry Bradshaw
Getty ImagesWith four Super Bowls to his name, Terry Bradshaw was one of the best of all time. He pioneered the NFL's first true dynasty and will live on in NFL fame forever because of it. As most know, it's hard to win a single Super Bowl in a career. To win four is unheard of.
Year(s), Team(s): 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, Pittsburgh Steelers.
With four Super Bowls to his name, Terry Bradshaw was one of the best of all time. He pioneered the NFL's first true dynasty and will live on in NFL fame forever because of it. As most know, it's hard to win a single Super Bowl in a career. To win four is unheard of.
2. Tom Brady
Mark L. Baer, USA Today SportsSpeaking of having four Super Bowl titles, Tom Brady has that many and is still going at it. There's a chance he could end up with five or more by the time it's all said and done, which would make him the top quarterback on this list. Until then, though, there's just one more quarterback who was slightly more impressive.
Year(s), Team(s): 2001, 2003, 2004, 2015, New England Patriots.
Speaking of having four Super Bowl titles, Tom Brady has that many and is still going at it. There's a chance he could end up with five or more by the time it's all said and done, which would make him the top quarterback on this list. Until then, though, there's just one more quarterback who was slightly more impressive.
1. Joe Montana
Getty ImagesMontana also has four Super Bowls to his credit and is widely regarded as the best to ever play his position. In the Super Bowl against the Bengals, he led a 92-yard drive with three minutes to go in order to win it all. If that doesn't show the ice water he had in his veins, nothing will.
Year(s), Team(s): 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, San Francisco 49ers.
Montana also has four Super Bowls to his credit and is widely regarded as the best to ever play his position. In the Super Bowl against the Bengals, he led a 92-yard drive with three minutes to go in order to win it all. If that doesn't show the ice water he had in his veins, nothing will.
