Who made the all-time rosters for 23 teams with multiple Super Bowls?
NFL NationOct 3, 2026, 06:00 AM ET
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Picking an all-time Super Bowl team for Super Bowls I-XL would be a difficult task, matching up players from different eras, under different rules and different schematics, but a lot of the names would be familiar and mostly Hall of Fame worthy.
Picking an all-time Super Bowl team for each individual franchise is a little trickier.
Twenty-three teams have played in multiple Super Bowls. Our goal was to come up with an all-time roster for each of those franchises, leaning toward the success those players had in the Super Bowls in which they played, regardless of the success of their overall career or in that particular season(s).
As an example, Larry Brown was one of the Dallas Cowboys' choices at cornerback, not Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
Why? Brown intercepted two passes in Super Bowl XXX and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
Across all of the 23 rosters, 13 players were selected for two franchises' all-time Super Bowl teams, including four former New England Patriots: QB Tom Brady (Buccaneers), K Adam Vinatieri (Colts), G Joe Thuney (Chiefs) and TE Rob Gronkowski (Buccaneers).
Here are the selections made by our NFL Nation reporters:
Jump to:
ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI
CIN | DAL | DEN | GB | IND
KC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NYG | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | WSH
Atlanta Falcons
2 Super Bowls (0-2): XXXIII, LI
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Matt Ryan
RB: Devonta Freeman
FB: Patrick DiMarco
WR: Julio Jones
WR: Terance Mathis
TE: Austin Hooper
LT: Bob Whitfield
LG: Andy Levitre
C: Robbie Tobeck
RG: Chris Chester
RT: Ryan Schraeder
Defense
LDE: Dwight Freeney (also on Colts roster)
LDT: Ra'Shede Hageman
RDT: Grady Jarrett
RDE: Chuck Smith
OLB: Cornelius Bennett (also on Bills roster)
MLB: Jessie Tuggle
ILB: Deion Jones
LCB: Robert Alford
SS: William White
FS: Keanu Neal
RCB: Ronnie Bradford
Special teams
P: Matt Bosher
K: Matt Bryant
LS: Josh Harris
KR: Tim Dwight
PR: Eric Weems
The Super Bowl LI team accounts for most of the selections given how potent the Falcons were on offense in that game despite the historic blowing of that 28-3 lead. Matt Ryan was 17-of-23 passing for 284 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, outplaying his New England Patriots counterpart, Tom Brady. Julio Jones had 87 yards on four catches, Devonta Freeman ran for 75 yards and a touchdown, and Austin Hooper added a touchdown.
Terance Mathis made a case for WR1 with seven catches for 85 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXIII, but it's hard to pick against Jones. The Super Bowl LI team led the way on defense, too. Grady Jarrett had three sacks, Robert Alford had a pick-six and Deion Jones was a standout. The Falcons had no sacks of John Elway in Super Bowl XXXIII, but Ronnie Bradford did intercept him. The easiest pick overall might have been Tim Dwight, who had 210 yards in kick returns in Super Bowl XXXIII, including a 94-yard touchdown. -- Marc Raimondi
Baltimore Ravens
2 Super Bowls (2-0): XXXV, XLVII
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Joe Flacco
RB: Jamal Lewis
WR: Anquan Boldin
WR: Brandon Stokley
TE: Shannon Sharpe (also on Broncos roster)
TE: Dennis Pitta
LT: Jonathan Ogden
LG: Kelechi Osemele
C: Matt Birk
RG: Marshal Yanda
RT: Michael Oher
Defense
LDE: Rob Burnett
LDT: Sam Adams
RDT: Tony Siragusa
RDE: Michael McCrary
OLB: Peter Boulware
MLB: Ray Lewis
CB: Jimmy Smith
LCB: Duane Starks
SS: Rod Woodson (also on Raiders roster)
FS: Ed Reed
RCB: Chris McAlister
Special teams
P: Sam Koch
K: Justin Tucker
LS: Morgan Cox
KR: Jermaine Lewis
PR: Jacoby Jones
When it comes to the Ravens' two Super Bowl championship teams, it was nearly a clear-cut split considering the 2000 team was carried by Ray Lewis and defense and the 2012 one was led by Joe Flacco and the offense.
The offensive players from the 2000 team who made the all-time Super Bowl team were left tackle Jonathan Ogden, who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame; running back Jamal Lewis, who ran for 102 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl; tight end Shannon Sharpe, who delivered big plays throughout the postseason; and wide receiver Brandon Stokley, who scored the franchise's first touchdown in a Super Bowl.
The defensive players from the 2012 team were middle linebacker Lewis, who was also the Super Bowl MVP in 2000; cornerback Jimmy Smith, who broke up a fourth-down pass in the final two minutes; and safety Ed Reed, who intercepted 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the second quarter. -- Jamison Hensley
Buffalo Bills
4 Super Bowls (0-4): XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Jim Kelly
RB: Thurman Thomas
WR: Andre Reed
WR: Don Beebe
WR: James Lofton
TE: Keith McKeller
LT: Will Wolford
LG: Jim Ritcher
C: Kent Hull
RG: Glenn Parker
RT: Howard Ballard
Defense
DE: Bruce Smith
DT: Jeff Wright
DE: Leon Seals
OLB: Cornelius Bennett (also on Falcons roster)
ILB: Shane Conlan
ILB: Ray Bentley
OLB: Darryl Talley
CB: Nate Odomes
FS: Mark Kelso
SS: Henry Jones
CB: Kirby Jackson
Special teams
K: Steve Christie
P: Chris Mohr
LS: Adam Lingner
KR: Al Edwards
PR: Cliff Hicks
With all four of the Bills' Super Bowl appearances falling in one brief, snake-bitten span, this list reads more like a plausible re-creation of what the early 1990s Bills could've looked like on any given Sunday than a true Super Bowl all-star squad.
Though this core group never hoisted a Lombardi Trophy, good individual performances shouldn't be overlooked. Take Don Beebe and Andre Reed's combined 39 catches for 494 yards and two scores and Thurman Thomas' 348 Super Bowl scrimmage yards. Or take Bruce Smith's two sacks and a safety paired with Jeff Wright's three sacks and 10 tackles.
Maybe it's a backhanded compliment to Bills fans to even dare to include specialists on this list, but Steve Christie never actually missed a Super Bowl field goal attempt. -- Nick Suss
Carolina Panthers
2 Super Bowls (0-2): XXXVIII, 50
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Jake Delhomme
RB: DeShaun Foster
WR: Muhsin Muhammad (also on Bears roster)
WR: Steve Smith Sr.
WR: Ricky Proehl
TE: Greg Olsen
LT: Todd Steussie
LG: Andrew Norwell
C: Ryan Kalil
RG: Kevin Donnalley
RT: Jordan Gross
Defense
DE: Julius Peppers
DT: Star Lotulelei
DT: Kris Jenkins
DE: Kony Ealy
LB: Luke Kuechly
LB: Dan Morgan
LB: Thomas Davis Sr.
CB: Reggie Howard
CB: Josh Norman
S: Mike Minter
S: Deon Grant
Special teams
LS: JJ Jansen
K: John Kasay
P: Todd Sauerbrun
KR/PR: Steve Smith Sr.
Strictly based on Super Bowl performance, Jake Delhomme deserves the quarterback spot over Cam Newton. Delhomme threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns against the Patriots in SB XXXVIII, while Newton threw for 265 yards and an interception against the Broncos in SB 50. Both fumbled and lost the ball on the biggest stage, but Newton coughed up the ball twice, and Delhomme's QB rating (113.6) more than doubled Newton's mark (55.4).
Elsewhere, Dan Morgan, who is currently the Panthers' general manager, notched 18 tackles in the Super Bowl XXXVIII loss. Kony Ealy produced three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception, while Reggie Howard got a pick of his own.
Muhsin Muhammad, Steve Smith Sr. and Ricky Proehl all scored receiving touchdowns -- the only Panthers with TD catches in a Super Bowl -- and averaged more than 17 yards per reception. DeShaun Foster, who didn't start his Super Bowl game, produced more on four touches (52 total yards and a touchdown) than any other Panthers running back in a Super Bowl. -- Mike Kaye
Chicago Bears
2 Super Bowls (1-1): XX, XLI
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Jim McMahon
RB: Thomas Jones
FB: Matt Suhey
WR: Muhsin Muhammad (also on Panthers roster)
WR: Willie Gault
TE: Desmond Clark
LT: Jimbo Covert
LG: Mark Bortz
C: Olin Kreutz
RG: Tom Thayer
RT: Keith van Horne
Defense
DE: Richard Dent
DT: Steve "Mongo" McMichael
DT: Tank Johnson
DE: Dan Hampton
LB: Mike Singletary
LB: Brian Urlacher
LB: Wilber Marshall (also on Washington roster)
CB: Charles "Peanut" Tillman
S: Gary Fencik
S: Chris Harris
CB: Mike Richardson
Special teams
P: Maury Buford
K: Kevin Butler
LS: Patrick Mannelly
KR: Devin Hester
PR: Keith Ortego
The entire offensive line from the Bears' 1985 Super Bowl team could have made this roster. They didn't allow a sack and paved the way for 167 rushing yards and four touchdowns (Jim McMahon was the first quarterback in Super Bowl history to rush for two TDs).
Center Olin Kreutz is the lone representative from the 2006 O-line given his résumé as one of the greatest pre-snap processors and line commanders in NFL history, not to mention how his blocking played a big role in Thomas Jones' 112 rushing yards (7.5 yards per carry) against the Colts in Super Bowl XLI.
At linebacker, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher were no-brainers, but Wilber Marshall edged out Lance Briggs and Otis Wilson for his impact in Super Bowl XX. Marshall shared a sack with DE Richard Dent early against the Patriots to set the tone, plus he tallied four tackles, scooped up a Steve Grogan fumble and returned it for a touchdown (though called back by penalty) while keeping New England completely smothered. -- Courtney Cronin
Cincinnati Bengals
3 Super Bowls (0-3): XVI, XXIII, LVI
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Ken Anderson
RB: Joe Mixon
WR: Ja'Marr Chase
WR: Chris Collinsworth
WR: Tee Higgins
TE: Dan Ross
LT: Anthony Muñoz
LG: Dave Lapham
C: Bruce Kozerski
RG: Max Montoya
RT: Mike Wilson
Defense
LDE: Ross Browner
LDT: BJ Hill
RDT: DJ Reader
RDE: Trey Hendrickson
OLB: Reggie Williams
MLB: Logan Wilson
ILB: Jim LeClair
LCB: Chidobe Awuzie
SS: David Fulcher
FS: Jessie Bates III
RCB: Ken Riley
Special teams
P: Pat McInally
K: Jim Breech
LS: Clark Harris
KR: Stanford Jennings
PR: Mike Fuller
Ken Anderson's performance in XVI set then-Super Bowl records for completions (20) and completion percentage (73.5). Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Chris Collinsworth each had big performances in their Super Bowl appearances. Guys like Max Montoya, Anthony Muñoz and Reggie Williams appeared in both the losses in the 1980s to the San Francisco 49ers and all turned in big games.
On defense, six of the 11 starters are from the team that lost to the Los Angeles Rams at the end of the 2021 season. The Rams rushed for just 43 yards on 23 carries. The Bengals' defense also forced two key interceptions that had Cincinnati on the cusp of victory before a late Rams comeback. The special teams inclusions feature Stanford Jennings, one of 10 NFL players to return a Super Bowl kickoff for a touchdown. -- Ben Baby
Dallas Cowboys
8 Super Bowls (5-3): V, VI, X, XII, XIII, XXVII, XXVIII, XXX
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Troy Aikman
RB: Emmitt Smith
FB: Robert Newhouse
WR: Michael Irvin
WR: Drew Pearson
TE: Jay Novacek
LT: Erik Williams
LG: Nate Newton
C: Mark Stepnoski
RG: Blaine Nye
RT: Rayfield Wright
Defense
DE: Charles Haley (also on 49ers roster)
DT: Randy White
DT: Bob Lilly
DT: Harvey Martin
LB: Chuck Howley
LB: Bob Bruenig
LB: Ken Norton
CB: Larry Brown
S: James Washington
S: Randy Hughes
CB: Mel Renfro
Special teams
P: Danny White
K: Chris Boniol
LS: Dale Hellestrae
KR: Kelvin Martin
PR: Kelvin Martin
Maybe it's fitting there is an even split between the Tom Landry era Super Bowls and the Jimmy Johnson/Jerry Jones era Super Bowls. Seven from the 1990s on offense. Seven on the defense from the 1970s. It's also an 11-11 player split on offense and defense between the two eras.
Some of selections are obvious, such as the Super Bowl MVPs. Troy Aikman had four TD passes in Super Bowl XXVII. Deion Sanders was the best Cowboys corner of the 1990s, but Larry Brown took home the MVP of Super Bowl XXX with two second-half interceptions against the Steelers.
Randy Hughes might not be the biggest name from the Dirty Dozen draft class of 1975, but in Super Bowl XII he had five tackles, an interception and two fumble recoveries. While Emmitt Smith was named MVP of Super Bowl XXVIII, James Washington might have had the biggest play with a fumble return for a touchdown.
Chuck Howley remains the only player to have been named an MVP from a losing team (Super Bowl V), while Randy White and Harvey Martin are the only two to share an MVP (Super Bowl XII). -- Todd Archer
Denver Broncos
8 Super Bowls (3-5): XII, XXI, XXII, XXIV, XXXII, XXXIII, XLVIII, 50
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: John Elway
RB: Terrell Davis
FB: Howard Griffith
WR: Rod Smith
WR: Demaryius Thomas
TE: Shannon Sharpe (also on Ravens roster)
LT: Gary Zimmerman
LG: Mark Schlereth
C: Tom Nalen
RG: Brian Habib
RT: Tony Jones
Defense
DE: Malik Jackson
NT/DT: Rubin Carter
DE: Derek Wolfe
OLB: Von Miller (also on Rams roster)
ILB: Danny Trevathan
ILB: Bill Romanowski
OLB: DeMarcus Ware
LCB: Aqib Talib
SS: T.J. Ward
FS: Steve Atwater
RCB: Darrien Gordon (also on Raiders roster)
Special teams
P: Britton Colquitt
K: Brandon McManus
LS: Aaron Brewer
KR: Rick Upchurch
PR: Josh Norwood
Some might call it a recency bias, but to pick the Broncos' all-time Super Bowl team, it's really a win bias. After they went 0-4 in their first four trips to the Big Game with two of the biggest losses in Super Bowl history on the list, the Broncos have gone 3-1 in their past four appearances, including their last win -- Super Bowl 50 over the Panthers to close out the 2015 season.
So, with performances in the title game the only benchmark, some of the most notable players in franchise history are missing, though it is a list that has six Hall of Famers (John Elway, Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, Gary Zimmerman, DeMarcus Ware, Steve Atwater).
Elway, who played in five of the franchise's eight Super Bowls, lived on both sides of the equation, seeing plenty of football heartache before he retired as a two-time Super Bowl winner. -- Jeff Legwold
Green Bay Packers
5 SBs (4-1): I, II, XXXI, XXXII, XLV
Offense
QB: Aaron Rodgers
LT: Bob Skoronski
LG: Gale Gillingham
C: Frank Winters
RG: Jerry Kramer
RT: Forrest Gregg
RB: Elijah Pitts
WR: Antonio Freeman
WR: Jordy Nelson
WR: Max McGee
Defense
DE: Reggie White
DT: Henry Jordan
DT: Gilbert Brown
DE: Willie Davis
LB: Clay Matthews
LB: Ray Nitschke
LB: Dave Robinson
CB: Herb Adderley
S: Willie Wood
S: Nick Collins
CB: Doug Evans
Specialists
K: Don Chandler
P: Craig Hentrich
KR: Desmond Howard
PR: Desmond Howard
Bart Starr was the MVP of Super Bowls I and II, and Favre threw for five touchdowns and one interception in Super Bowls XXXI and XXXII, but Rodgers had the best individual game (304 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs) in Super Bowl XLV.
If we're basing this team on Super Bowl performances, McGee has to be one of the receivers. He wasn't even expecting to play in Super Bowl I, so he spent a night on the town on the eve of the game. When Boyd Dowler separated his shoulder early in the game, McGee came off the bench and caught the first touchdown ever in a Super Bowl and finished with seven catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns after having only four catches for 91 yards and a touchdown the entire regular season.
Some stars did not make this team because they barely played in the Super Bowl. That's why Charles Woodson was omitted. He broke his collarbone in the second quarter of Super Bowl XLV. -- Rob Demovsky
Indianapolis Colts
4 Super Bowls (2-2): III, V, XLI, XLIV
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Peyton Manning
RB: Joseph Addai
WR: Marvin Harrison
WR: Reggie Wayne
TE: John Mackey
TE: Dallas Clark
OT: Tarik Glenn
G: Ryan Lilja
C: Jeff Saturday
G: John Williams
OT: Bob Vogel
Defense
DE: Dwight Freeney (also on Falcons roster)
DT: Fred Miller
DT: Booger McFarland
DE: Robert Mathis
LB: Ted Hendricks
LB: Gary Brackett
LB: Mike Curtis
CB: Bobby Boyd
FS: Bob Sanders
SS: Jerry Logan
CB: Kelvin Hayden
Special teams
P: Pat McAfee
K: Adam Vinatieri (also on Patriots roster)
LS: Justin Snow
KR/PR: Terrence Wilkins
We had two Hall of Fame quarterbacks to choose from, spanning vastly different eras, in Johnny Unitas and Peyton Manning. But, as great as Unitas was, he didn't have particularly memorable performances in his two Super Bowl appearances, completing a combined 14 of 32 passes.
Manning threw a historically significant interception that changed the game for the Saints in Super XLIV, but he was otherwise very productive in his two appearances with Indy. Manning winning MVP in Super Bowl XLI provided an easy tiebreaker between the two QBs, but it wasn't ultimately necessary.
Many of the other choices were much easier considering they involved some of the greatest players in franchise history, such as Marvin Harrison, John Mackey and Adam Vinatieri.
But one challenge was picking between running backs Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai. Rhodes' 117-yard rushing performance in Super Bowl XLI is notable. But Addai wins out because of his broad impact as a runner and receiver in two Super Bowls. Addai averaged 139 scrimmage yards in his two appearances. -- Stephen Holder
Kansas City Chiefs
7 Super Bowls (4-3): I, IV, LIV, LV, LVII, LVIII, LIX
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Patrick Mahomes
RB: Damien Williams
WR: Otis Taylor
WR: Tyreek Hill
WR: Sammy Watkins
TE: Travis Kelce
LT: Jim Tyrer
LG: Joe Thuney (also on Patriots roster)
C: Creed Humphrey
RG: Trey Smith
RT: Mitchell Schwartz
Defense
LDE: Bobby Bell
LDT: Chris Jones
RDT: Buck Buchanan
RDE: Frank Clark
OLB: Nick Bolton
MLB: Willie Lanier
OLB: Jim Lynch
LCB: Trent McDuffie
SS: Tyrann Mathieu
FS: Johnny Robinson
RCB: Emmitt Thomas
Special teams
P: Dustin Colquitt
K: Harrison Butker
LS: James Winchester
KR: Mecole Hardman
PR: Kadarius Toney
The Chiefs have been the NFL's most recent dynasty, winning three Super Bowls in a five-year stretch. This roster shows a nice blend of the franchise's two golden eras, as the Chiefs played a significant role in the AFL before the 1966 AFL-NFL merger.
Patrick Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP, leads an offense full of explosive weapons. Damien Williams played perhaps the best game of his career in Super Bowl LIV (133 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns). Travis Kelce, of course, is one of the best tight ends in league history. Each member of the offensive line has earned an All-Pro or Pro Bowl honor.
The defense is led by six members of the 1969 team, as three players -- Willie Lanier, Emmitt Thomas and Johnny Robinson -- each had an interception in Super Bowl IV. The best part of the unit could be the secondary, featuring two Hall of Famers (Thomas and Robinson) and two All-Pro players (Trent McDuffie and Tyrann Mathieu).
After Harrison Butker's clutch kicking, the Chiefs' most exciting play on special teams was Kadarius Toney's memorable 65-yard punt return in Super Bowl LVII, the longest such return in Super Bowl history. -- Nate Taylor
Miami Dolphins
5 Super Bowls (2-3): VI, VII, VIII, XVII, XIX
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Dan Marino
RB: Jim Kiick
FB: Larry Csonka
WR: Mark Clayton
WR: Paul Warfield
TE: Joe Rose
LT: Wayne Moore
LG: Bob Kuechenberg
C: Jim Langer
RG: Larry Little
RT: Norm Evans
Defense
LDE: Vern Den Herder
LDT: Manny Fernandez
RDT: Bob Heinz
RDE: Bill Stanfill
LB: Mike Kolen
LB: Jay Brophy
LB: Nick Buoniconti
CB: Curtis Johnson
SS: Jake Scott
FS: Dick Anderson
CB: Lloyd Mumphord
Special teams
P: Larry Seiple
K: Uwe von Schamann
LS: Howard Kindig
KR: Fulton Walker
PR: Jake Scott
Would anyone argue if we ran the entire 1972 squad, the last NFL team to go undefeated? Probably not, but two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Bob Griese completed 14 combined passes across two appearances. Sure, he won both games, but for the sake of putting up numbers, let's go with Dan Marino, who threw for 318 yards and a touchdown against two interceptions in his loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Mark Clayton and Joe Rose each caught six passes in Super Bowl XIX, but the entire offensive line from Miami's two Super Bowl victories remains intact thanks to the 380 combined rushing yards those teams put up. Jake Scott and Nick Buoniconti both recorded interceptions in Super Bowl VII, while Uwe von Schamann's three field goals in Super Bowl XIX make him the de facto kicker on the Dolphins' all-time team. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques
Minnesota Vikings
4 Super Bowls (0-4): IV, VIII, IX, XI
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Fran Tarkenton
RB: Chuck Foreman
FB: Bill Brown
WR: Ahmad Rashad
WR: Sammy White
TE: Stu Voight
LT: Grady Alderman
LG: Ed White
C: Mick Tingelhoff
RG: Milt Sunde
RT: Ron Yary
Defense
DE: Jim Marshall
DT: Alan Page
DT: Tie: Gary Larsen/Doug Sutherland
DE: Carl Eller
OLB: Wally Hilgenberg
MLB: Jeff Siemon
OLB: Roy Winston
CB: Nate Wright
S: Paul Krause
S: Jeff Wright
CB: Bobby Bryant
Special teams
P: Mike Eischeid
K: Fred Cox
LS: Mick Tingelhoff
KR: Brent McClanahan
PR: Charlie West
The Vikings' four Super Bowl losses all came in an eight-season stretch from 1968 to 1976. It would be decades before free agency began in the NFL, meaning the Vikings kept much of their core intact during that run. Six players from that era are in the Hall of Fame -- Fran Tarkenton, Mick Tingelhoff, Ron Yary, Alan Page, Carl Eller and Paul Krause -- in addition to coach Bud Grant and general manager Jim Finks.
Many contemporaries argue that Jim Marshall and Chuck Foreman also merited Hall of Fame status. But neither played particularly well in any of the Super Bowls, as the Vikings lost by an average margin of 15.25 points per game. Their offense scored 14, 7, 7 and 6 points, and some believe that their best team of that era -- in 1975 -- was robbed of postseason advancement by the first-ever game-winning "Hail Mary" during the divisional round. -- Kevin Seifert
New England Patriots
12 Super Bowls (6-6): XX, XXXI, XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLII, XLVI, XLIX, LI, LII, LIII, LX
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Tom Brady (also on Buccaneers roster)
RB: Antowain Smith
RB: James White
WR: Deion Branch
WR: Julian Edelman
TE: Rob Gronkowski (also on Buccaneers roster)
LT: Matt Light
LG: Joe Thuney (also on Chiefs roster)
C: David Andrews
RG: Shaq Mason
RT: Sebastian Vollmer
Defense
OLB: Willie McGinest
DT: Richard Seymour
DT: Vince Wilfork
OLB: Mike Vrabel
LB: Tedy Bruschi
LB: Dont'a Hightower
CB: Stephon Gilmore
CB: Ty Law
CB: Malcolm Butler
S: Rodney Harrison
S: Patrick Chung
Special teams
K: Adam Vinatieri (also on Colts roster)
P: Ryan Allen
LS: Lonie Paxton
KR: Danny Amendola
PR: Troy Brown
With 12 Super Bowls to evaluate, this wasn't easy, and some deserving candidates didn't make the cut.
In some cases where it was viewed as a draw, the number of Super Bowl appearances was used to break the stalemate (e.g., Patrick Chung over Devin McCourty at safety). Meanwhile, a Most Valuable Player award meant an automatic bid, so that simplified things at wide receiver with Deion Branch and Julian Edelman.
Some were truly flip-a-coin picks: David Andrews or Dan Koppen at center? Really wanted to put both on there. Likewise with Shaq Mason and Joe Andruzzi at right guard. One area where some liberties were taken -- using the returner spots (where there was no clear-cut choice) to include two players (Danny Amendola, Troy Brown) who played major roles in some magical championship moments. -- Mike Reiss
New York Giants
5 Super Bowls (4-1): XXI, XXV, XXXV, XLII, XLVI
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Eli Manning
RB: Ottis Anderson
FB: Maurice Carthon
WR: Hakeem Nicks
WR: David Tyree
TE: Mark Bavaro
LT: David Diehl
LG: William Roberts
C: Bart Oates
RG: Chris Snee
RT: Kareem McKenzie
Defense
LDE: Justin Tuck
DT: Keith Hamilton
RDE: Leonard Marshall
OLB: Lawrence Taylor
OLB: Carl Banks
MLB: Harry Carson
ILB: Chase Blackburn
OLB: Antonio Pierce
CB: Corey Webster
CB: Mark Collins
SS: Gibril Wilson
FS: Kenny Phillips
Special teams
P: Sean Landetta
K: Lawrence Tynes
LS: Zak DeOssie
KR: Ron Dixon
PR: Phil McConkey
Imagine a world where you're choosing between Michael Strahan and perhaps the greatest defensive player of all time in Lawrence Taylor. A universe where you're forced to choose between Eli Manning and the quarterback who had the greatest Super Bowl performance in history in Phil Simms (record 150.9 passer rating).
This is based only on how the players performed in the Super Bowls, not on the road leading up to those games. That's why Taylor was in question. He didn't record a sack in either of his two appearances but still landed on the list ahead of Strahan because he won two Super Bowls and had four tackles (two for a loss) in the first.
Manning also was the choice over Simms because he did it twice, in spectacular fashion no less. Simms had only one Super Bowl start, even if he was close to flawless in that contest.
For most franchises, that would've been enough. But the Giants have been to five Super Bowls, and the choices were plentiful. -- Jordan Raanan
Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
5 Super Bowls (3-2): II, XI, XV, XVIII, XXXVII
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Jim Plunkett
RB: Marcus Allen
FB: Mark van Eeghen
WR: Cliff Branch
WR: Fred Biletnikoff
TE: Dave Casper
LT: Art Shell
LG: Gene Upshaw
C: Jim Otto
RG: Wayne Hawkins
RT: Lincoln Kennedy
Defense
DE: Howie Long
DT: John Parrella
DT: Tom Keating
DE: Ben Davidson
OLB: Rod Martin
MLB: Dan Conners
ILB: Eric Barton
LCB: Charles Woodson
SS: Anthony Dorsett
FS: Rod Woodson (also on Ravens roster)
RCB: Willie Brown
Special teams
P: Ray Guy
K: Sebastian Janikowski
LS: Todd Christensen
KR: Marcus Knight
PR: Darrien Gordon (also on Broncos roster)
The Raiders' offense consists of a trio of Super Bowl MVPs. Quarterback Jim Plunkett was named MVP of Super Bowl XV after throwing for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff took home the award after his four-catch, 79-yard performance in Super Bowl XI. Lastly, running back Marcus Allen put together a dominant performance, rushing for 191 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries to help the Raiders defeat Washington in Super Bowl XVIII. The offensive line features Hall of Famers such as Art Shell and Gene Upshaw.
Defensively, outside linebacker Rod Martin collected three interceptions and five tackles in Super Bowl XV. He was also one of six players to record a sack in Super Bowl XVIII. Todd Christensen went on to become a Hall of Fame tight end, but he was a long-snapper in Super Bowl XV. -- Ryan McFadden
Philadelphia Eagles
5 Super Bowls (2-3): XV, XXXIX, LII, LVII, LIX
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Jalen Hurts
RB: Corey Clement
FB: LeRoy Harris
WR: Terrell Owens
WR: DeVonta Smith
TE: Zach Ertz
LT: Tra Thomas
LG: Landon Dickerson
C: Jason Kelce
RG: Brandon Brooks
RT: Lane Johnson
Defense
DE: Brandon Graham
DT: Charlie Johnson
DT: Fletcher Cox
DE: Josh Sweat
Nickel: Cooper DeJean
ILB: Bill Bergey
ILB: Zack Baun
LCB: Jalen Mills
SS: Michael Lewis
FS: Malcolm Jenkins
RCB: Quinyon Mitchell
Special teams
P: Braden Mann
K: Jake Elliott
LS: Rick Lovato
KR: Kenjon Barner
PR: Brian Westbrook
From Brandon Graham's strip sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII to DeVonta Smith's "Dagger" in Super Bowl LIX, the men who made some of the biggest moments in Eagles history are represented on the list.
There are stars from different eras, from receiver Terrell Owens (who can forget him coming out of the hyperbaric chamber to post nine catches for 122 yards against the Patriots on one good leg?) to linebacker Bill Bergey, as well as less heralded players, such as running back Corey Clement, who met the moment and helped make Philly special for a snapshot in time.
Perhaps no one did so in more memorable fashion than Nick Foles, stepping in for Carson Wentz and helping deliver the city its first Lombardi Trophy. But Jalen Hurts gets the nod at quarterback for making it to the dance twice and outdueling the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes on the biggest stage over the course of two games. -- Tim McManus
Pittsburgh Steelers
8 Super Bowls (6-2): IX, X, XIII, XIV, XXX, XL, XLIII, XLV
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Terry Bradshaw
RB: Willie Parker
FB: Franco Harris
WR: John Stallworth
WR: Lynn Swann
TE: Heath Miller
LT: Jon Kolb
LG: Alan Faneca
C: Mike Webster
RG: Gerry Mullins
RT: Larry Brown
Offense
LDE: L.C. Greenwood
LDT: Joe Greene
NT: Casey Hampton
OLB: James Harrison
OLB: Jack Ham
MLB: Jack Lambert
ILB: James Farrior
LCB: Mel Blount
SS: Troy Polamalu
FS: Ryan Clark
RCB: Ike Taylor
Special teams
P: Craig Colquitt
K: Jeff Reed
LS: Greg Warren
KR: Larry Anderson
PR: Theo Bell
With eight Super Bowl rosters, the Steelers had an embarrassment of riches that made picking the all-time roster difficult -- especially with the wealth of talent at wide receiver, running back and defense.
The toughest decision was leaving off wide receiver Santonio Holmes after his MVP performance in Super Bowl XLIII, but both John Stallworth and Lynn Swann edged him out because they each won four Lombardi Trophies.
And, of course, it was tough to leave Jerome Bettis off this roster, but Willie Parker sealed his fate thanks to the 75-yard touchdown run in Super Bowl XL -- the longest touchdown run in Super Bowl history.
And on defense, it felt like malpractice not to include DE Aaron Smith, but ultimately, I tweaked the lineup by swapping in an OLB to include James Harrison and his 100-yard pick-six rather than adding Smith with Joe Greene. -- Brooke Pryor
San Francisco 49ers
8 Super Bowls (5-3): XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, XXIX, XLVII, LIV, LVIII
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Joe Montana
RB: Roger Craig
FB: Tom Rathman
WR: Jerry Rice
WR: John Taylor
TE: Vernon Davis
LT: Steve Wallace
LG: Guy McIntyre
C: Jesse Sapolu
RG: Randy Cross
RT: Harris Barton
Defense
EDGE: Nick Bosa
LDT: Bryant Young
RDT: DeForest Buckner
EDGE: Charles Haley (also on Cowboys roster)
OLB: Keena Turner
MLB: Fred Warner
OLB: Dan Bunz
LCB: Eric Wright
SS: Ronnie Lott
FS: Dwight Hicks
RCB: Deion Sanders
Special teams
K: Ray Wersching
P: Andy Lee
LS: Brian Jennings
KR: Dexter Carter
PR: Taylor
For a team with eight Super Bowl appearances, the decisions are tough, but this roster leans toward the dynastic Niners of the 1980s and '90s. Joe Montana over Steve Young is a tough call given Young's record-setting performance in Super Bowl XXIX, but Montana's perfect record and resumé are among the greatest on the game's grandest stage.
From there, the Niners have an embarrassment of riches at left tackle and linebacker that was also difficult to sort. Steve Wallace's excellence in multiple games gives him the edge over Bubba Paris, Joe Staley and Trent Williams.
Sifting through Fred Warner, Dan Bunz and Patrick Willis at middle linebacker was so hard that we had to fudge things a bit and put Bunz at OLB because of his goal-line stand in Super Bowl XVI. Safety also required some maneuvering because the options were rich, but no Niners Super Bowl team would be complete without Ronnie Lott leading it. Dwain Board, Fred Dean and Michael Carter also merited strong consideration on the defensive line. -- Nick Wagoner
Seattle Seahawks
4 Super Bowls (2-2): XL, XLVIII, XLIX, LX
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Russell Wilson
RB: Kenneth Walker III
RB: Marshawn Lynch
TE: AJ Barner
WR: Doug Baldwin
WR: Chris Matthews
LT: Walter Jones
LG: Steve Hutchinson
C: Max Unger
RG: Chris Gray
RT: Abraham Lucas
Defense
Edge: Derick Hall
DT: Michael Bennett
DT: Byron Murphy II
Edge: Chris Clemons
LB: Bobby Wagner
LB: Malcolm Smith
S: Kam Chancellor
S: Julian Love
S: Earl Thomas II
CB: Devon Witherspoon
CB: Richard Sherman
Special teams
K: Jason Myers
P: Michael Dickson
LS: Chris Stoll
KR: Percy Harvin
PR: Rashid Shaheed
If Mike Macdonald can go with three safeties at once, so can we. That allowed us to squeeze in an all-time Seahawks great in Earl Thomas II, though linebacker Ernest Jones IV could have made it in his place. There was one other roster liberty taken. Marshawn Lynch joins Kenneth Walker III, the Super Bowl LX MVP, as a second tailback because Lynch went Beast Mode (172 total yards and two TDs over Super Bowls XLVIII and XLIX) and was more deserving than another receiver.
This exercise was about identifying the best performances. That's why Chris Matthews (the hero of Super Bowl XLIX) got the nod and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (27 receiving yards in Super Bowl LX) did not. Leonard Williams was another big name who missed the cut, with Michael Bennett getting the nod thanks to his four QB hits in Super Bowl XLIX.
There were some no-brainers. Kam Chancellor was arguably the real MVP of Super Bowl XLVIII, an honor that went to Malcolm Smith. Devon Witherspoon, Byron Murphy II, Derick Hall and Jason Myers all would have been justifiable MVP selections in Super Bowl LX. -- Brady Henderson
St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams
5 Super Bowls (4-1): I, II, XXXI, XXXII, XLV
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Kurt Warner
RB: Marshall Faulk
WR: Isaac Bruce
WR: Torry Holt
WR: Cooper Kupp
TE: Brycen Hopkins
LT: Orlando Pace
LG: Tom Nütten
C: Brian Allen
RG: Adam Timmerman
RT: Rob Havenstein
Defense
EDGE: Leonard Little
DT: Aaron Donald
DT: A'Shawn Robinson
EDGE: Von Miller (also on Broncos roster)
LB: Ernest Jones IV
LB: London Fletcher
LB: Cory Littleton
CB: Jalen Ramsey
S: Adam Archuleta
S: Mark Barron
CB: Rod Perry
Special teams
P: Johnny Hekker
K: Jeff Wilkins
LS: Jake McQuaide
KR: Yo Murphy
PR: Brandon Powell
The biggest debate was at quarterback with Kurt Warner over Matthew Stafford. Warner played in two Super Bowls and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV. Warner's January 2000 performance (24-of-45 for 414 yards and two touchdowns) got the nod over Stafford's stat line in Super Bowl LVI. In that game, Stafford completed 26 of 40 passes for 283 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
In general, what stood out on this all-time roster was the talent at receiver with Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt and Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp. In Super Bowl XXXIV, Bruce had six catches for 162 yards and a touchdown and Holt had seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. -- Sarah Barshop
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2 Super Bowls (2-0): XXXVII, LV
All-time Super Bowl roster:
Offense
QB: Tom Brady (also on Patriots roster)
RB: Leonard Fournette
FB: Mike Alstott
WR: Mike Evans
WR: Joe Jurevicius
TE: Rob Gronkowski (also on Patriots roster)
LT: Donovan Smith
LG: Ali Marpet
C: Ryan Jensen
RG: Aaron Stinnie
RT: Tristan Wirfs
Defense
LDE: Shaq Barrett
LDT: Ndamukong Suh
RDT: Warren Sapp
RDE: Simeon Rice
OLB: Derrick Brooks
MLB: Lavonte David
OLB: Devin White
LCB: Sean Murphy-Bunting
SS: Dwight Smith
FS: Dexter Jackson
RCB: Ronde Barber
Special teams
P: Bradley Pinion
K: Ryan Succop
LS: Zach Triner
KR: Jaydon Mickens
PR: Karl Williams
With an emphasis on performances in the Super Bowl, some controversial decisions were made, including the omission of Pro Football Hall of Famer John Lynch.
Dwight Smith had two pick-sixes from the nickelback position, but his roster position was safety, and I couldn't deny Dexter Jackson, the Super Bowl XXXVII MVP. I also went with Joe Jurevicius over Chris Godwin Jr. because the Bucs would not have won the NFC championship without Jurevicius' 71-yard reception.
I paired Ndamukong Suh with Warren Sapp rather than Vita Vea because he had 1.5 sacks on the big night. There's also chaos at linebacker with Derrick Brooks, Lavonte David and Devin White in a 4-3, because who's the true middle linebacker? I'll take my chances.
And while White's career as a Buc fizzled quickly, he produced a staggering 38 tackles (27 solo), three tackles for a loss, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups in three postseason games after missing the wild-card round with COVID-19. -- Jenna Laine
Washington
5 Super Bowls (3-2): VII, XVII, XVIII, XXII, XXVI
All-time Super Bowl roster:
QB: Doug Williams
RB: Timmy Smith
RB: John Riggins
WR: Ricky Sanders
WR: Gary Clark
WR: Art Monk
OT: Joe Jacoby
LG: Russ Grimm
C: Jeff Bostic
RG: Mark May
OT: Jim Lachey
Defense
LDE: Charles Mann
LDT: Dave Butz
RDT: Darryl Grant
RDE: Dexter Manley
LB: Wilber Marshall (also on Bears roster)
LB: Neal Olkewicz
LB: Chris Hanburger
LCB: Darrell Green
S: Mark Murphy
S: Brad Edwards
RCB: Barry Wilburn
Special teams
P: Jeff Hayes
K: Mark Moseley
LS: Jeff Bostic
KR: Mike Nelms
PR: Darrell Green
Along the offensive line, Joe Jacoby, Russ Grimm, Jeff Bostic and Mark May all won at least two titles. The difficult part was leaving off tight end Donnie Warren, who played on three Super Bowl winners as an effective blocker. But a key part of those teams was the trio of receivers: Gary Clark, Ricky Sanders and Art Monk.
Doug Williams was not the team's best quarterback during this stretch, but he had a historic game and record-setting quarter in Super Bowl XXII. Timmy Smith did little outside of the Super Bowl, but he set a record with 204 rushing yards in the game Williams started. They weren't alone: Ricky Sanders set a Super Bowl record with 193 yards in that 42-10 win over Denver in January 1988.
Defensively, the only player from a non-winning game was linebacker Chris Hanburger from the 1972 team -- but he keyed a defense that held Miami to 14 points. Safety Mark Murphy had a key interception versus Miami in Super Bowl XVII, and corner Barry Wilburn intercepted two passes against Denver, the same number Brad Edwards picked off versus Buffalo in January 1992. -- John Keim
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