If you’re walking around D.C. today, you might see a lot of burgundy and gold, but the name on the jersey usually says "Commanders." For those of us who grew up with the RFK Stadium bleachers literally shaking under our feet, the question of how many super bowls has washington redskins won isn't just a stat—it’s a lifestyle.
They’ve won three.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation. The good news? Those three rings represent one of the most unique dynasties in the history of the NFL. The bad news? The last one happened in January of 1992. If you’re a younger fan, you’ve basically spent your entire life hearing your dad talk about Joe Gibbs like he’s a mythological figure.
But he kind of was.
The Magic Number: Three Rings and Five Trips
To be technical about it, the franchise actually has five world championships. People forget the pre-Super Bowl era. They took home the trophy in 1937 and 1942 back when "Slinging" Sammy Baugh was reinventing the forward pass. But in the modern era—the one everyone cares about for bar bets—the answer to how many super bowls has washington redskins won is three.
They appeared in five Super Bowls total:
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- Super Bowl VII (1972): Lost to the undefeated Dolphins. Close, but no cigar.
- Super Bowl XVII (1982): Beat the Dolphins. Revenge is sweet.
- Super Bowl XVIII (1983): Got absolutely crushed by the Raiders. Let's not talk about it.
- Super Bowl XXII (1987): Blew out the Broncos in a single quarter.
- Super Bowl XXVI (1991): Handled the Bills with ease.
What’s wild is that Joe Gibbs won all three of those titles with three different starting quarterbacks and three different primary running backs. No other coach has ever done that. Not Belichick, not Walsh, not Lombardi.
1982: Riggo’s Run and the First Ring
The 1982 season was weird. A players' strike shortened the year to nine games. The Redskins finished 8-1 and entered a massive 16-team playoff tournament.
It all culminated in Super Bowl XVII against the Miami Dolphins. Most people remember this game for one specific play: "70 Chip." It was 4th and 1. The Redskins were trailing in the fourth quarter. John Riggins—a guy who looked like he belonged in a biker bar more than a locker room—took the handoff, shook off a tackler like he was a pesky fly, and ran 43 yards for the touchdown.
Riggins ended up with 166 rushing yards and the MVP. It was the first time the city got to celebrate a Super Bowl victory, and it solidified "The Hogs"—that legendary, massive offensive line—as cultural icons in D.C.
1987: The Quarter That Changed Everything
If you want to talk about dominance, you have to talk about the second quarter of Super Bowl XXII. Washington was playing John Elway and the Denver Broncos. After the first quarter, the Redskins were down 10-0. Fans were starting to sweat.
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Then, Doug Williams happened.
In just 15 minutes of game time, Washington scored 35 points. Read that again. 35 points in one quarter. Williams threw four touchdowns. Timmy Smith, a rookie who had barely played all year, was suddenly running through holes big enough to drive a truck through.
Doug Williams became the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl and the first to win MVP. He did it while playing through a massive root canal he’d had just days before. The final score was 42-10. It wasn't even a contest by halftime.
1991: The Greatest Team You Never Talk About
There’s a legitimate argument that the 1991 Washington team is the best in NFL history. They went 14-2 in the regular season. They outscored their opponents by 261 points. They were a machine.
By the time they reached Super Bowl XXVI to face the Buffalo Bills, everyone knew what was coming. Mark Rypien, a Canadian quarterback with a cannon for an arm, picked the Bills apart. The defense, led by Darrell Green and Charles Mann, absolutely terrorized Jim Kelly.
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Rypien took home the MVP, and the Redskins won 37-24. At that point, fans figured the team would just keep winning forever. Little did they know, a decades-long drought was about to begin.
Why These Wins Still Matter in 2026
Looking back at how many super bowls has washington redskins won tells us a lot about the current state of the Commanders. For a long time, the franchise has been chasing that 1980s-era "Joe Gibbs Magic."
The legacy of those three wins is why the fan base is so loyal—and so frustrated. They know what peak performance looks like. They remember when the offensive line had nicknames and the stadium felt like it was going to collapse because people were jumping so hard.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into this history or even start a collection, here is what you should focus on:
- Search for 1991 Stats: If you want to win an argument about the "Greatest Team of All Time," look up the 1991 Redskins' DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average). They often rank #1 or #2 in history.
- Memorabilia Value: Super Bowl XVII and XXII programs are surprisingly affordable but rising in value. Look for items signed by the "Hogs" (Jacoby, Grimm, Bostic) rather than just the QBs.
- Watch the Films: NFL Films' "America's Game" episodes for 1982, 1987, and 1991 are the best way to see the actual footage and hear Joe Gibbs talk about the strategy behind the wins.
Understand that the transition to the "Commanders" hasn't erased these titles. They are part of the same lineage. Whether you call them the Redskins or the Commanders, those three trophies sitting in the case at the practice facility are the gold standard for football in the nation's capital.
Go back and watch the 1987 second quarter on YouTube. Even if you aren't a fan, it’s some of the most beautiful, violent, and perfect football ever played.