# The 16 Best NFL Players Never to Win a Super Bowl

> Hall of Fame careers with one gap in the trophy case. Some came close four times, others never played a postseason snap.

*By YPB Team · Published October 28, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-16-best-nfl-players-never-to-win-a-super-bowl*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Josh Allen** — score 1000/1000
   Bills quarterback and 2024 MVP whose playoff runs have ended four times against Kansas City.
2. **Bruce Smith** — score 1000/1000
   Career sacks leader who played in all four of Buffalo's Super Bowl losses.
3. **Jim Kelly** — score 945/1000
   Bills quarterback who lost four straight Super Bowls from the 1990 to 1993 seasons.
4. **Dick Butkus** — score 764/1000
   Bears linebacker of 1965 to 1973 who never played in a postseason game.
5. **Earl Campbell** — score 764/1000
   Oilers running back who lost back-to-back AFC title games to the Steelers.
6. **Dan Marino** — score 647/1000
   Dolphins quarterback who reached one Super Bowl, in his second season, and never returned.
7. **Cris Carter** — score 647/1000
   Vikings receiver whose 1998 team went 15-1 and lost the NFC title game.
8. **Barry Sanders** — score 647/1000
   Lions running back who retired on the eve of the 1999 season, 1,457 yards short of the career rushing record.
9. **Calvin Johnson** — score 647/1000
   Lions receiver who set the season receiving yards record and retired at 30 without a playoff win.
10. **Tony Gonzalez** — score 503/1000
   Tight end who played 17 seasons for the Chiefs and Falcons and won one playoff game.
11. **Warren Moon** — score 503/1000
   Hall of Fame quarterback who won five Grey Cups in Canada and no Super Bowl.
12. **Philip Rivers** — score 503/1000
   Chargers quarterback who started 240 straight games and never reached a Super Bowl.
13. **LaDainian Tomlinson** — score 0/1000
   Chargers running back and 2006 MVP who never reached a Super Bowl.
14. **Larry Fitzgerald** — score 0/1000
   Cardinals receiver whose late touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII was answered by Pittsburgh.
15. **Dan Fouts** — score 0/1000
   Chargers quarterback of the Air Coryell offense who never reached a Super Bowl.
16. **J. J. Watt** — score 0/1000
   Three-time Defensive Player of the Year who never got past the divisional round.

Tags: football, players, nfl, super bowl