Playoff football is just different. It’s colder, the hits feel heavier, and the margin for error basically evaporates into the January air. When we talk about the most postseason wins by qb, we aren’t just looking at a stat sheet; we’re looking at the ultimate litmus test for greatness.
Most guys are lucky to get there once. A few manage to win a ring and dine out on it for the rest of their lives in their hometowns. But the names at the top of this list? They’re the ones who treated the playoffs like their personal backyard.
Honestly, the gap between the number one spot and everyone else is kind of hilarious. It’s not even a competition; it’s a total statistical outlier.
The Unmatchable Standard of Tom Brady
Tom Brady finished his career with 35 postseason wins. Just let that number sit for a second.
To put that in perspective, if a quarterback won two playoff games every single year for 17 years straight, they would still be one win short of Brady. He didn’t just participate in the postseason; he owned the month of January.
Most of those wins came in New England, but the fact that he went to Tampa Bay at age 43 and tacked on five more playoff victories—including a Super Bowl—is what really cements the absurdity of his lead. He has more playoff wins than most NFL franchises have in their entire history. It’s the kind of longevity and high-stakes consistency we probably won’t see again for decades.
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The Rapid Ascent of Patrick Mahomes
If there is a "kinda-sorta" challenger to the throne, it’s Patrick Mahomes.
As of early 2026, Mahomes has already climbed into the second spot on the all-time list with 17 postseason wins. He’s not even 31 yet. Think about that. He has already surpassed legendary figures like Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw before his "prime" years are technically over.
The Kansas City Chiefs' signal-caller has a postseason win percentage that is actually higher than Brady's. While Brady was often the master of the "long game," Mahomes has turned the playoffs into a highlight reel of impossible escapes and 13-second miracles.
Breaking Down the Top Five
- Tom Brady: 35 wins (Patriots, Buccaneers)
- Patrick Mahomes: 17 wins (Chiefs)
- Joe Montana: 16 wins (49ers, Chiefs)
- Terry Bradshaw: 14 wins (Steelers)
- John Elway: 14 wins (Broncos)
- Peyton Manning: 14 wins (Colts, Broncos)
You’ll notice a three-way tie for fourth place. Bradshaw, Elway, and Manning all ended their careers with 14 wins, but they got there in wildly different ways. Bradshaw was the beneficiary of a legendary defense but always delivered the big throw when it mattered. Elway went on a late-career tear to grab his wins. Manning, meanwhile, had some of the most frustrating one-and-done exits in history before finally evening out his resume in Denver.
Why Some Legends Fall Short in the Rankings
It’s easy to look at a guy like Aaron Rodgers and wonder why he isn’t higher. He’s arguably more talented than half the names on this list. But Rodgers has 11 wins. Why? Because the playoffs are a team-stat disguised as a quarterback stat.
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You need a kicker who doesn't choke. You need a defense that can hold a lead for three minutes. You need a coach who doesn't get conservative the moment they cross the 50-yard line.
Joe Montana’s 16 wins held the record for what felt like forever. He was the "Joe Cool" of the 80s, going a perfect 4-0 in Super Bowls. People used to think 16 was the ceiling. Then the NFL changed the rules to favor the passing game, added more wildcard spots, and suddenly the "most postseason wins by qb" became a moving target.
The Active Chasers
Outside of Mahomes, the active list is a bit of a mixed bag.
Matthew Stafford has made a massive jump since moving to the Rams, now sitting at 6 wins. Joe Burrow has 5, and he’s clearly a guy who "gets" the postseason, but injuries have hampered his ability to climb the ladder quickly. Then you have guys like Brock Purdy, who already has 5 wins despite being in the league for what feels like five minutes.
The reality is that to climb this specific mountain, you need two things: talent and a front office that doesn't waste it.
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What This Stat Actually Tells Us
Is the quarterback with the most wins always the best? Not necessarily. But the quarterback with the most wins is almost always the one who can handle the "noise."
When you’re down by four with two minutes left in a divisional round game, your heart rate either stays steady or it spikes. Brady and Mahomes are the kings of the flatline. They don't panic.
If you're looking to track who might eventually challenge the top tier, keep an eye on the "wins per start" metric. While total wins reward longevity, the win percentage tells you who actually owns the moment. Mahomes is currently the only person in the same stratosphere as the retired legends.
Actionable Insights for Following the Greats:
- Watch the age-to-win ratio: If a QB doesn't have at least 5 playoff wins by age 26, they are mathematically unlikely to ever catch the top three.
- Contextualize the "One-and-Dones": Don't just look at total wins; look at how many times a QB was the reason their team lost early. Peyton Manning’s 13 losses are just as telling as his 14 wins.
- Value the "Clutch Drive": The best way to predict future postseason success is looking at fourth-quarter comeback drives in the regular season; those habits carry over when the pressure hits its peak.