It takes a lot to win in the National Football League, and no one can do it on their own.
However, as much as football is a team sport, most of the weight usually falls on the quarterback.
As such, they need to win a championship to cement the narrative of their career.
With that in mind, ESPN analyst Michelle Smallmon shared a list of the top five quarterbacks under the most pressure to win the Super Bowl.
.@msmallmon's Power Rankings: Top 5 QBs who need a ring:
1.) Lamar Jackson
2.) Josh Allen
3.) Joe Burrow
4.) Dak Prescott
5.) Aaron Rodgers
What are your thoughts on the list?
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) August 27, 2025
Notably, she has Aaron Rodgers at No. 5, even though the current Pittsburgh Steelers QB is the only player on her list who’s actually won a championship.
Then again, Rodgers has always caught plenty of fire for being one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and winning “just one” Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers.
Then, she has Dallas Cowboys veteran Dak Prescott at No. 4.
Not many people consider Prescott to be an elite quarterback, but given his record-setting salary and the fact that he plays for one of the most popular teams in sports, he’ll always be under that type of pressure.
Smallmon put Joe Burrow at No. 3.
He has led the dysfunctional Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl, which they lost to the Los Angeles Rams, and now he has to finish the job.
At No. 2, she has Josh Allen.
The reigning NFL MVP makes the Buffalo Bills an annual contender, but he’s 0-4 against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs.
To no one’s real surprise, Lamar Jackson is at No. 1.
The Baltimore Ravens have consistently flamed out in the playoffs, never even reaching the Super Bowl with the two-time NFL MVP at QB.
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