Winning a Super Bowl takes a combination of talent, timing, and just plain luck. Some of the greatest players in NFL history put up legendary careers but never got to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. It’s a cruel game.
Today, we’re looking at 20 all-time greats who deserved a ring but never got one. Let’s count ‘em down!
20. Philip Rivers
Was Rivers the best quarterback of his generation? No. Was he one of the best? Absolutely. The guy threw for over 63,000 yards, made eight Pro Bowls, and carried some talented (but cursed) Chargers teams deep into the playoffs—just never far enough.
19. Derrick Thomas
One of the best pass rushers in NFL history, Thomas was a nightmare for quarterbacks. The Hall of Famer racked up 126.5 sacks and still holds the single-game record (7!). Unfortunately, the Chiefs never surrounded him with enough firepower to get over the hump.
18. Cris Carter
“All he does is catch touchdowns.” Carter was a dominant receiver for the Vikings in the ‘90s, but despite multiple deep playoff runs, he never got his ring. That 1998 Vikings team was so close.
17. Steve McNair
McNair was a warrior. He came one yard short of sending Super Bowl XXXIV into overtime against the Rams. The 2003 co-MVP (alongside Peyton Manning) was as tough as they come, but he never got another shot at the big one.
16. Fran Tarkenton
Tarkenton revolutionized the quarterback position with his scrambling ability and put up ridiculous numbers for his era. He led the Vikings to three Super Bowls in the ‘70s… and lost all of them. Brutal.
15. Tony Gonzalez
The best tight end ever (yeah, we said it), Gonzalez put up video game stats for 17 seasons. He spent most of his career carrying the Chiefs and Falcons’ offenses, but never got that elusive ring.
14. Andre Johnson
Johnson was an absolute beast. He dominated on some truly terrible Texans teams, racking up over 14,000 receiving yards. If he had played on a contender, we’d be talking about him in the same breath as Jerry Rice.
13. LaDainian Tomlinson
LT was a human highlight reel. The 2006 MVP scored 31 total touchdowns in one season—an NFL record. He had multiple chances with stacked Chargers and Jets teams but could never get past the Patriots.
12. Bruce Matthews
Playing in the NFL for 19 seasons as an offensive lineman? Insane. Being elite the entire time? Unreal. Matthews played in 14 Pro Bowls and was a rock for the Oilers/Titans, but never got a ring.
11. Warren Moon
Moon had to take the long road to the NFL, dominating in the CFL before becoming a Pro Bowl machine with the Oilers. He threw for over 49,000 yards but never made it past the AFC Championship Game.
10. Dan Fouts
One of the most exciting quarterbacks ever, Fouts turned the Chargers’ “Air Coryell” offense into a juggernaut. Unfortunately, San Diego’s defenses were never quite good enough to get him to the promised land.
9. Jason Taylor
Taylor was a defensive menace—139.5 career sacks, Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, and a Hall of Famer. But being a career Dolphin in the Brady era meant zero rings.
8. Jim Kelly
Going to four straight Super Bowls is impressive. Losing all four? Pain. Kelly led one of the most dominant teams of the ‘90s in the Buffalo Bills, but they ran into the Cowboys and Giants at the worst possible times.
7. Calvin Johnson
Megatron was a cheat code. The fact that he played for the Lions his whole career is basically NFL cruelty. He put up historic numbers despite constant double-teams and bad teams, but Detroit never gave him a shot at a title.
6. Adrian Peterson
One of the most dominant running backs ever, AP bulldozed defenses for over 14,000 rushing yards. He had a shot with the Vikings and later in New Orleans, but a Super Bowl never came.
5. Junior Seau
Seau was the heart and soul of the Chargers for years. He finally got a Super Bowl shot with the Patriots late in his career… but it just so happened to be the year the Giants ended New England’s perfect season.
4. Barry Sanders
The greatest running back to never win a Super Bowl? Absolutely. Sanders put up jaw-dropping numbers for a perennially terrible Lions team before walking away at his peak. Imagine if he played for literally anyone else.
3. Terrell Owens
Love him or hate him, T.O. was unstoppable. He played in a Super Bowl with the Eagles (on a broken leg!) and dominated, but Philly fell short. He put up monster numbers everywhere he went, but the ring eluded him.
Read More: Ranking All 32 NFL Teams Who Deserve to Win a Super Bowl the Most
2. Dan Marino
Marino had it all—arm strength, accuracy, swagger. What he didn’t have? A ring. He got to the Super Bowl in his second season (1984) but lost to Joe Montana’s 49ers. He never made it back, despite shattering every passing record of his time.
Read More: 10 Quarterbacks Who Didn’t Deserve to Win a Super Bowl
1. Randy Moss
The most gifted receiver in NFL history? Quite possibly. Moss should have won a ring in 2007 when the Patriots went 18-0… but then the Giants happened. One of the biggest what-ifs in NFL history.
Read More: 10 NFL Head Coaches Who Didn’t Deserve a Super Bowl Ring
