Who is the oldest quarterback to ever play in an NFL game? (2024)

The New York Jets and their fans were dealt a crushing blow as star quarterback Aaron Rodgers faced a major setback just moments into the 2023 NFL season. Rodgers, a key asset for the team, tore his Achilles tendon a mere four plays into the game, sending shockwaves through the football community.

The injury, a significant setback for the Jets, raised concerns about Rodgers’ future on the field. Many experts speculated that this devastating incident could potentially sideline him until the 2024 season. Rodgers’ age amplified such fears, as he is on the brink of turning 40 this December, leading to questions about his ability to recover swiftly from such a severe injury.

FS1's Colin Cowherd claims that Aaron Rodgers' IQ isn't high regarding football.

"Forget about his vaccine and political opinions, Aaron's football IQ isn't very high.."

(via @BackAftaThis)pic.twitter.com/xb3Ye49YFDhttps://t.co/6mEhuwZD1G

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 17, 2024

Aaron Rodgers recently captured the internet’s attention with a viral video showcasing his incredible progress. Fifteen weeks after undergoing innovative surgery, Rodgers was spotted effortlessly throwing passes at MetLife Stadium. This remarkable feat highlights his determination and sheds light on the advancements in medical procedures that reshape how athletes recover from injuries.

After refusing to retire, Tom Brady was officially the oldest active player in the NFL. At 45 years old, the six-time Super Bowl winner was the only NFL player in his 40s, as well as the oldest MVP in the NFL. But does Brady win the title of the oldest NFL quarterback in the league’s history?

Who is the oldest NFL quarterback?

Brady will still need another three years to be the oldest quarterback in NFL history. The former Chicago Bears quarterback, George Blanda, is graded the oldest player and quarterback to ever play in the league, retiring at age 48 in 1976.

Blanda, who played 10 years with the Chicago Bears followed by seven seasons with the Houston Oilers and nine years with the Oakland Raiders, was the first player to celebrate a Silver Anniversary in pro football as he finished his career with an all-time high of 26 seasons.

He was named Player of the Year for quarterbacking and the “Player Who Best Exemplifies the Pride and Spirit of the Oakland Raiders” in 1970.

The oldest player in NFL History - lasting 26 seasons, George Blanda.#BearDown #ChicagoHistory pic.twitter.com/hEML6k1lZl

— Chicago History ™️ (@Chicago_History) December 13, 2015

John Nesser comes in second place as the second-oldest quarterback in the NFL, retiring at 45 years old. (Although Brady un-retired and played in the NFL, they are technically tied for second.)

Interestingly enough, Nesser started playing football before the NFL even existed in 1909 and went on to play for the Columbus Panhandlers, considered the first NFL team ever.

Columbus Panhandlers vs Detroit Panthers#NFLColorizationshttps://t.co/GWk4K4ME10 pic.twitter.com/gLIGh8knaR

— ᑭᖇO ᖴOOTᗷᗩᒪᒪ ᒍOᑌᖇᑎᗩᒪ 🏈 (@NFL_Journal) May 15, 2017

Tom Brady, the third-oldest active NFL player

The Brady saga finished. At 44 years old, he retired. Two months later, he made a controversial choice to un-retire before the start of the 2022 season, leading to a divorce from his wife, Gisele Bundchen, just after his 45th birthday and followed by a season of disappointment.

In the 2020 season, Brady’s old Patriots teammate, Adam Vinatieri, and Saints quarterback Drew Brees were the two other NFL players in their 40s. However, they both retired entering the 2021 season, leaving Brady solo in the 40s club.

Who is the oldest quarterback to ever play in an NFL game? (2024)

FAQs

Who is the oldest quarterback to ever play in an NFL game? ›

Brady will still need another three years to be the oldest quarterback in NFL history. The former Chicago Bears quarterback, George Blanda, is graded the oldest player and quarterback to ever play in the league, retiring at age 48 in 1976.

Who is the oldest quarterback ever to play in the NFL? ›

The oldest player ever to play quarterback at all was George Blanda, who briefly came in at quarterback for the Raiders in 1975, at 48 years, 95 days old. But for the last few years of his career Blanda was primarily a kicker who only played quarterback occasionally off the bench.

Who is the oldest player in the NFL history? ›

George Blanda, QB/K.

What quarterback played the longest in the NFL? ›

Tom Brady has played the most NFL games at quarterback, 335. Jason Hanson holds the NFL record of 21 seasons with the same team as placekicker for the Lions.

Who was the first black quarterback in the NFL? ›

Willie Thrower was cut from the team after his rookie season. However short his moment of glory, Willie Thrower became the first Black quarterback to ever play in the modern NFL on that day in October 1953.

Who was the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl? ›

Ben Roethlisberger is the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl in NFL history at 23 years, 11 months, and 3 days old. "Big Ben" and the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 in Super Bowl XL in 2006, ESPN reported.

What famous quarterback never won a Super Bowl? ›

Donovan McNabb

McNabb gets a lot of criticism for failing to win the Super Bowl, but his nine playoff victories are tied for the most by a quarterback that's never won a Super Bowl. McNabb actually has as many playoff wins as Drew Brees and more than Dan Marino (eight).

Who is the youngest NFL player ever? ›

Amobi Okoye, DT, Houston Texans (2007 NFL Draft)

In 2007, Amobi Okoye became the youngest player ever drafted into the NFL at 19 years and 10 months old. Okoye was born in Anambra State, Nigeria, and moved to Alabama at the age of 12.

Who has lost the most Super Bowls? ›

The Patriots and Broncos are tied for the most Super Bowl losses at five. The Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars are the four teams to have never appeared in a Super Bowl, although the Browns and Lions both won NFL championships before the Super Bowl era.

Who is the oldest quarterback to ever retire? ›

The former Chicago Bears quarterback, George Blanda, is graded the oldest player and quarterback to ever play in the league, retiring at age 48 in 1976.

Who is the highest paid NFL player? ›

The Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow is the highest paid player in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers' Nick Bosa is the highest paid defensive player in the league.

Did Brett Favre ever miss a game? ›

A significant shoulder injury forced Favre to miss the 13th game of the 2010 season, ending his streak of 297 consecutive regular-season games started—a record for durability at his position—and he retired a third time at season's end.

Has a black QB won a Super Bowl? ›

Despite the careers of Doug Williams, Randall Cunningham, Steve McNair, Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick, Warren Moon remains the only Black QB in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Only three Black quarterbacks have won the Super Bowl — Mahomes, Williams and Russell Wilson.

What's the lowest scoring Super Bowl game? ›

The lowest-scoring Super Bowl of all time was Super Bowl LIII in 2019. Just 16 total points were scored between the Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams. The Patriots won, 13-3. The previous record, set in 1973 at Super Bowl VII, was 21 points.

How many NFL players are over 40? ›

Jason Peters, Robbie Gould, and Andy Lee are currently playing football even though they are above the age of 40. Peters is the oldest among them at 41 years old.

At what age do quarterbacks retire? ›

The fact of the matter is that it's exceedingly rare for any quarterback to continue to play at a high level into their 40s. It almost NEVER happens. In fact, almost no one plays quarterback into their 40s at all.

How old was Warren Moon when he played in the NFL? ›

In 1984, the Houston Oilers signed the 27-year-old Moon – and he proved the stereotypes wrong, making nine Pro Bowls, including eight straight between 1988 and 1995. He twice led the NFL in passing yards, with 4,689 and 4,690 in 1990 and 1991, respectively.

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