by Do you know what the NFL is?
NFL stands for the National Football League. It’s where the best football teams in America play.
The NFL started way back in 1920. That’s over 100 years ago!
Back then, there were only 10 teams. Today, 32 teams are playing in the NFL.
Some teams have been around since the very beginning. Others joined later.
Learning about these old teams helps us understand football history.
It’s like learning about your grandparents’ stories!
Top 10 Oldest Teams in the NFL
In this article, we’ll explore the 10 oldest teams in the NFL. Some of them have been playing for more than 100 years!
These teams built the game we love today. They created the rules, won championships, and made football popular.
Let’s meet these legendary teams!
#1: Arizona Cardinals 🏈
The Arizona Cardinals are the oldest team in the NFL!
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year Established | 1898 |
| First NFL Season | 1920 |
| Old Names | Morgan Athletic Club, Chicago Cardinals, St. Louis Cardinals, Phoenix Cardinals |
| Current Home | State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona |
How Did They Start?
The Cardinals started in 1898 in Chicago. That’s 126 years ago!
They weren’t even called the Cardinals at first. They were the “Morgan Athletic Club.”
A man named Chris O’Brien started the team. One day, he bought some old football jerseys.
These jerseys were faded and kind of reddish. O’Brien said they looked “Cardinal red.”
That’s how they got the name Cardinals!
The team moved to St. Louis in 1960. Then they moved to Phoenix in 1988. Now they play in Arizona.
Fun Facts About the Cardinals:
- They are the oldest football team in America
- They’ve been in three different cities: Chicago, St. Louis, and Arizona
- The Bidwill family has owned the team since 1932
- They won the NFL championship in 1947
- When the NFL started in 1920, they had to beat another Chicago team called the Tigers to stay in the city
Did You Know?
The Cardinals have been around longer than the NFL itself! They played football for 22 years before the NFL was even created.
#2: Chicago Bears 🐻
The Chicago Bears are one of the most famous old teams!
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year Established | September 17, 1920 |
| First NFL Season | 1920 |
| Old Names | Decatur Staleys, Chicago Staleys |
| Current Home | Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois |
How Did They Start?
The Bears started in 1920 in a small town called Decatur, Illinois.
A company that made corn starch sponsored the team. They were called the “Decatur Staleys.”
A legendary coach named George Halas took over the team. He moved them to Chicago in 1921.
In 1922, they changed the name to the Chicago Bears. They’ve been the Bears ever since!
The Bears were one of the original 10 teams when the NFL started.
Fun Facts About the Bears:
- George Halas coached the Bears for 40 years!
- The Bears are still owned by the Halas family today
- They’ve been one of the most successful teams in NFL history
- They won the Super Bowl in 1985 with a famous defense
- Before the Super Bowl existed, the Bears won 8 NFL championships
Did You Know?
The Chicago Bears are the only team besides the Cardinals that has been in the NFL since day one (1920). They’re like the grandparents of the NFL!
#3: Green Bay Packers 🧀
The Packers are special because they never moved cities!
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year Established | August 11, 1919 |
| First NFL Season | 1921 |
| Old Names | Green Bay Packers (always!) |
| Current Home | Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin |
How Did They Start?
The Packers started in 1919 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Two men started the team: Earl “Curly” Lambeau and George Calhoun.
A meat packing company (a place that prepares meat) gave them money. That’s why they’re called “Packers.”
The Packers joined the NFL in 1921, the league’s second year.
Green Bay is a very small city, but it has a huge, loyal fan base!
Fun Facts About the Packers:
- They are the only community-owned team in the NFL (the fans own the team!)
- They’ve never moved or changed their name
- Their stadium is named after Curly Lambeau
- Famous coach Vince Lombardi led them to greatness in the 1960s
- The Super Bowl trophy is called the “Lombardi Trophy” after their coach
- They’ve won 13 total championships (more than any other team)
Did You Know?
Green Bay is the smallest city with an NFL team. Only about 100,000 people live there! But on game days, the stadium is always packed with screaming fans wearing cheese hats.
#4: New York Giants 🗽
The Giants are one of the big city teams!
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year Established | August 1, 1925 |
| First NFL Season | 1925 |
| Old Names | New York Giants (always!) |
| Current Home | MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey |
How Did They Start?
A man named Tim Mara bought an NFL team in 1925 for only $500.
That sounds cheap now, but it was a lot of money back then!
By the end of that first season, Mara spent $25,000 more just to keep the team alive.
But his hard work paid off! The Giants became very popular right away.
More than 70,000 people came to watch them play in their first season!
Fun Facts About the Giants:
- They are one of the few teams that never moved cities
- The Mara family still owns part of the team today
- They won their first NFL Championship in 1927 (only their third season!)
- They’ve won 4 Super Bowls (1986, 1990, 2007, 2011)
- They also won 4 NFL Championships before the Super Bowl era
Did You Know?
Even though they’re called the “New York” Giants, they actually play their games in New Jersey! But their fans are mostly from New York City.
#5: Detroit Lions 🦁
The Lions have a long and interesting history!
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year Established | 1929 |
| First NFL Season | 1930 |
| Old Names | Portsmouth Spartans |
| Current Home | Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan |
How Did They Start?
The Lions started in 1929 in Portsmouth, Ohio as the “Spartans.”
In 1934, a radio owner named George Richards bought the team for $8,000.
He moved them to Detroit and changed the name to the Lions.
Richards wanted a name that matched Detroit’s baseball team, the Tigers. So he picked another big cat: Lions!
The Lions had a star player named Dutch Clark, who was amazing.
Fun Facts About the Lions:
- They had their best years in the 1950s
- Dutch Clark was one of the last players to “dropkick” the football
- A championship game they played in 1932 changed NFL rules forever
- The Ford family (yes, the car company!) has owned them for many years
- Their stadium has a dome (roof), so they play indoors
Did You Know?
The Detroit Lions have never won a Super Bowl. They last won a championship way back in 1957. Lions fans are still waiting for another championship!
#6: Washington Commanders 🎖️
This team has had many different names!
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year Established | July 9, 1932 |
| First NFL Season | 1932 |
| Old Names | Boston Braves, Boston Redskins, Washington Redskins, Washington Football Team |
| Current Home | FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland |
How Did They Start?
The team started in 1932 in Boston as the “Braves.”
A businessman named George Preston Marshall started the team.
They played at a stadium called Braves Field, just like Boston’s baseball team.
In 1933, they changed the name to Redskins. In 1937, they moved to Washington, D.C.
In 2020, the team changed its name again because many people said “Redskins” was disrespectful to Native Americans.
From 2020-2021, they were just called the “Washington Football Team.”
In 2022, they became the Washington Commanders. This name honors the military people near Washington, D.C.
Fun Facts About the Commanders:
- They’ve sold out every home game since 1968!
- They’ve won 3 Super Bowls (1982, 1987, 1991)
- A group of investors bought the team in 2023 for over $6 billion
- They’ve had 6 different names in their history
- Many famous players played for them, like Sammy Baugh and John Riggins
Did You Know?
The Washington team has the longest continuous sellout streak in NFL history. That means every single game has had a full stadium for over 50 years!
#7: Pittsburgh Steelers ⚫🟡
The Steelers are one of the most successful teams ever!
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year Established | July 8, 1933 |
| First NFL Season | 1933 |
| Old Names | Pittsburgh Pirates, Phil-Pitt Steagles, Card-Pitt |
| Current Home | Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
How Did They Start?
A man named Arthur J. Rooney started the team in 1933.
He paid $2,500 to buy the team. That’s less than a used car costs today!
The team was first called the “Pittsburgh Pirates” (like the baseball team).
In 1940, they changed the name to “Steelers” because Pittsburgh makes a lot of steel.
The Rooney family still owns the Steelers today!
Fun Facts About the Steelers:
- They struggled for 40 years before becoming great
- In the 1970s, they became a dynasty (super successful team)
- They’ve won 6 Super Bowls — the most in NFL history!
- They won the Super Bowl twice in a row (1974-75 and 1978-79)
- They have one of the biggest fan bases in the world
- Their colors are black and gold, matching Pittsburgh’s city flag
Did You Know?
During World War II, the Steelers combined with other teams because there weren’t enough players. In 1943, they merged with the Eagles and were called the “Steagles”!
#8: Philadelphia Eagles 🦅
The Eagles are the pride of Philadelphia!
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year Established | July 8, 1933 |
| First NFL Season | 1933 |
| Old Names | Phil-Pitt Steagles (1943 only) |
| Current Home | Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
How Did They Start?
The Eagles started in 1933 to replace a team that went bankrupt.
Two men, Bert Bell and Lud Wray, bought the old team for $2,500.
They named the new team “Eagles” after a symbol of American strength.
Like many teams, they had trouble during World War II and combined with the Steelers for one year.
The Eagles struggled at first but became great in the mid-1940s.
Fun Facts About the Eagles:
- They’ve won 4 NFL Championships and 1 Super Bowl (2017)
- They have 16 division titles
- Bert Bell later became the NFL Commissioner (the boss of the whole league!)
- Philadelphia fans are known for being very passionate and loud
- Their team colors are midnight green and silver
Did You Know?
In 2017, the Eagles won their first Super Bowl ever! The city of Philadelphia threw a huge parade, and over 1 million people came to celebrate. It was one of the biggest parties ever!
#9: Los Angeles Rams 🐏
The Rams have moved around a lot!
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year Established | 1936 |
| First NFL Season | 1937 |
| Old Names | Cleveland Rams, St. Louis Rams |
| Current Home | SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California |
How Did They Start?
The Rams started in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio.
For their first six years, they weren’t very good. They even shut down for one year during World War II.
In 1945, they won a championship in Cleveland. Then they moved to Los Angeles!
When they moved to L.A., they made history. The owner signed Kenny Washington and Woody Strode.
These were the first African-American players to sign NFL contracts in years!
Fun Facts About the Rams:
- They’ve played in three different cities: Cleveland, Los Angeles, and St. Louis
- They won 2 Super Bowls (1999 season as St. Louis Rams, 2021 season as L.A. Rams)
- Their new stadium (SoFi Stadium) cost $5 billion to build!
- They were one of the first teams to have a logo on their helmet
- They returned to Los Angeles in 2016 after 21 years in St. Louis
Did You Know?
The Rams’ most recent Super Bowl win came in their own stadium! In 2022, they beat the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Not many teams get to win the Super Bowl at home!
#10: Cleveland Browns 🟤🟠
The Browns have passionate fans who never give up!
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year Established | June 4, 1944 |
| First NFL Season | 1950 |
| Old Names | Cleveland Browns (always) |
| Current Home | Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio |
How Did They Start?
The Browns started in 1944 in a different league called the AAFC.
A businessman named Arthur McBride started the team.
He hired a coach named Paul Brown, who was very successful. The team was named after him!
The Browns dominated their league from 1946-1949. They were unbeatable!
In 1950, they joined the NFL along with two other teams.
Even in the NFL, they kept winning! They won the championship right away.
Fun Facts About the Browns:
- The team is named after their first coach, Paul Brown
- They won 6 straight conference championships (1950-1955)
- They won 3 NFL Championships in the 1950s
- The team was temporarily shut down from 1996-1998, but came back!
- Cleveland fans are some of the most loyal in football
- They have a special fan section called the “Dawg Pound”
Did You Know?
Cleveland fans loved their team so much that when the owner tried to move them to Baltimore in 1995, the city and fans fought back! The team suspended operations for three years, then came back as the Browns in 1999.
Quick Comparison: All 10 Oldest NFL Teams
Here’s a simple table showing all the oldest teams together:
| Rank | Team Name | Year Established | First NFL Season | Current City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona Cardinals | 1898 | 1920 | Glendale, Arizona |
| 2 | Chicago Bears | 1920 | 1920 | Chicago, Illinois |
| 3 | Green Bay Packers | 1919 | 1921 | Green Bay, Wisconsin |
| 4 | New York Giants | 1925 | 1925 | East Rutherford, New Jersey |
| 5 | Detroit Lions | 1929 | 1930 | Detroit, Michigan |
| 6 | Washington Commanders | 1932 | 1932 | Landover, Maryland |
| 7 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1933 | 1933 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 8 | Philadelphia Eagles | 1933 | 1933 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 9 | Los Angeles Rams | 1936 | 1937 | Inglewood, California |
| 10 | Cleveland Browns | 1944 | 1950 | Cleveland, Ohio |
Super Bowl & Championship Wins Comparison
Let’s see which oldest teams have won the most championships:
| Team | Super Bowl Wins | NFL Championships (Before Super Bowl) | Total Championships |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Green Bay Packers | 4 | 9 | 13 |
| New York Giants | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Washington Commanders | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Chicago Bears | 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Detroit Lions | 0 | 4 | 4 |
Why These Old Teams Matter?
These 10 teams helped build the NFL into what it is today.
They created the rules we play by. They started the traditions we love.
Some teams have moved cities. Some changed their names. But they all kept playing.
- The Arizona Cardinals showed that a team can survive for over 100 years.
- The Chicago Bears proved that football could be popular in big cities.
- The Green Bay Packers showed that even small towns can have great teams.
- The New York Giants brought football to America’s biggest city.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers became the most successful Super Bowl team ever.
These teams have given us:
- Legendary players like Jim Brown, Brett Favre, and Lawrence Taylor
- Unforgettable games and moments
- Fierce rivalries that make football exciting
- Family traditions passed down through generations
- Proof that loyalty and passion never die
Fun Facts About Old NFL Teams
Teams That Never Moved:
- Green Bay Packers (always in Green Bay)
- New York Giants (always in the New York area)
- Chicago Bears (always in Chicago)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (always in Pittsburgh)
Teams That Changed Names:
- Washington Commanders (5 different names!)
- Arizona Cardinals (4 different names)
- Los Angeles Rams (3 different names)
Teams That Moved Cities:
- Arizona Cardinals (Chicago → St. Louis → Phoenix)
- Los Angeles Rams (Cleveland → Los Angeles → St. Louis → Los Angeles)
- Detroit Lions (Portsmouth → Detroit)
Most Successful Old Teams:
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 6 Super Bowls
- Green Bay Packers: 4 Super Bowls, 13 total championships
- New York Giants: 4 Super Bowls, 8 total championships
What Makes a Team “Old”?
You might wonder: what makes a team old?
It’s not just about when they were created. It’s about:
- History: How long have they been playing?
- Legacy: What great things did they do?
- Survival: Did they keep going even when times were hard?
- Tradition: Do fans pass their love for the team to their kids?
All 10 teams on this list have been around for over 75 years. That’s older than your grandparents!
They survived the Great Depression, World War II, and many changes in football.
Some struggled. Some dominated. But they all kept playing.
Conclusion: Honoring the NFL’s Original Teams
The 10 oldest teams in the NFL are legends.
They built the game we love today. They created rivalries, traditions, and unforgettable moments.
When you watch an Arizona Cardinals game, you’re watching the oldest team in football.
When you see the Green Bay Packers, you’re watching the only community-owned team.
When the Pittsburgh Steelers play, you’re watching the team with the most Super Bowl wins.
These teams connect us to football’s past. They remind us that the NFL has a rich history.
Learning about these teams helps us appreciate football more. It’s not just about today’s games.
It’s about 100+ years of players, coaches, and fans who loved this sport.
- For young fans: Learning team history makes you a smarter football fan!
- For new fans: These stories help you understand why people love their teams so much.
- For everyone: These 10 teams prove that loyalty, passion, and hard work create lasting legacies.
The NFL started with just 10 teams in 1920. Now there are 32 teams, and millions of fans worldwide.
But it all started with teams like the Cardinals, Bears, Packers, and Giants.
So next time you watch an NFL game, remember: you’re watching over 100 years of football history!
Which oldest teams is your favorite? Do you like the championship history of the Steelers? The small-town magic of the Packers? The tradition of the Bears?
No matter which team you choose, you’re part of NFL history!
Go football! 🏈
Want to learn more about NFL teams, players, and football history? Visit FieldBulls.com — where we make football easy and fun to understand for fans of all ages!
