Top 10 Players with The Longest NFL Careers All Time

1. Morten Andersen – The All-Time Longest NFL Career

Morten Andersen is the king of long NFL careers.

He played for 26 seasons. That’s more than a quarter of a century! He kicked his first field goal in 1982 and his last one in 2007.

Morten was born in Denmark and came to America to play football. He became one of the greatest kickers ever.

What Makes Morten Special?

• He played 382 games – more than anyone in NFL history
• He played until he was 47 years old
• He scored more points than almost any player ever
• He played for 5 different teams, but is most famous for his time with the New Orleans Saints

When Morten retired, he held 17 different NFL records. That’s like being the best at 17 different things!

Morten Andersen’s Career Stats:

Player	Position	Games	Teams	Years Active
Morten Andersen	Kicker	382	5	1982–2007

Even at age 47, Morten was still making almost 90% of his kicks. That’s incredible! This man truly has the longest NFL career of all time.

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2. Adam Vinatieri – The Ice-Cold Clutch Kicker

Adam Vinatieri is famous for being a hero in the biggest moments.

He played 24 seasons in the NFL. He started with the New England Patriots in 1996 and finished with the Indianapolis Colts in 2019.

Why Everyone Remembers Adam?

Adam kicked game-winning field goals in the Super Bowl – not once, but multiple times! When the pressure was highest, Adam stayed calm and cool like ice.

• He played 365 games
• He made the most field goals in NFL history
• He scored the most points of any player ever
• He won 4 Super Bowl championships

His Clutch Moments

Imagine the Super Bowl is tied. Snow is falling. Everyone is watching. The ball is snapped, and Adam kicks it through the goal posts to win the championship. He did this for the Patriots, and fans will never forget it.

Adam is part of the top 10 longest NFL careers because he played until he was 46 years old. He proved that kickers can play longer than almost any other position.

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3. Gary Anderson – The Silent Record Holder

Gary Anderson didn’t talk much, but his kicking did all the talking.

He played for 23 years from 1982 to 2004. He suited up for 353 games with 5 different teams.

What Made Gary Great?

Gary was incredibly accurate. He made 80% of his field goals during his career. That means 8 out of every 10 kicks went through the goal posts.

Here’s something amazing: In 1998, Gary made every single kick during the regular season. Every field goal. Every extra point. Perfect!

This is the longest NFL career by position for many years among kickers until others joined the club.

His Journey

• Started with the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Played for the Vikings, Eagles, Titans, and 49ers
• Made 4 Pro Bowls
• Was named All-Pro twice

Gary showed that if you work hard and stay healthy, you can play football for over two decades.

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4. Jeff Feagles – The Iron Man Punter

Jeff Feagles is one of the men top 10 players with the longest NFL careers, and he never missed a single game.

Think about that. For 22 years, Jeff showed up every Sunday ready to punt. He played 352 games in a row. That’s like going to school every day for 22 years and never being sick!

Jeff’s Incredible Records

• Most punts in NFL history: 1,713 punts
• Most punts inside the 20-yard line: 497 times
• Most punting yards ever: 71,211 yards (that’s over 40 miles!)

Jeff wasn’t drafted by any team. That means no team wanted him at first. But he proved everyone wrong.

Teams He Played For

Jeff played for the Patriots, Eagles, Cardinals, Seahawks, and Giants. He even won a Super Bowl with the Giants in 2007 when he was 41 years old.

Jeff Feagles showed that punters can have the longest careers in football because punting is less dangerous than other positions.

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5. George Blanda – The Ageless Quarterback and Kicker

George Blanda is one of the most amazing stories in NFL history.

He played football in four different decades. Let that sink in. He started in 1949 and played until 1975. That’s 26 years of football!

George Did Two Jobs

George wasn’t just a kicker. He was also a quarterback! He threw passes and kicked field goals. Imagine doing two hard jobs for over two decades.

George Blanda’s Career Stats:

Player	Position	Games	Teams	Years Active
George Blanda	QB/Kicker	340	4	1949–1975

His Amazing Achievements

• He retired when he was 48 years old
• He threw for over 26,000 passing yards
• He kicked 943 extra points
• He scored over 2,000 points in his career

George has the longest NFL career QB record for many decades. He played for the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Colts, Houston Oilers, and Oakland Raiders.

Here’s a fun fact: George still holds the record for most interceptions thrown in one season (42). Even legends have bad days!

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6. Tom Brady – The Greatest QB with Longevity

Tom Brady is the most famous quarterback ever, and he played for 23 seasons.

From 2000 to 2023, Tom dominated the NFL. He won 7 Super Bowl championships. That’s more than any player in history!

Why Tom Brady Is Special?

Tom was picked in the 6th round of the draft. Most people didn’t think he would be good. But he became the greatest ever.

Tom Brady’s Career Highlights:

Player	Position	Games	Teams	Years Active
Tom Brady	Quarterback	335	2	2000–2023

His Records

• Most Super Bowl wins (7)
• Most passing yards ever
• Most passing touchdowns ever
• Most quarterback wins in history
• 15 Pro Bowl selections

Tom Brady has the longest NFL career non kicker in modern times. He played until he was 45 years old and was still one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

How Did He Do It?

Tom took care of his body like a science experiment. He ate special foods, stretched every day, got lots of sleep, and worked out smart. He showed that quarterbacks can play into their 40s if they take care of themselves.

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7. Jason Hanson – The Loyal Lion

Jason Hanson did something very rare in the NFL. He played for one team his entire career.

For 21 years, Jason kicked for the Detroit Lions. He played from 1992 to 2012 and never wore another uniform.

Jason’s Loyalty

Most players change teams. But Jason loved Detroit. He stayed loyal even when the team wasn’t winning many games.

• He played 327 games (all with the Lions)
• He made 82% of his field goals
• He holds the NFL record for most field goals from 40+ yards
• He made the most overtime game-winning kicks (9)

Jason is part of the top 10 players with the longest NFL careers 2025 list because his loyalty and consistency were incredible.

His Records

Jason made 24 field goals in a row from 40+ yards or longer. That’s like making 24 difficult shots in basketball without missing once!

The Lions retired his number #4. That means no other Lion will ever wear that number again. That’s how much they loved him.

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8. Phil Dawson – The Late Bloomer

Phil Dawson’s story is inspiring because he almost gave up.

No team drafted him in 1998. The Raiders and Patriots didn’t want him. But Phil didn’t quit. He kept trying, and the Cleveland Browns gave him a chance.

From Nothing to Legend

Phil played from 1999 to 2018. That’s 20 seasons! He proved that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

Phil Dawson’s Journey:

• Started as undrafted (no team picked him)
• Became the Browns’ all-time leading scorer
• Played 305 games
• Made kicks for the Browns, 49ers, and Cardinals
• He was still playing well in his mid-40s

Phil is an example of a player with the oldest NFL retirement age. He was 43 when he finally stopped playing.

His Impact

Phil made game-winning kicks and helped his teams win important games. He showed young players that if you believe in yourself and never give up, dreams can come true.

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9. Jerry Rice – The Longest NFL Career for a Wide Receiver

Jerry Rice is the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, and he played for almost 20 seasons.

He played from 1985 to 2004. For a wide receiver to last that long is almost impossible because receivers get hit hard and need to run fast.

Jerry’s Incredible Career

Jerry Rice’s Stats:

Player	Position	Games	Teams	Years Active
Jerry Rice	Wide Receiver	303	3	1985–2004

What Makes Jerry the Best?

• Most receptions in NFL history
• Most receiving yards ever (over 22,000 yards!)
• Most receiving touchdowns ever (197 touchdowns)
• 13 Pro Bowl selections
• 3 Super Bowl championships

Still Great at 40

Here’s something amazing: When Jerry was 40 years old, he caught passes for 1,211 yards! Most players retire before they turn 35, but Jerry was still dominating.

This is the longest NFL career by position for wide receivers. Jerry played for the San Francisco 49ers (16 years), Oakland Raiders, and Seattle Seahawks.

Jerry showed that with training, discipline, and love for the game, receivers can play longer than anyone thought possible.

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10. Brett Favre – The Iron Quarterback

Brett Favre was known for two things: being tough and never missing games.

He played 302 games from 1991 to 2010. That’s 19 seasons of professional football!

Brett’s Toughness

Brett started 297 games in a row as a quarterback. Rain, snow, injuries – nothing stopped him. He played through pain that would make most players sit out.

Brett Favre’s Career:

Player	Position	Games	Teams	Years Active
Brett Favre	Quarterback	302	4	1991–2010

His Achievements

• 3 MVP awards
• 1 Super Bowl championship
• 11 Pro Bowl selections
• Over 71,000 passing yards
• 508 passing touchdowns

Brett has one of the longest NFL career QB records. He played for the Falcons, Packers, Jets, and Vikings.

Playing Into His 40s

Even at age 40, Brett threw for over 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns in one season with the Minnesota Vikings. That’s like a grandpa still being one of the fastest runners in a race!

Bonus: Longest Playing NFL Player Current (2025)

Who are the longest-playing players right now in 2025?

Some current players are trying to break longevity records:

• Aaron Rodgers – The veteran quarterback is still playing
• Players like these are showing that modern training and medicine help players last longer

The longest playing NFL player currently in 2025 depends on who’s still active. New players keep proving that with science, nutrition, and dedication, careers can last longer than ever before.

Football is changing. Players take better care of their bodies now. They have better doctors, trainers, and recovery tools. Maybe someone playing today will break Morten Andersen’s record of 26 years!

NFL Longevity Facts and Insights

Let’s learn some cool facts about long NFL careers:

Quick Facts

• Average NFL career = 3.3 years – Most players don’t last long
• Kickers and punters last longest – Their job is less dangerous
• Quarterbacks can play longest – They don’t get hit as much as running backs
• Running backs have the shortest careers – They get tackled the most
• Training and diet are key – Taking care of your body helps you play longer

Why Some Positions Last Longer?

Kickers and punters don’t get tackled every play. Quarterbacks have rules protecting them from big hits. These players can play into their 40s.

Running backs and linebackers get hit on every play. Their bodies wear out faster. Most retire in their late 20s or early 30s.

The top 10 longest NFL careers all time are mostly kickers for this reason. But Tom Brady and Brett Favre proved that quarterbacks can last a very long time, too!

NFL Retirement and Career Duration by Position

Here’s a simple chart showing how long players usually last by position:

Position	Average Career Length	Longest Career Example
Quarterback	11 years	Tom Brady (23 years)
Kicker	14 years	Morten Andersen (26 years)
Punter	12 years	Jeff Feagles (22 years)
Wide Receiver	9 years	Jerry Rice (20 years)
Running Back	4 years	Frank Gore (16 years)
Linebacker	6 years	Ray Lewis (17 years)
Defensive Lineman	6 years	Bruce Smith (19 years)
Offensive Lineman	6 years	Bruce Matthews (19 years)

This NFL retirement age chart shows why kickers dominate the longevity lists. Their careers last 3-4 times longer than running backs!

Why Longevity Matters in the NFL?

Playing for a long time means you’re special. Here’s why:

Building a Legacy

Players who last 15+ years become legends. Fans remember them forever. Kids want to be like them. Their names go into the Hall of Fame.

Financial Security

NFL players earn more money the longer they play. After playing for 20 years, players get better pensions. The NFL pension after 20 years is much higher than shorter careers.

This means players can take care of their families even after they stop playing.

Respect from Everyone

When a player lasts 20+ years, everyone respects them. Coaches, teammates, and fans know they’re watching someone special. Only the toughest and most dedicated players can do this.

Health and Dedication

Playing this long means taking care of yourself every single day. It means:

• Eating healthy food
• Stretching and exercising
• Getting enough sleep
• Going to the doctor regularly
• Never giving up when things get hard

These players show young people that hard work and dedication pay off!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who played the longest NFL career ever?

Morten Andersen played the longest NFL career ever – 26 years (382 games). He played from 1982 to 2007 and retired when he was 47 years old.

• Which quarterback had the longest NFL career?

Tom Brady played for 23 years (2000–2023). He has the longest career for any quarterback in modern NFL history. George Blanda also played for 26 years, but was both a quarterback and kicker.

• Who is the longest active NFL player in 2025?

This changes each season as players retire. Check the current NFL rosters to see which veteran players are still active. Usually, it’s a kicker or quarterback in their late 30s or early 40s.

• What position usually has the longest career?

Kickers and punters last the longest because they don’t get tackled every play. Their average career is 12-14 years. After them, quarterbacks last longest at about 11 years.

• What is the average NFL retirement age?

Most NFL players retire between 27–30 years old. Remember, the average career is only 3.3 years. So if a player starts at age 23-24, they usually stop playing by 27-30.

• How do players extend their careers?

Players last longer by:

• Taking care of their bodies
• Eating healthy foods
• Working with trainers
• Using recovery tools like ice baths
• Avoiding serious injuries
• Staying mentally strong

Conclusion:

These ten players are examples of strength, dedication, and pure love for football.

Each one proved that with discipline, passion, and care for your body, you can last decades in one of the toughest sports on Earth.

From Morten Andersen kicking at age 47 to Tom Brady throwing touchdowns at 45, these legends showed us what’s possible when you refuse to give up.

They faced injuries. They faced younger players trying to take their jobs. They faced pain and doubt. But they kept going.

These top 10 players with the longest NFL careers all time will inspire football fans for generations.

They remind us that greatness isn’t just about talent – it’s about showing up, working hard, and loving what you do.

Who knows? Maybe a kid reading this right now will break these records one day. The love of football and hard work can make dreams come true!