The conference championship ring, a silver consolation prize for Super Bowl losers, evokes starkly different reactions from players. For many, it feels like a participation trophy marking failure rather than achievement. Cam Jurgens of the Philadelphia Eagles, who won the ring after his team's 2023 NFC Championship Game loss, admitted it now gathers dust in his closet. He described it as a 'reminder that you made it all the way to the mountaintop and failed.' This sentiment isn't universal, however. Jason Arasheben, CEO of Jason of Beverly Hills, designs rings for the NFL and notes that teams with championship histories are often the least enthusiastic about these runner-up prizes.

He emphasizes the delicate approach required when offering the ring to a recently defeated team, waiting weeks to soften the blow of their loss. The rings themselves are substantial investments; the Eagles' Super Bowl ring cost $40,000, while the 49ers' NFC runner-up ring was appraised at $10,000.