The modern NFL is defined by the passing game, and nowhere is that more evident than in the Super Bowl. Over the last 25 years, the league has transitioned from balanced offenses to high-volume aerial attacks, forcing quarterbacks to shoulder an immense workload on the biggest stage. This list ranks the signal-callers who have been asked to drop back and throw the most times in the Super Bowl since the turn of the millennium, highlighting the sheer 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 attempts across the two contests. While his first outing was a dominant 43-8 victory over Denver, where efficiency was key, his second appearance required more volume as he threw 21 times in a tight loss to New England. Despite the infamous interception that ended his repeat bid, Wilson maintains a career Super Bowl passer rating of 117.4 with four touchdown passes.
9. Matt Hasselbeck
Attempts: 49
Hasselbeck’s lone appearance in Super Bowl XL remains one of the busiest passing performances in Seahawks history. Tasked with overcoming a swarming Pittsburgh Steelers defense, he dropped back 49 times, completing 26 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown. Although Seattle fell short in the 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 high-volume passing game as the Philadelphia Eagles played from behind 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 attempts stood as the third-most in a single Super Bowl game at the time, reflecting the Eagles’ reliance on his arm to counter the Patriots’ dynasty.
7. Jalen Hurts
Attempts: 60
Hurts has quickly climbed this list following two high-scoring Super Bowl duels 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 has proven to be a dual-threat engine capable of sustaining passing volume alongside his rushing production. In just two appearances, he has combined for 525 passing yards and a completion percentage of over 73%, cementing his status as a premier big-game performer.
6. Eli Manning
Attempts: 74
Manning’s reputation as a “giant killer” was built on two distinct performances against the Patriots in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI. Across these two victories, he totaled 74 attempts, completing 65% of his passes and earning MVP honors in both games. Unlike other quarterbacks on this list who relied on volume in losing efforts, Manning’s attempts were calculated and efficient, culminating in game-winning drives that secured two championships for New York.
5. Kurt Warner
Attempts: 87
Warner’s three Super Bowl appearances (XXXIV, XXXVI, XLIII) were defined by explosive passing yardage, resulting in 87 total attempts since 2000. He eclipsed 360 yards in all three games, a league record, and his 45 attempts for Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII nearly led to an improbable upset victory. Warner’s volume wasn’t just about quantity; he consistently pushed the ball downfield, owning the top three single-game passing yardage totals in Super Bowl history for over a decade.
4. Ben Roethlisberger
Attempts: 91
Roethlisberger’s three Super Bowl starts trace his evolution from a game-manager to the centerpiece of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense. After a low-volume win 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 extend plays and handle high-pressure passing situations was instrumental in delivering two championships to Pittsburgh during his tenure.
3. Peyton Manning
Attempts: 155
Over four Super Bowl starts with the Colts and Broncos, Manning accumulated 155 attempts, reflecting his status as the primary driver of his team’s offense. He won two titles (XLI, 50) and threw for over 1,000 combined yards in the Big Game, often operating 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 the loss to Seattle in Super Bowl XLVIII.
2. Patrick Mahomes
Attempts: 196
Mahomes has redefined the quarterback position, reaching five Super Bowls in a six-year span to amass nearly 200 attempts. From his comeback victory in Super Bowl LIV to his recent battles against Philadelphia, he has averaged nearly 40 attempts per game on the sport’s biggest stage. With three Super Bowl MVPs and a passer rating of 86.9 across these contests, his high usage rate correlates directly with the Chiefs’ establishment as the league’s modern dynasty.
1. Tom Brady
Attempts: 421
Brady’s record of 421 attempts is a statistical anomaly that speaks to his unprecedented longevity and sustained dominance. Across 10 Super Bowl appearances, he completed 277 passes for 3,039 yards and 21 touchdowns; figures that effectively double the production of the next closest player. His volume spans two decades of football evolution, from his 27 attempts in his first victory in 2002 to his record-setting 62 attempts in the Super Bowl LI comeback against Atlanta.
Volume meets victory
The gap between Tom Brady and the field illustrates just how rare it is to sustain a high-volume passing offense in the Super Bowl over multiple decades. However, the rapid ascent of Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts suggests a new era where 40-attempt games are becoming the standard rather than the exception. As rules continue to favor the offense, expect the quarterbacks on this list to be challenged by the next generation of passers who are asked to air it out early and often.
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