Sometimes it's hard to step away from the game you love. No NFL player appreciated that sentiment more than quarterback/kicker George Blanda, who played in the league for 16 seasons. In his last season in 1975, Blanda was 48, making him the oldest player to step onto the field in NFL history.
In December 2025, the Indianapolis Colts signed quarterback Philip Rivers, who last played in 2020. His return marked the 18th season of his career, making him the oldest active player in the league. After the Colts activated Rivers for a matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, he joined the ranks of the oldest quarterbacks to ever start a game.
Check out related stats from NFL history below:
Oldest NFL quarterbacks to start a game (all time)
45 - Tom Brady
44 - Steve DeBerg, Vinny Testaverde, Warren Moon
42 - Doug Flutie
Oldest NFL players (active)
42 - Aaron Rodgers
41 - Marcedes Lewis, Nick Folk, Matt Prater
40 - Joe Flacco
Oldest NFL players (all time)
48 - George Blanda
47 - Morten Andersen
45 - Ben Agajanian, Gary Anderson, Tom Brady, John Carney, Bobby Marshall, John Nesser
44 - Steve DeBerg, Warren Moon, Eddie Murray, Vinny Testaverde, Adam Vinatieri
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