Not every NFL legend gets the storybook ending. Some of the greatest players in league history put up jaw-dropping stats, won MVPs, and made Hall of Fame speeches—but never got to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Whether it was bad luck, bad timing, or just playing for cursed franchises (sorry, Lions fans), these 20 legends never got their Super Bowl ring. Let’s count them down!
20. Antonio Gates – The TD Machine Tight End
Antonio Gates went from undrafted basketball player to one of the most dominant tight ends ever. He hauled in 116 career touchdowns, but despite playing on some stacked Chargers teams, he never made it to the big game.
19. Steve McNair – One Yard Short
Few QBs played tougher than Steve McNair, who nearly willed the Titans to a Super Bowl win in 1999. But that final play—Kevin Dyson stretching for the goal line and coming up one yard short—still haunts Tennessee fans.
18. Torry Holt – The Forgotten Rams Legend
Torry Holt was a huge part of the “Greatest Show on Turf,” but while his Rams teammates got a ring in 1999, he wasn’t officially a part of that title team. By the time he became the go-to guy, the Rams had lost their magic.
17. Devin Hester – The Ultimate Return Specialist
Devin Hester changed the game as a return man, famously taking the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI to the house. Unfortunately for him, the Colts handled the Bears pretty easily after that, and he never got another shot.
16. Dan Fouts – Air Coryell, No Rings
Fouts and the Chargers’ “Air Coryell” offense rewrote the record books in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Unfortunately, their defense couldn’t stop anyone, and they never even made a Super Bowl appearance.
15. Andre Johnson – Wasted in Houston
Andre Johnson was a beast at wide receiver, putting up ridiculous numbers despite playing for some truly horrific Texans teams. His best shot at a ring? A brief stint with the Colts in 2015… and that didn’t work out either.
14. Bruce Matthews – The Ageless Lineman
Bruce Matthews played an unreal 19 seasons and made 14 Pro Bowls, but his career ended the same way it started—without a ring. He was also on that Titans team that came up one yard short in Super Bowl XXXIV.
13. Patrick Willis – Retired Too Soon
Patrick Willis was a tackling machine and a cornerstone of the 49ers’ dominant defense in the early 2010s. He played in Super Bowl XLVII but never got a ring before shockingly retiring at just 30 years old.
12. Randall Cunningham – Way Ahead of His Time
Cunningham was basically the blueprint for today’s dual-threat QBs, but he played most of his career with a lackluster Eagles offense. His best shot at a ring? The 1998 Vikings, who went 15-1 and then… choked in the NFC title game.
11. Tony Gonzalez – The GOAT Tight End
Tony Gonzalez retired as the greatest tight end ever, owning nearly every receiving record at the position. The one thing missing? A Super Bowl. His best shot was with the 2012 Falcons, but they blew a 17-0 lead in the NFC Championship.
10. Jason Taylor – Sack King Without a Ring
Jason Taylor terrorized quarterbacks for years with the Dolphins, but Miami was never really a contender during his career. He had one brief Super Bowl shot with Washington (lol), which went about as well as you’d expect.
9. LaDainian Tomlinson – Playoff Heartbreak
LT was an absolute monster at running back, but despite his MVP season in 2006, his Chargers couldn’t get past the Patriots. Even when he joined the Jets for one last shot in 2010, they came up just short.
8. Eric Dickerson – A Superstar on Bad Teams
Eric Dickerson ran for 2,105 yards in a single season (still an NFL record), but his teams were never good enough to get him a ring. He got closest with the 1989 Colts… but they were one-and-done in the playoffs.
7. Fran Tarkenton – Three Strikes in the Super Bowl
Fran Tarkenton helped redefine the quarterback position with his mobility, but his Vikings lost three Super Bowls in the ‘70s. He might be the best QB ever to never win one.
6. Reggie Wayne – Almost Got Another
Reggie Wayne won plenty of games with Peyton Manning and the Colts, but he was part of the team that lost to the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV. Then he joined the Patriots in 2015… and they cut him before they won the Super Bowl. Brutal.
5. Jim Kelly – Four Straight Super Bowl Losses
Losing one Super Bowl is tough. Losing four in a row? Unbelievable. Jim Kelly and the Bills dominated the AFC in the early ‘90s but couldn’t seal the deal when it mattered most. The infamous Wide Right in Super Bowl XXV still stings.
4. Terrell Owens – Dominant Even With a Broken Leg
T.O. put on an all-time performance in Super Bowl XXXIX, catching nine passes for 122 yards… on a broken leg. Unfortunately for him, the Eagles lost to the Patriots, and he never got back to the big game.
3. Barry Sanders – Walked Away Too Soon
Barry Sanders might be the best running back ever, but he played for the Detroit Lions… so yeah. He could have kept playing and chased a ring elsewhere, but he retired at 30, leaving everyone wondering what could have been.
Read More: 10 NFL Players Who Retired and Came Back
2. Dan Marino – The Best QB Without a Ring
Dan Marino set passing records left and right and made it to a Super Bowl in his second season. Everyone assumed he’d win one eventually… but he never got back. Despite being an all-time great, he retired with zero rings.
Read More: 10 Undrafted NFL Players Who Became Super Bowl Champions
1. Randy Moss – The Greatest to Never Win
Randy Moss was unstoppable. He redefined what it meant to be a deep threat and torched defenses for years. His best shot? The 18-0 Patriots in 2007… until the Giants spoiled the party. He got another chance with the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, but they lost to the Ravens.
Read More: 13 NFL Head Coaches Who Deserved a Super Bowl Win
