NFL: Quarterbacks with most passing attempts in Super Bowl since 2000

The modern NFL is defined by the passing game, and nowhere is that more evident than in the Super Bowl. Over the past 25 years, the league has transitioned from balanced offenses to high-volume passing attacks, which has forced quarterbacks to shoulder a greater workload on the biggest stage. This list ranks the signal callers who have been asked to back and throw the most times in the Super Bowl since the turn of the millennium, highlighting the volume required to compete for the Lombardi Trophy.

10. Russell Wilson

Attempts: 46

Wilson made back-to-back appearances with the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowls XLVIII and XLIX, accumulating 46 tackles across the two contests. While his first outing was a dominant 43-8 win over Denver, where efficiency was key, his second appearance required more volume as he threw 21 times in a tough loss to New England. Despite the embarrassing attack that ended his bid to repeat, Wilson maintains a Super Bowl passer rating of 117.4 with four touchdown passes.

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9. Matt Hasselbeck

Attempts: 49

Hasselbeck’s lone appearance in Super Bowl XL remains one of the busiest in Seahawks history. Tasked with overcoming the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense, he dropped 49 times, completing 26 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown. Although Seattle fell short in a 21-10 loss, Hasselbeck’s high usage rate underscored his role as the focal point of the offense during the franchise’s first-ever trip to the championship game.

8. Donovan McNabb

Attempts: 51

In Super Bowl XXXIX against the New England Patriots, McNabb was forced into a pass game as the Philadelphia Eagles trailed in the fourth quarter. He finished the night completing 30 of his 51 attempts for 357 yards and three touchdowns, keeping his team competitive until the final minute. His 51 tackles were the third most in a single Super Bowl game during that stretch, showing the Eagles’ reliance on their arm to counter the Patriots’ dominance.

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7. Jalen Pain

Attempts: 60

Hurts quickly moved up the list following two Super Bowl-high scores against the Kansas City Chiefs in recent years. Between his 38 attempts in Super Bowl LVII and his 22 attempts in the Super Bowl LIX rematch, he proved to be a dual-threat engine capable of sustaining passing volume alongside his rushing production. In just two appearances, he has amassed 525 passing yards and a completion percentage of over 73%, solidifying his status as the big game’s best player.

6. Eli Manning

Attempts: 74

Manning’s reputation as the “big killer” was built on two separate plays against the Patriots in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI. Across these two victories, he made 74 attempts, completed 65% of his passes and earned MVP honors in both games. Unlike the other quarterbacks on this list who rely on volume in passing attempts, Manning’s efforts were calculated and effective, culminating in a game-winning drive that secured two championships for New York.

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5. Kurt Warner

Attempts: 87

Warner’s three Super Bowl appearances (XXXIV, XXXVI, XLIII) have been defined by an explosion of yardage, leading to 87 attempts since 2000. He passed for 360 yards in all three games, a league record, and his 45 attempts for Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII almost led to an improbable victory. Warner’s volume wasn’t just in abundance; he has been pushing the ball downfield, holding the third most passing yards in one game in Super Bowl history for more than a decade.​​

4. Ben Roethlisberger

Attempts: 91

Roethlisberger’s three Super Bowl starts trace his evolution from game manager to centerpiece of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense. After winning with a low volume in Super Bowl XL (21 attempts), he saw his workload increase significantly in Super Bowls XLIII and XLV, where he combined for 70 attempts. His ability to stretch games and handle high-pressure situations was instrumental in bringing two championships to Pittsburgh during his tenure.

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3. Peyton Manning

Attempts: 155

Over four Super Bowl starts with the Colts and Broncos, Manning has collected 155 attempts, showing his status as the main driver of his team’s offense. He won two titles (XLI, 50) and threw for more than 1,000 combined yards in the Big Game, often working out of the no-huddle to control the tempo. Even in his losses, Manning’s volume remained high, including a Super Bowl record 34 completions in a loss to Seattle in Super Bowl XLVIII.

2. Patrick Mahomes

Attempts: 196

Mahomes redefined the quarterback position, reaching five Super Bowls in a six-year span to accumulate nearly 200 attempts. From his Super Bowl LIV victory to his recent struggles against Philadelphia, he averaged 40 attempts per game in sports’ biggest division. With three Super Bowl MVPs and an 86.9 passer rating across all of these contests, his high usage rate is directly related to the Chiefs’ establishment as the league’s modern dynasty.

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1. Tom Brady

Attempts: 421

Brady’s record of 421 attempts is a staggering statistic that speaks to his unprecedented longevity and continued dominance. Across 10 Super Bowl appearances, he completed 277 passes for 3,039 yards and 21 touchdowns; stats that effectively double the production of the next closest player. His volume covers two decades of football evolution, from his 27 attempts in his first victory in 2002 to his record 62 attempts in the comeback in Super Bowl LI against Atlanta.

Volume meets victory

The gap between Tom Brady and the field shows how difficult it is to keep a high-volume passing offense in the Super Bowl in decades. However, the rapid rise of Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts heralds a new era in which 40-attempt games are becoming the norm instead of the exception. As the rules continue to favor the offense, expect the quarterbacks on this roster to be challenged by the next generation of passers who are asked to deliver early and often.

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