Super Bowl Quarterbacks: Every QB Who Has Played in the Super Bowl
From Johnny Unitas to Patrick Mahomes, the Super Bowl has been defined by its quarterbacks. Here is the complete record of every QB who has started the championship game, their wins, losses, and MVP awards.
Tom Brady
10
Super Bowl appearances — 7 wins
Patrick Mahomes
5
Super Bowl appearances — 4 wins
Joe Montana
4
Super Bowl appearances — 4 wins
Top Super Bowl Quarterbacks by Appearances
| Quarterback | Appearances | Wins | Losses | MVP Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Brady | 10 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
| Patrick Mahomes | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Joe Montana | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Terry Bradshaw | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Roger Staubach | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| John Elway | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Peyton Manning | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Most Successful Super Bowl QBs
Tom Brady stands alone in Super Bowl quarterback history. His 10 appearances and 7 victories are records that may never be broken. Brady appeared in his first Super Bowl after the 2001 season and made his last appearance after the 2021 season, a span of two full decades at the highest level. His five Super Bowl MVP awards also lead all players at any position.
Patrick Mahomes is building a resume that could one day rival Brady. Already with four Super Bowl victories before age 30, Mahomes has demonstrated a capacity for late-game heroics that has defined his championship runs. His three Super Bowl MVP awards, including back-to-back in Super Bowls LVII and LVIII, place him firmly in the all-time conversation.
Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw each went 4-0 in Super Bowl starts, posting perfect records that remain unmatched among quarterbacks with multiple appearances. Montana's calm under pressure earned him the nickname "Joe Cool" and three Super Bowl MVP awards. Bradshaw won back-to-back titles with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1979 and 1980.
The One-Game Wonders
Dozens of quarterbacks have made a single Super Bowl start. Some of the most memorable single appearances belong to QBs on both sides of the outcome. Doug Williams became the first Black starting quarterback in Super Bowl history in Super Bowl XXII, throwing four touchdown passes in a record-setting second quarter. Nick Foles won Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl LII with a 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots.
On the other end, some all-time great quarterbacks made only one Super Bowl appearance. Dan Marino, widely regarded among the best pure passers in NFL history, made just one Super Bowl start in Super Bowl XIX, a 38-16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Current QBs to Watch
Patrick Mahomes is the clear active leader, but Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen have all reached or come close to the Super Bowl in recent seasons. Hurts led the Eagles to Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LIX. Jackson, a two-time MVP, has yet to reach the championship game as of the 2024 season. The next generation of Super Bowl quarterbacks is already taking shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Super Bowl LXI is scheduled for February 2027. The exact date and location will be officially announced by the NFL. The game typically takes place on the first Sunday of February.
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