The Super Bowl is the pinnacle of American football, with winning quarterbacks forever etching their names into NFL history. But being a Super Bowl winning QBs is about more than just lifting the Lombardi Trophy; it’s about embodying excellence, leadership, and resilience under pressure. Let’s delve into the accomplishments, memorable moments, and defining characteristics of these Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks.
The Trailblazers: Early Super Bowl Winning QBs
The Super Bowl era began in 1967 with Super Bowl I, and Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers set the tone by winning the first two championships (Super Bowl I and II). Starr, known for his poised leadership and strategic mind, was awarded MVP honors in both games. His success was a precursor to the rise of the quarterback as the face of an NFL franchise.
- Bart Starr (Super Bowl I & II) – The first back-to-back Super Bowl champion QB and MVP.
- Joe Namath (Super Bowl III) – Famous for his “guarantee” and leading the Jets to an upset victory over the Colts.
Record Breakers and Milestone Moments
Several winning quarterbacks not only took their teams to victory but also set records that would last for decades. These QBs proved that winning Super Bowls is as much about skill and preparation as it is about making history.
- Terry Bradshaw (Steelers, 4-time winner) – Known for his tough play and clutch performances, Bradshaw’s four Super Bowl titles set a standard for future QBs.
- Joe Montana (49ers, 4-time winner) – Often dubbed “Joe Cool,” Montana was the epitome of calmness, winning four Super Bowls without a single interception in any of those games.
Full List of Super Bowl Winning Quarterbacks by Year
- Super Bowl I – Bart Starr (Green Bay Packers, MVP), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl II – Bart Starr (Green Bay Packers, MVP), 1 TD
- Super Bowl III – Joe Namath (New York Jets, MVP), 0 TDs
- Super Bowl IV – Len Dawson (Kansas City Chiefs, MVP), 1 TD
- Super Bowl V – John Unitas (Baltimore Colts, MVP: Chuck Howley), 1 TD
- Super Bowl VI – Roger Staubach (Dallas Cowboys, MVP), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl VII – Bob Griese (Miami Dolphins, MVP: Jake Scott), 1 TD
- Super Bowl VIII – Bob Griese (Miami Dolphins, MVP: Larry Csonka), 0 TDs
- Super Bowl IX – Terry Bradshaw (Pittsburgh Steelers, MVP: Franco Harris), 1 TD
- Super Bowl X – Terry Bradshaw (Pittsburgh Steelers, MVP: Lynn Swann), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl XI – Ken Stabler (Oakland Raiders, MVP: Fred Biletnikoff), 1 TD
- Super Bowl XII – Roger Staubach (Dallas Cowboys, MVP: Harvey Martin & Randy White), 1 TD
- Super Bowl XIII – Terry Bradshaw (Pittsburgh Steelers, MVP), 4 TDs
- Super Bowl XIV – Terry Bradshaw (Pittsburgh Steelers, MVP), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl XV – Jim Plunkett (Oakland Raiders, MVP), 3 TDs
- Super Bowl XVI – Joe Montana (San Francisco 49ers, MVP), 1 TD
- Super Bowl XVII – Joe Theismann (Washington Redskins, MVP: John Riggins), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl XVIII – Jim Plunkett (Los Angeles Raiders, MVP: Marcus Allen), 1 TD
- Super Bowl XIX – Joe Montana (San Francisco 49ers, MVP), 3 TDs
- Super Bowl XX – Jim McMahon (Chicago Bears, MVP: Richard Dent), 0 TDs
- Super Bowl XXI – Phil Simms (New York Giants, MVP), 3 TDs
- Super Bowl XXII – Doug Williams (Washington Redskins, MVP), 4 TDs
- Super Bowl XXIII – Joe Montana (San Francisco 49ers, MVP: Jerry Rice), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl XXIV – Joe Montana (San Francisco 49ers, MVP), 5 TDs
- Super Bowl XXV – Jeff Hostetler (New York Giants, MVP: Ottis Anderson), 1 TD
- Super Bowl XXVI – Mark Rypien (Washington Redskins, MVP), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl XXVII – Troy Aikman (Dallas Cowboys, MVP), 4 TDs
- Super Bowl XXVIII – Troy Aikman (Dallas Cowboys, MVP: Emmitt Smith), 0 TDs
- Super Bowl XXIX – Steve Young (San Francisco 49ers, MVP), 6 TDs
- Super Bowl XXX – Troy Aikman (Dallas Cowboys, MVP: Larry Brown), 1 TD
- Super Bowl XXXI – Brett Favre (Green Bay Packers, MVP: Desmond Howard), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl XXXII – John Elway (Denver Broncos, MVP: Terrell Davis), 0 TDs
- Super Bowl XXXIII – John Elway (Denver Broncos, MVP), 1 TD
- Super Bowl XXXIV – Kurt Warner (St. Louis Rams, MVP), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl XXXV – Trent Dilfer (Baltimore Ravens, MVP: Ray Lewis), 1 TD
- Super Bowl XXXVI – Tom Brady (New England Patriots, MVP), 1 TD
- Super Bowl XXXVII – Brad Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, MVP: Dexter Jackson), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl XXXVIII – Tom Brady (New England Patriots, MVP), 3 TDs
- Super Bowl XXXIX – Tom Brady (New England Patriots, MVP: Deion Branch), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl XL – Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers, MVP: Hines Ward), 0 TDs
- Super Bowl XLI – Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts, MVP), 1 TD
- Super Bowl XLII – Eli Manning (New York Giants, MVP), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl XLIII – Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers, MVP: Santonio Holmes), 1 TD
- Super Bowl XLIV – Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints, MVP), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl XLV – Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers, MVP), 3 TDs
- Super Bowl XLVI – Eli Manning (New York Giants, MVP), 1 TD
- Super Bowl XLVII – Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens, MVP), 3 TDs
- Super Bowl XLVIII – Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks, MVP: Malcolm Smith), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl XLIX – Tom Brady (New England Patriots, MVP), 4 TDs
- Super Bowl 50 – Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos, MVP: Von Miller), 0 TDs
- Super Bowl LI – Tom Brady (New England Patriots, MVP), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl LII – Nick Foles (Philadelphia Eagles, MVP), 3 TDs
- Super Bowl LIII – Tom Brady (New England Patriots, MVP: Julian Edelman), 0 TDs
- Super Bowl LIV – Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs, MVP), 2 TDs
- Super Bowl LV – Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, MVP), 3 TDs
- Super Bowl LVI – Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams, MVP: Cooper Kupp), 3 TDs
- Super Bowl LVII – Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs, MVP), 3 TDs
- Super Bowl LVIII – Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs, MVP), 2 TDs
Iconic Super Bowl Winning Performances
Every Super Bowl has its own story, but some QBs turned the game into their stage with unforgettable performances.
- Steve Young (49ers) – Set the record with six touchdown passes in Super Bowl XXIX, leading the 49ers to a dominant victory over the Chargers.
- Doug Williams (Redskins) – The first Black QB to win a Super Bowl, Williams threw four touchdown passes in one quarter in Super Bowl XXII, breaking barriers and records simultaneously.
Quarterbacks with Multiple Super Bowl Wins
Winning one Super Bowl is challenging enough, but a select few quarterbacks have achieved multiple championships, solidifying their legacy among the all-time greats.
- Troy Aikman (Cowboys) – Led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories in the 1990s, becoming a symbol of excellence in Dallas.
- Tom Brady (Patriots/Buccaneers) – The ultimate example of longevity and success, Brady won seven Super Bowls, the most by any QB, with two different teams.
The Legends Who Won Against All Odds
Some quarterbacks have managed to win Super Bowls despite not being considered “elite” at the time. Their stories serve as inspiration, showing that any QB can become a Super Bowl-winning quarterback if they rise to the occasion.
- Jeff Hostetler (Giants) – Stepped in as a backup and led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XXV.
- Trent Dilfer (Ravens) – Known more as a game manager, Dilfer’s Ravens rode a historic defense to victory in Super Bowl XXXV.
Records Set by Super Bowl Winning QBs
Winning Super Bowls often comes with the chance to set new records. Some of the most notable achievements by Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks include:
- Most TD Passes in a Super Bowl – Steve Young with 6 TDs in Super Bowl XXIX.
- Youngest QB to Win – Ben Roethlisberger, at age 23, in Super Bowl XL.
- Oldest QB to Win – Tom Brady, at age 43, in Super Bowl LV.
The Impact of Super Bowl MVP Honors on a QB’s Legacy
Winning a Super Bowl MVP can elevate a quarterback’s career, highlighting their direct contribution to victory. Out of all Super Bowl-winning QBs, some stood out and claimed this prestigious award.
- Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) – Won two Super Bowl MVPs, showcasing his explosive play and leadership in Super Bowl LIV and LVII.
- Eli Manning (Giants) – Known for his clutch plays, Manning won two Super Bowl MVPs, largely due to his remarkable performances in the final moments of both games.
The Evolution of the Super Bowl-Winning Quarterback
From the methodical play of early quarterbacks like Bart Starr to the explosive athleticism of modern QBs like Patrick Mahomes, the role of a Super Bowl-winning quarterback has evolved.
- Traditional Pocket Passers – QBs like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady made their names by excelling as traditional pocket passers, reading defenses and throwing with precision.
- Dual-Threat Playmakers – Players like Russell Wilson and Mahomes have brought mobility and improvisation into the game, redefining what a Super Bowl-winning QB can be.
Super Bowl Winning QBs Who Changed the Game
Some Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks have had a lasting impact on the game, not only for their success on the field but also for their contributions to the culture of the NFL.
- Joe Namath – Known for his bold personality and game-changing “guarantee” in Super Bowl III, Namath was a trendsetter.
- Tom Brady – His longevity, success, and influence on sports nutrition and training are unprecedented, raising the bar for future QBs.
Super Bowl Winning Quarterbacks by Decade
Looking at Super Bowl-winning QBs by decade shows how each era of football had its own defining players.
- 1970s – Dominated by Terry Bradshaw and the Steelers.
- 1980s – The decade of Joe Montana, with four championships for the 49ers.
- 2000s and Beyond – Marked by Tom Brady’s dominance and the rise of younger stars like Patrick Mahomes.
Modern Stars Continuing the Super Bowl Legacy
With new talents entering the league every year, the list of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks continues to grow, keeping fans excited for the future.
- Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) – Already a two-time Super Bowl champion, Mahomes is positioned to continue adding to his legacy.
- Matthew Stafford (Rams) – Proved doubters wrong with his Super Bowl victory in 2022, marking the Rams’ return to glory.
Memorable Upsets and Cinderella Stories
Some of the most memorable Super Bowls feature unexpected victories, where underdog QBs led their teams to stunning upsets.
- Nick Foles (Eagles) – Took over as a backup and outdueled Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII, securing a historic win for the Eagles.
- Eli Manning (Giants) – Twice led the Giants to victories over Brady’s Patriots, including the famous upset in Super Bowl XLII.
The Legacy of Super Bowl Winning QBs Today
Winning a Super Bowl immortalizes a quarterback’s name, making them part of an elite fraternity. Each year, fans debate who the next QB will be to join this prestigious group.
The list of winning QBs in Super Bowls spans different generations, each adding its own style and memorable moments to the history of the game. With each Super Bowl, the legacy of these quarterbacks grows, inspiring new generations to aspire to the pinnacle of football success.
Current Standings of Super Bowl Winning QBs
The landscape of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks is constantly evolving, with modern stars adding their names to the list and legends cementing their legacies. Fans eagerly await each season, wondering who will be the next QB to join the ranks of the greats.
This article provides a comprehensive look at the history and legacy of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks, celebrating their contributions to the game and highlighting what makes each one unique. Whether you’re a fan of traditional pocket passers or modern dual-threat playmakers, the journey of becoming a winning QB in Super Bowls is filled with moments that capture the essence of American football.
