Super Bowl QB Rematches
Legendary Showdowns: When Star Quarterbacks CollideAgain
Super Bowl rematches between quarterbacks are rare. The NFL has given us countless iconic matchups over the years, but only a select few quarterbacks have managed to meet for a second time on the sport’s biggest stage. When it happens, history gets rewritten, legacies take shape, and fans are treated to a dramatic sequel that adds to the lore of the game. With Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes potentially setting up for a second Super Bowl clash, let’s take a look at some of the legendary quarterback rematches that have shaped football history.
Tom Brady vs. Eli Manning
Arguably one of the most shockingand painfulSuper Bowl rematches for New England Patriots fans, Tom Brady and Eli Manning squared off twice on the grandest stage. – **Super Bowl XLII (2008):** Manning and the New York Giants stunned the previously undefeated Patriots, 17-14, thanks to the now-legendary “Helmet Catch” by David Tyree.
– **Super Bowl XLVI (2012):** Four years later, the Giants repeated history with a 21-17 victory, cementing Manning as Brady’s ultimate kryptonite in Super Bowl showdowns. Brady’s dominance was unquestioned throughout his career, but somehow, the younger Manning brother held the upper hand in their championship battles.
Joe Montana vs. Ken Anderson
The first Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, Ken Anderson played a phenomenal game against Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers in **Super Bowl XVI (1982)**. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, Montana got the best of them in a 26-21 victory. A rematch loomed in **Super Bowl XXIII (1989)**, but Anderson had retired by then. His replacement, Boomer Esiason, couldn’t take down Montana either, losing in another nail-biter, 20-16. The Bengals never got their revenge, solidifying Montana’s perfect Super Bowl legacy.
Troy Aikman vs. Jim Kelly
The Buffalo Bills are infamous for losing four straight Super Bowls, and two of those defeats came at the hands of Troy Aikman and the Dallas Cowboys. – **Super Bowl XXVII (1993):** Aikman exploded for four touchdown passes in a dominant 52-17 victory, delivering the Cowboys their first title in over a decade.
– **Super Bowl XXVIII (1994):** One year later, the Bills had a shot at redemption. Instead, they suffered another defeat, 30-13, as Dallas seized back-to-back championships. Jim Kelly, a Hall of Fame quarterback in his own right, never got the Super Bowl ring he chased, while Aikman led the Cowboys to a dynasty-era resurgence.
Patrick Mahomes vs. Tom Brady
Before Patrick Mahomes became the face of the NFL, he had to go through Tom Bradyand that journey was anything but easy. – **Super Bowl LV (2021):** Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were heavily hyped, but Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated in a 31-9 rout, handing Mahomes his only Super Bowl loss. Though they never met again in another Super Bowl, this showdown symbolized a passing of the torch. Mahomes was the young superstar on the rise, while Brady cemented his legacy as the GOATat least until Mahomes finishes writing his own story.
Could Hurts vs. Mahomes Be the Next Great Rivalry?
Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes first met in **Super Bowl LVII (2023)**, treating fans to an electric battle. Mahomes and the Chiefs prevailed, 38-35, in one of the most thrilling Super Bowls ever played. But with Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles remaining contenders, it’s not far-fetched to think this matchup could happen again. If Hurts and Mahomes meet for a second time, it would mark another chapter in their already intense rivalry. Mahomes is chasing history, looking to add more rings to his growing dynasty. Hurts, on the other hand, remains determined to avenge the Eagles’ narrow loss and secure his own place in NFL lore.
Final Thoughts
Super Bowl quarterback rematches are as rare as they are legendary. From Brady vs. Manning to Aikman vs. Kelly, these rematches define careers and alter NFL history. If Hurts and Mahomes reunite on the game’s biggest stage, we could be in for yet another instant classic. One thing is certainwhen elite quarterbacks collide, football fans always win.
