How Many Super Bowls Did the Redskins Win?

By Sarah Miller · September 16, 2051

The Washington Redskins, now known as the Washington Commanders, have won 3 Super Bowls in their history. These victories came in Super Bowl XVII, XXII, and XXVI.

History of the Washington Redskins' Super Bowl Wins

The Washington Redskins were one of the most dominant teams in the NFL during the 1980s and early 1990s, particularly under legendary coach Joe Gibbs. The franchise claimed three Super Bowl titles, all of which were earned in a span of 14 seasons.

Super Bowl Championships

Super Bowl XVII (1983): Defeated the Miami Dolphins 27–17 at Rose Bowl Stadium.
Super Bowl XXII (1988): Beat the Denver Broncos 42–10 at Jack Murphy Stadium.
Super Bowl XXVI (1992): Won against the Buffalo Bills 37–24 at Metrodome.

Joe Gibbs' Leadership and Team Legacy

Hall of Fame head coach Joe Gibbs led the team to all three championships, making him one of only two coaches in NFL history to win three Super Bowls with different starting quarterbacks. His strategic brilliance and ability to build strong offensive lines were central to the team's success.

Key Factors Behind Their Success

Strong running game, highlighted by John Riggins in Super Bowl XVII.
Explosive offense in Super Bowl XXII led by Doug Williams, who became the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl.
Defensive dominance in Super Bowl XXVI, forcing seven turnovers against Buffalo.

Super Bowl	Date	Opponent	Score	MVP	Location
XVII	January 30, 1983	Miami Dolphins	27–17	John Riggins	Pasadena, CA
XXII	January 31, 1988	Denver Broncos	42–10	Doug Williams	San Diego, CA
XXVI	January 26, 1992	Buffalo Bills	37–24	Mark Rypien	Minneapolis, MN

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that Washington achieved decisive victories, especially in Super Bowl XXII, where they scored 35 points in the second quarter alone. All three MVPs were offensive players, reflecting the team's powerful attack under Gibbs. Each win occurred in a different decade, highlighting sustained excellence over time.

Transition from Redskins to Commanders

In 2020, the team retired the "Redskins" name and logo due to longstanding controversy over its use of Native American imagery. They played temporarily as the Washington Football Team before rebranding as the Washington Commanders in 2022. Despite the name change, their historical achievements, including the three Super Bowl wins, remain part of NFL records.