PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Barry Sanders #20 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eangles during an NFL football game September 15, 1996 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sanders played for the Lions from 1989-98.(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Many outstanding players have played in the NFL and have sadly not won a Super Bowl ring. Some lost in the Super Bowl (on more than one occasion), while others lost in the playoffs, while others never seemed to have winning seasons. At DrRoto.com we compiled a list of 30 of the best NFL players to never have won a Super Bowl ring. Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments.
30. John Hannah, OG
Nov 10, 1974; Foxboro, MA, USA; FILE PHOTO; New England Patriots Tackle (73) John Hannah in action against the Cleveland Browns at Schaffer Stadium. The Browns defeated the Patriots 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
Had his best chance to win against the 1985 Bears
29. Dan Fouts, QB
Oct 1978; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts (14) in action during the 1978 season at Jack Murphy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Lost to Cincinnati in an epically cold AFC Championship game
28. Joe Thomas, OT
Aug 11, 2007; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas (73) stretches before kick off against the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Thomas was Cleveland Browns first round pick. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY Sports
Sadly Thomas only had one winning season in the NFL
27. Warren Moon, QB
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY–OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Warren Moon #1 of the Houston Oilers appears in the game against the New York Jets during the Houston Oilers vs New York Jets game on October 13, 1991 at the Meadowlands (aka Giants Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
He has a CFL Championship but not one from the NFL
26. Alan Page, DT
Feb 4, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Alan Page former football player looks on from the field during a stoppage in play in Super Bowl LII between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots during the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Couldn’t pull one out for the Purple People-Eaters
25. Fran Tarkenton, QB
Minnesota Vikings tackle Frank Myers (74) tries to block Green Bay Packers defensive end Ezra Johnson (78) as he chases the quarterback Fran Tarkenton (10) on Oct. 22, 1978, at the Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers 21-7.
Gpg Throwback Packers Vs Vikings 11052022 0021
Bailey made to the Super Bowl with Denver who got blown out by Seattle.
23. Randall McDaniel, OG
64: Randall McDaniel
Xxx Vikings012 Jpg S Fbn Md
One of the most solid lineman in NFL history
22. Sonny Jurgensen, QB
Oct 20, 1963; Cleveland, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Philadelphia Eagles quarter back Sonny Jurgensen (9) at the line of scrimmage against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Stadium. The Browns beat the Eagles 37-7. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Never made the Super Bowl in 18 seasons
21. Calvin Johnson, WR
FOXBOROUGH, MA – NOVEMBER 23 : Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions warms up during pregame warm ups prior to playing the New England Patriots in an NFL football game on November 23, 2014 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Johnson played for the Lions from 2007-2015. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Had his career cut short by injuries
20. J.J. Watt, DT
Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Former Houston Texans JJ Watt speaks to the fans during his Ring Of Honor Ceremony at halftime during the game between the Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Only played in nine playoff games in his career
19. Bruce Matthews, OT
Tennessee Titans offensive guar Bruce Matthews (74) blocks a Baltimore Ravens defender during the 4th quarter. Matthews broke a NFL record for the most number of starts for an offensive lineman, 260, but the visiting Titans lost the game 41-14 Dec. 5, 1999.
Tennessee Titans At Baltimore Ravens Football
Widely considered one of the greatest OT to have played
18. Antonio Gates, TE
Oct 17, 2004; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end #85 Antonio Gates runs after a catch against the Atlanta Falcons in 1st half action at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2004 Jason Parkhurst
Got to the 2007 AFC Divisional Round
17. Earl Campbell, RB
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 2: Running back Earl Campbell #34 of the Houston Oilers looks on from the field before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on October 2, 1983 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Oilers 17-10. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Luv Ya Blue lost to the Steelers twice in the AFC Championship game
16. Junior Seau, LB
New England Patriots Ellis Hobbs III (left) interviews Junior Seau during media day at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 29, 2008.
Finally made it to the Super Bowl with New England but lost to the Giants
15. Jim Kelly, QB
Jim Kelly #12, Quarterback for the Buffalo Bills calls an audible at the line of scrimmage during the American Football Conference Wild Card game against the Miami Dolphins on 30 December 1995 at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York, United States. The Bills won the game 37 – 22. (Photo by Al Bello/Allsport/Getty Images)
Lost four times as the Bills starting QB
14. Bruce Smith, DE
Aug, 1986; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Bruce Smith (78) in action during the preseason against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Lost four times as arguably the best player on the Buffalo Bills
13. O.J, Simpson, RB
Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1985, in 1974. (Photo by Ross Lewis/Getty Images)
Simpson’s teams only made the playoffs once in his NFL career.
12. Tony Gonzalez, TE
Oct 12, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Former player Tony Gonzalez on field prior to a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Missed out on playing with Patrick Mahomes
11. Anthony Munoz, OT
Nov 25, 1984; Cincinnati, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cincinnati Bengals tackle Anthony Munoz (78) on the field against the Atlanta Falcons at Riverfront Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
The greatest OT in NFL history lost twice to the 49ers in the Super Bowl.
10. Larry Fitzgerald, WR
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a reception against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 20-12. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Almost pulled off the Super Bowl upset but lost to Pittsburgh
9. Adrian Peterson, RB
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 4: Running back Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes for a 48 yard touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 4, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Had his best chance when the Vikings lost to the Saints in OT
8. Barry Sanders, RB
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 10: Barry Sanders #20 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game December 10, 1989 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Sanders played for the Lions from 1989-98.(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Many wondered how many Super Bowls he would have won if he played for a different team
7. Steve Largent, WR
Nov 25, 1984; Denver, CO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80) is chased by Denver Broncos defensive back Mike Harden (31) at Mile High Stadium. Mandatory Credit: MPS-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle made the playoffs only three times in his career
6. LaDanian Tomlinson, RB
LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers during a game against the Oakland Raiders at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California on September 11, 2006. San Diego won 27-0. (Photo by Robert B. Stanton/NFLPhotoLibrary)
Lost twice in the AFC Championship game
5. Terrell Owens, WR
IRVING, TX – OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Terrell Owens #81 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his third touchdown against the Houston Texans on October 15, 2006 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Texans 34-6. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lost his only chance of a ring with the Eagles against New England
4. Randy Moss, WR
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 6: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings races upfield against the New Orleans Saints in the 2000 NFC Divisional Playoff Game at the Metrodome on January 6, 2001 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Saints 34-16. (Photo by Joseph Patronite/Getty Images)
Lost twice against the New York Giants
3. Eric Dickerson, RB
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 14 : Los Angeles Rams Eric Dickerson runs against San Francisco 49’ers Ronnie Lott (42) during Los Angeles Rams against San Francisco 49’ers game, September 14, 1986 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)
Dickerson lost twice in the NFC Championship game, with the Rams only scoring 3 points combined in both games
2. Dick Butkus, LB
Dick Butkus played linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
Never had a team qualify for the NFL playoffs
1. Dan Marino, QB
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY–OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Dan Marino #13 of the Miami Dolphins follows the action in the game between the Miami Dolphins vs the New York Jets at The Meadowlands (aka Giants Stadium) on October 4, 1998 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Widely considered the best player to never win a Super Bowl ring
