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The Super Bowl is the grandest stage in American football, where legends are made and history is written. For most quarterbacks, reaching this pinnacle takes years of experience, setbacks, and growth. However, a select few have defied the odds by leading their teams to the biggest game of the season in their very first year.
Rookie quarterbacks rarely get the opportunity to start in a Super Bowl, making it a remarkable feat when it happens. But just how many have accomplished this? In this article, we take a deep dive into the history of the Super Bowl to uncover the rare instances where a rookie quarterback has stepped onto the field with a championship on the line.
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How many rookies have won Super Bowl MVP?
In NFL history, only six rookie quarterbacks have started in a Conference Championship game in their first year, with none making it to the Super Bowl.
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders vs.Philadelphia Eagles in 2024-2025
- Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers vs Philadelphia Eagles in 2022-23
- Mark Sanchez, New York Jets vs Indianapolis Colts in 2009-10
- Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008-09
- Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots in 2004-05
- Shaun King, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. St. Louis Rams in 1999-2000
Two other players, Dieter Brock and Pat Haden, technically rookies in the NFL, won their first playoff games after playing in other football leagues.
Despite rookie quarterbacks coming close to winning Super Bowl MVP, none have achieved the feat. Kurt Warner, though not a rookie, was named Super Bowl MVP in his first year as a starter for the St. Louis Rams, having gone undrafted the year before.
Similarly, Tom Brady won Super Bowl MVP in his first year as a starter for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI, but he didn't qualify as a rookie since he was drafted the year prior.
Has a Rookie QB Ever Won the Super Bowl?
In the 57 years of the games existence, no rookie quarterback has ever won a Super Bowl.
In fact, no rookie has ever even reached the Super Bowl as the starter for a team.