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The dream of every NFL star player is to win the Super Bowl. But the fact there are 32 teams in the NFL and only one champion every year means plenty of stars will retire without ever winning a championship. Plenty won't even reach that grand stage either.
Most NFL fans have heard about all-time greats, such as Dan Marino and Barry Sanders, who never won a Super Bowl. But what about active stars who fall into that category?
On that note, here's a look at five active NFL stars who could retire without a Super Bowl ring:
#5 Adrian Peterson, Seattle Seahawks
Adrian Peterson has found a new NFL team with the Seattle Seahawks, but he will, one day, enter the Hall of Fame as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. He is a seven-time All-Pro who has also made seven Pro Bowls.
Peterson is now 36, and is just trying to seek one more full-time NFL job. At this point, it is doubtful he will get a great shot with a top contender, given his age and position.
His best shot at winning it all came back in 2009 when Brett Favre led the Vikings to the NFC Championship game. However, a late loss there ended up being the closest Peterson would ever get in his legendary career.
The only way he gets off this list is if he somehow finds a way to convince a contending team to sign him in 2022. That may mean he has to wait until late in the season, like he did this year, to pick the best spot.
#4 Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears
Khalil Mack is a former No. 5 overall pick of the Oakland Raiders who has since been dominating with the Chicago Bears. But he is currently out for the year with an injury, and will turn 31 in February. His current foot injury, which required surgery, stands out as a major concern.
Mack is under contract with the Bears through the 2024 season. The team has potential outs in the deal as the dead cap value continues to go down. But it would appear likely that Mack stays with the Bears for at least a few more seasons. It will be tough to trade him right away, given his age and recent injury history.
The Bears do not appear to be close to Super Bowl contention in 2021. The team has a rookie quarterback in Justin Fields, and will get a new head coach in 2022 if Matt Nagy is fired, as expected. So if Mack cannot force a trade, his career may end with plenty of individual awards, but no Super Bowl ring.
The consolation for Mack is that he did sign a deal that guaranteed him $90 million. Landing that record deal has him set up for generations, even if he finishes his career with a struggling Bears team.
#3 Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans
Julio Jones emerged as one of the best wide receivers in recent NFL history, during his time with the Atlanta Falcons. He was the No.6 overall pick in 2011, and has made five All-Pro teams since then.
However, Jones is now a member of the Tennessee Titans after being traded there last NFL offseason. He has dealt with injuries all season, and will turn 33 in February. Unfortunately, his future does not appear bright after such a great decade of play.
Jones, of course, was part of the biggest collapse in Super Bowl history when his Falcons blew a 28-3 lead against the New England Patriots. It is hard to get so close and come away without a win, but that game may end up being his best shot.
The Titans are a legitimate NFL contender in 2021, yet the AFC is so wide open that there remains a good chance Jones may not get a ring this season. If that is the case, the team could move on from him next offseason.
#2 Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
Christian McCaffrey is a tough player to include on this list, but he is not a misfit. The Carolina Panthers running back is only 25, but has barely played in the last two NFL seasons due to injury.
He achieved a superstar label during All-Pro seasons in 2018 and 2019. So it is fair for fans to feel robbed since then. Injury concerns are why McCaffrey lands on this list. That is because he may have trouble finding another contract once his current extension comes to an end.
In fact, McCaffrey almost serves as a cautionary tale for NFL teams not to pay top runners big money. At the same time, he is on a Panthers team without much of an answer at quarterback. The timing may not line up, and a once promising career could be cut short with McCaffrey without winning a ring.
#1 Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Derek Carr is a three-time Pro Bowler, and is approaching 200 career passing touchdowns. Only 46 players in NFL history have ever reached that mark.
Unfortunately for Carr, it is difficult to see him winning a Super Bowl in his career. He owns a long list of franchise records, but the team has never won a playoff game with Carr at quarterback. The franchise is stuck in the middle of the AFC, and it is always going to be difficult for Carr and the Raiders to overtake Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.
One way that could change is if Carr goes the Matthew Stafford route and gets traded to a contender. However, if he commits to Las Vegas, his career may be one where he goes down as a Raiders legend only for his performances in the NFL regular season.
