The best players who never win a Super Bowl

Butkus is one of the greatest defensive players ever, but the Bears didn’t win a championship during his nine-year career. He made eight Pro Bowls and was a five-time All-Pro during his Hall of Fame career.

Campbell had a brief but historic career, leading the NFL in rushing in each of his first three seasons and winning the Offensive Player of the Year in each of those years. The former Oilers and Saints running back’s best season was 1980 when he led the NFL with 1,981 yards from scrimmage.

The single-season rushing leader, Dickerson’s teams had limited success during his Hall of Fame career. He led the league in rushing four times, winning the Offensive Player of the Year Award twice, and he was a five-time All-Pro.

Fouts set passing yardage records in three consecutive years from 1979-81, made six Pro Bowls and was First-Team All-Pro twice. He also won the 1982 AP Offensive Player of the Year and still ranks 17th all time in passing yards. 

One of the greatest tight ends ever, Gates was an eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro over 16 seasons with the Chargers. He ranks seventh all time in receiving touchdowns.

Gonzalez helped redefine the tight end position, making 14 Pro Bowls and becoming a six-time All-Pro during his 17-year career. He currently ranks third all time in receptions and sixth all time in receiving yards and was part of the 2019 Hall of Fame class, being elected in his first year of eligibility. 

Hannah is one of the greatest guards in NFL history, dominating during his 13-year career with New England. He was a seven-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler.

Jurgensen was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, with one of those All-Pro designations coming before the AFL-NFL merger. While he’s able to claim an NFL championship, in 1960, Jurgensen never won the big game after the merger. His passer rating was the best of his era, and he’s a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Unfortunately the story of Buffalo’s four Super Bowl losses with Kelly at the helm is how he’s best remembered. For his career, Kelly made five Pro Bowls and First-Team All-Pro in 1991, leading to his Hall of Fame induction.

With the incredible list of personal accomplishments, it’s unbelievable that Marino never won a Super Bowl. Among his awards was 1983 NFL Rookie of the Year, 1984 MVP, nine Pro Bowls, three First-Team All-Pro designations and, of course, his Hall of Fame induction. He still ranks fifth in career passing yards despite playing in an offensive era not nearly as pass-happy as the current one.

Matthews is known for his incredible durability and consistency. The Hall of Fame offensive lineman made 14 Pro Bowls during his 19 NFL seasons and was an All-Pro seven times. He started 293 games, second in NFL history.

McDaniel dominated in Minnesota and Tampa Bay for 14 seasons with seven All-Pro seasons and 12 Pro Bowl invites. The Hall of Famer missed only two games during his career.

While Moon won the CFL’s Grey Cup five times, he failed to win a Super Bowl. For his NFL accomplishments, Moon did make nine Pro Bowls and Second-Team All-Pro in 1990. He still ranks 11th all time in passing yards.

A truly unstoppable wide receiver at his best, Moss was a four-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler over his 14 seasons. He led the league in touchdown receptions five times and is now second all time in the category. Moss played for the 2007 Patriots team that went 16-0 during the regular season but lost to the Giants in the Super Bowl.

Arguably the greatest offensive tackle ever, Munoz was a nine-time All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowler in Cincinnati. He played in two Super Bowls but was never able to win the big game.

A defensive tackle on the Rams from 1962-76, Olsen made an astounding 14 Pro Bowls and was a five-time All-Pro. He appeared in 198 straight games for the Rams.

A six-time All-Pro with the Vikings, Page was named to nine Pro Bowls and won one MVP Award. Despite all his career success over 15 seasons, he never won the Super Bowl.

The Chargers failed to make a Super Bowl in the 2000s despite some incredibly talented teams led by Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson, and Rivers’ career wrapped up after one year with the Colts in 2020. He made eight Pro Bowls, ranks 12th all time in passer rating and fifth all time in passing yards. 

Ryan’s performance doesn’t scream for an all-time list, but the stats state his case. Just 13 seasons into his career, Ryan ranks ninth all time in passing yards and has produced a 113-92 regular-season record. He won the 2016 MVP and has also made four Pro Bowls.

The Lions were never able to get over the hump during Sanders’ 10-year career, but his run is arguably the greatest of any running back in NFL history. He was a six-time All-Pro and led the league in rushing four times, peaking with 2,053 yards in 1997. He also won the MVP that year.

The Juice was an All-Pro in five consecutive seasons and rushed for 2,003 yards in only 14 games in 1973, also winning MVP. He still ranks 21st all time in rushing yards.

Smith appeared in four consecutive Super Bowls with the Bills but never won. Despite that frustration, he had an incredible career as an 11-time Pro Bowler and eight-time All-Pro. He retired with exactly 200 sacks.

Today’s multidimensional quarterbacks are still compared to Tarkenton. The Hall of Famer made nine Pro Bowls, won the 1975 MVP and appeared in three Super Bowls with the Vikings. He still ranks 12th in career passing yards and also rushed for 3,674 yards and 32 touchdowns over his career.

Thomas saw only one winning season in his 11-year career, but that doesn’t take away from his unbelievable career accomplishments. The left tackle was a six-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowler in what was certainly a Hall of Fame-worthy career.