The Top 7 Oldest Players to Play in NFL History 

Philip Rivers shocked the sporting world as he came out of retirement to sign with the Indianapolis Colts and returned to the NFL at the age of 44.  Rivers, who retired in 2020, instantly became the oldest active player in the NFL.  It’s rare to see football players in the league after the age of 35, let alone 40.  But Rivers is putting his name into the record books. So, where does he rank all-time for the oldest players in the NFL?  

1. George Blanda — Age 48

No discussion here as George Blanda takes top spot after playing 26 seasons from 1949 to 1975. Blanda was not simply the oldest NFL player ever—he also held the record for most seasons played until being matched decades later.  

Blanda’s career is uniquely fascinating because he played two positions: quarterback and kicker. After early years with Chicago, he revitalized his career in the AFL as a passer for the Houston Oilers, winning three AFL championships. By his late 40s with the Raiders, Blanda had reinvented himself strictly as a kicker, but he remained a clutch performer. His incredible 1970 season—when he delivered multiple last-minute game-winning kicks and heroic relief appearances at quarterback—cemented his mythology.  

In his last game, Blanda was 48 years, 109 days old, setting a record that still stands. Given modern training and medical advantages, many think it will be broken—yet nearly 50 years later, no one has come close.

2. Morten Andersen — Age 47

Morten Andersen was one of the most decorated kickers ever, having played 25 seasons and retired as the NFL’s all-time scoring leader at the time. Andersen’s career stretched from 1982 to 2007, and his power never left him—even in his mid-40s, he remained one of the league’s most accurate long-range specialists. At 47 years, 133 days, Andersen became the NFL’s second-oldest player and the oldest non-quarterback or kicker to make a Pro Bowl. His longevity came from his consistency: smooth mechanics, rigorous training, and rare durability. Andersen’s legacy also includes being inducted into the Hall of Fame, only the second pure kicker ever to receive that honor.

3. Adam Vinatieri — Age 46

The most famous kicker of the modern era, Adam Vinatieri, is synonymous with longevity and clutch excellence. A three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots and longtime Colts legend, Vinatieri authored some of the greatest pressure kicks in NFL history—most notably the snowy game-winner against Oakland in the 2001 playoffs and two Super Bowl-winning field goals. Vinatieri played at a high level into his early 40s, making a Pro Bowl at age 42 and setting multiple NFL records—including all-time field goals made and total career points. He played his final NFL game in 2019 at 46 years, 41 days old. While he technically retired later, his on-field age cemented him as the third-oldest player ever.

4. John Carney — Age 46

Another example of a kicker who defied time, John Carney played 23 seasons and remained effective well past the age most athletes retire. What made Carney’s career particularly interesting is that he was cut multiple times early on, only to emerge as one of the league’s most accurate kickers.   In 2008, at 44 years old, Carney made the Pro Bowl with the Giants—one of the latest-career Pro Bowl appearances in NFL history. He ultimately played his final game at 46 years, 99 days. Carney later transitioned into coaching and kicking consulting, helping extend the careers of others much like his own.

5. Gary Anderson — Age 45

If you grew up watching the NFL in the 1980s and 90s, Gary Anderson’s helmet and single-bar facemask are unforgettable. The South African-born kicker played 23 seasons, most notably with the Steelers and Vikings, and remains one of the most consistent players in league history.

Anderson’s most famous season was 1998, when he became the first kicker to go perfect in the regular season—making every field goal and extra point—before missing a crucial kick in the NFC Championship Game. Despite that heartbreaking moment, Anderson’s legacy is of excellence and longevity. He retired after playing his final season at 45 years, 214 days, one of the highest ages ever for an NFL player.

6. Ben Agajanian — Age 45

One of the true pioneers of placekicking, Ben Agajanian—nicknamed “The Toeless Wonder” after losing toes in an accident—played from 1945 to 1964. His unique kicking style and resilience helped extend his career into his mid-40s, long before specialized training and modern sports medicine existed.  Agajanian didn’t just play a long time—he was instrumental in the evolution of special teams. Before players were designated kickers, many teams used position players for the job, but Agajanian became one of the first full-time specialists. He played his final game at 45 years, 63 days, making him one of the oldest players in league history and an early trailblazer for the role that kickers occupy today.

7. Tom Brady — Age 45

While most on this list are kickers, Tom Brady is the oldest non-kicker to ever play in the NFL—and the oldest quarterback by a massive margin. Brady didn’t just play until 45; he played at a near-elite level while doing it. He led the league in passing yards and touchdowns at age 44, a feat previously unimaginable.  Brady’s 23-year career is unparalleled among quarterbacks, both for its length and its success. His seven Super Bowl titles, three MVP awards, and endless records make him arguably the greatest player ever. But his longevity elevates his legend even further. Brady ended his career in 2022 at 45 years, 230 days, setting a quarterback record unlikely to ever be broken.

Final Thoughts

It’s crazy to think athletes can play into their forties, but these examples prove it can happen.  While most of these seven were kickers,  extending careers for more than two decades is a major accomplishment.  With science, better training regimens, could we see more players push their limits and try to play into their forties and beyond?  The list above may never be touched as players like Aaron Rodgers (42), Marcedes Lewis (41), and Matt Prater (41), who are currently the oldest active players, may be in their final season of pro football.