Throughout the history of the game, the role of the quarterback has always been one of the most important and defining one in the lineup. However, when the quarterback fails to do his job properly, the whole team can suffer quite dramatically. Let’s take a look at some of the worst performances from quarterbacks over the history of the game and remember that if your QB does poorly, the team tends to do poorly too.
Jim Kelly
Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly reacts after Ronnie Harmon dropped a touchdown pass that could have won a playoff game against the Cleveland Browns.
Jim Kelly and Frank Reich have, to date, one of the worst SuperBowl XXVI performances in history with the situation unraveling quickly as the game progressed. Kelly threw four interceptions and two touchdowns but got sacked 5 times. He did manage to complete 28-58 passes but ultimately lost the game for the Buffalo’s against Washington with a close 37 – 24 defeat during a crucial SuperBowl game. It will go down as one of the most important slip-ups in history.
Kerry Collins
Tennessee Titans quarterback Kerry Collins (5) his set to throws a pass against the Houston Texans at LP Field in Nashville on Sept. 20, 2009. The Titans lost their home opener 34-31.
Kerry Collins easily has one of the worst Quarter Back performances of SuperBowl history. During SuperBowl XXXV, Collins was playing in the starting lineup for the New York Giants. Throughout the game, he managed to complete 15 of 39 passes, gained only 112 yards, threw 4 interceptions and was sacked four times. Balitmore dominated the game throughout eventually handing the Giants a 34 – 7 loss.
Cam Newton
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton yells “I’m back!” after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in a game in 2021.
Cam Newton is one of the few Quarter Backs who entered his year of the SuperBowl as an MVP but sadly, struggled badly. He completed 18 of 41 passes, threw a whopping zero touchdowns and added one interception. He also absorbed 6 sacks. AS the game progressed, Denver’s defense overwhelmed Carolina leading the Denver Bronco’s to a 24 – 10 victory over Carolina, exposing how seriously unforgiving the SuperBowl can be.
John Elway
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During SuperBowl XXIV, John Elway had his worst performance to date. The Quarter Back managed to throw for only a meagre 108 yards, tossed a meagre two interceptions, and took four sacks. Denver suffered a staggering 55 – 10 loss against San Francisco in a serious blowout, but thankfully, Elway eventually managed to recover from the awful performance marking a successful rise from career low to high.
Rich Gannon
Feb 2, 2011; Dallas, TX, USA; Rich Gannon is pressured by Warren Moon in the Tazon Latino V flag football game at the NFL Experience for Super Bowl XLV at the Dallas Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images
Rich Gannon is another MVP who somehow managed to really mess up his SuperBowl XXXVII performance against Tampa Bay. Tampa’s defense intercepted him a whopping 5 timesd and also managed to sack him a record 5 times before he could solidify any real moves. Oakland fell behind quickly and only managed a very low 48-21 loss against Tampa in the game that marked the sharp decline of Gannon’s career as a star Quarter Back.
John Elway (Again)
Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway scrambles during Super Bowl XXIV against the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 28, 1990 in New Orleans.
Despite being a capable and well-performing athlete, Elway has had more than one SuperBowl flop. In his SuperBowl XXII performance against Washington, he managed to complete 14 of 38 passes, threw three interceptions but took 5 sacks. Denver had a strong start, but the game quickly unfolded into a chaotic melee that left them on the losing end of a 42 – 10 wipeout that seriously reinforced doubts about Elway’s championship career.
Chris Chandler
Dec 12, 1999; San Francisco, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Chris Chandler (12) in action against the San Francisco 49ers at 3Com Park. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
Chris Chandler managed to reach the peak of his career with his SuperBowl XXXIII appearance, however, his performance during the game fell drastically short of anything worthy of a SuperBowl performance. He threw 3 interceptions against Denver, managed only one touchdown, and managed a 47.2 pass rating that led to a stunning 34 – 19 loss against Denver. The career high appearance ended up marking a career low.
Joe Theismann
Dec 30, 1984; Washington, DC, USA; FILE PHOTO; Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann (7) in action against the Chicago Bears during the 1984 NFC Divisional Playoff Game at RFK Stadium. The Bears won 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-Imagn Images
After winning the championship in the previous season, many thought that Theismann was going to be a guaranteed knock-out in his second SuperBowl appearance. However, the game collapsed very quickly or Washington, and Theismann only managed two interceptions, produced zero touchdown passes and absorbed 6 sacks. The lackluster performance led to a whopping 38 – 9 defeat for Washington, who never found a good rhythm and neatly collapsed under the pressure.
Drake Maye
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Drake Maye is yet another MVP who managed to have a serious stumble during his SuperBowl LX performance. He managed a reasonably impressive passing for 295 yards, but got hit hard with a total of 6 sacks and lost a pretty crucial fumble. He managed to go on get two interceptions and even landed an impressive pick-six, but ultimately New England scored too late and fell in a close 29 -13 loss that took the edge off of Maye’s MVP performance for the year.
Patrick Mahomes
Dec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs the ball during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Patrick Mahomes had one of his worst ever career nights at his SuperBowl LV performance against Tampa Bay. Tampa had a relentless defense that ultimately left Mahomes with zero touchdown’s thrown forcing two interceptions on top of it. He completed 26 of 49 passes for 270 yards, absorbed 3 sacks and generally failed to really deliver much of a punch with Kansas losing to Tampa in a startling 31 – 9 loss that led to a rather drastic failure.
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