NFL
Top 10 Active Oldest players in the NFL in 2024
Often, the National Football League (NFL) is considered a young man’s game. However, there are still some football iron men who can be revered as modern-day gladiators for persistently maintaining their NFL careers amidst their advancing ages.
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The ability to endure the relentless physical and mental demands of the NFL is undoubtedly an uphill task that doesn’t always guarantee a long-term career. It is no surprise that some elite competitors only afford a short career. Some players even average only 3 years while teams are quick to zoom out veterans with big cap hits. Nonetheless, it is always inspiring to witness some NFL players defy odds and remain active for decades.
As of August, 2024, the ten oldest active NFL players have ages ranging from 37 years to 40 years. The following list excludes players on free agency such as Jason Peters who is currently the oldest active player at 43 years old. Other players who qualify to be considered oldest active players but are free agents include Mason Crosby (39 years old), Duane Brown (38 years old), and Brian Hoyer (38 years old).
Top 10 Active Oldest players in the NFL in 2024
| Player | Team | Age |
| 10. Calais Campbell | Miami Dolphins | 37 Years Old (September 1, 1986) |
| 9. Josh Johnson | Baltimore Ravens | 38 Years Old (May 5, 1986) |
| 8. Thomas Morstead | New York Jets | 38 Years Old (March 8, 1986) |
| 7. Jon Weeks | Houston Texans | 38 Years Old (February 17, 1986) |
| 6. J.J. Jansen | Carolina Panthers | 38 Years Old (January 20, 1986) |
| 5. Joe Flacco | Indianapolis Colts | 39 Years Old (January 16, 1985) |
| 4. Nick Folk | Tennessee Titans | 39 Years Old (November 5, 1984) |
| 3. Matt Prater | Arizona Cardinals | 40 Years Old (August 10, 1984) |
| 2. Marcedes Lewis – | Chicago Bears | 40 Years Old (May 19, 1984) |
| 1. Aaron Rodgers | New York Jets | 40 Years Old (December 2, 1983) |
10. Calais Campbell: Miami Dolphins – (September 1, 1986, 37 Years Old)
Image Credits: Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Campbell is one of NFL’s fan favorites who has been playing right from 2008 after being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, where he spent nine years. Later, he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Baltimore Ravens, playing for three years in each of the two franchises. In 2023, the six-time Pro-Bowler signed a one-year contract with Atlanta Falcons, before joining the Miami Dolphins in 2024.
9. Josh Johnson: Baltimore Ravens – (May 5, 1986, 38 Years Old)
Arguably, a limited number of players in NFL history have the staying power harbored by Josh Johnson. Casually referred to as the “Journeyman”, Josh is a veteran quarterback who has been a record player of 14 NFL teams. The signal- caller started his career in 2008, with the Tamper Bay Buccaneers. Since then, he has carved a long-term niche role throughout the NFL in more than 43.75% of the league’s franchises. The 38-year-old re-signed a one-year deal with the Ravens after spending last season with the franchise.
8. Thomas Morstead: New York Jets – (March 8, 1986, 38 Years Old)
Image Credits: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
Thomas Morstead began his professional career in the NFL in 2009 after the New Orleans Saints drafted him. He quickly began rising up the career ladder and became one of the most established punters in the league. This earned him a chance in the NFL All-Rookie Team in his debut season. In both 2012 and 2018, Morstead stood out in the Pro Bowl. He spent 12 seasons with the Saints up until 2021 when the franchise released him due to a salary cap hiccup. He re-signed with the New York Jets later. Morstead remains a led powerhouse given his accurate kicks that often leave opponents deeply pinned downed. His era with the Saints remains one of the most successful.
7. Jon Weeks: Houston Texans– (February 17, 1986, 38 Years Old)
Image Credits: Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Jon Weeks, a long snapper, joined the NFL in 2010 as an undrafted free agent with the Texans. Ever since, he been a reliable and durable player despite being the longest-serving player in the franchise’s history. In 2024, he signed a one-year contract extending his deal to remain with the Texans for his 15th season. He has appeared in 227 consecutive games and recorded 33 tackles with one fumble recovery. Texans had nominated Weeks for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for 2024. Weeks’ consistency and accuracy has been key in driving Texan’s success over the years.
6. J.J. Jansen: Carolina Panthers – (January 20, 1986, 38 Years Old)
Image Credits: JJ Jansen #44 of the Carolina Panthers
Jansen joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and shortly after, he signed a deal with the Green Bay Packers. Before he even played a single game, he was traded to the Panthers in 2009. Although the Panthers were making a peculiar move trading an undrafted player who had never played a game, Jansen proved worthwhile and has been with the Panthers since then. To the team, Jansen is more than a staple given that he has established his name in the record books. The long snapper holds the record for the most games played for the Panthers. In 2023, he was titled a Pro Bowler. Throughout his career with the Panthers, Jensen has been nothing short of meticulous, reliable, and consistent. Even in his second decade, Jensen continues to raise the franchise’s flag higher.
5. Joe Flacco: Indianapolis Colts – (January 16, 1985, 39 Years Old)
Image Credits: Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Joe Flacco, a quarterback with the Colts, started his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008, where he led the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory in the 2012/2013 season. He was also named the Super Bowl MVP in that same season. Further, he transformed the Ravens by raising the record status from 5-11 in 2007 to 11-5 in 2008, leading the team to a playoff. Following his stellar performance in 2008, Flacco was awarded the NFL Rookie of the Year award. He played with the Ravens for 11 seasons before being traded to the Denver Broncos in 2019. After spending a year with the Broncos, he moved to the New York Jets in 2020 for three seasons as a backup quarterback. The following year, he signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and in 2022 he re-signed with the Jets. Flacco later joined the Cleveland Browns in 2023, leading them to the playoffs. There, he earned the Comeback Player of the Year Award. Currently, he is a backup quarterback in the Indianapolis Colts.
4. Nick Folk: Tennessee Titans – (November 5, 1984, 39 Years Old)
Image Credits: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
Nick Folk was drafted in 2007 and started with the Dallas Cowboys, where he played until 2009 as the kicker. Next he sighed with New York jets and stayed with them until 2016. For the eight seasons Folk played for both the Cowboys and Jets, he stood out as a fairly reliable kicker, rendering him a Pro Bowl while still a rookie. In 2018, he took a year off the NFL and signed with the Arizona Hotshots in the Alliance of American Football. The league ceased its operations in April, 2019, prompting Folk to rejoin the NFL through a contract with the Patriots in October, 2019. Here, he recorded some of his best seasons but in 2023, he was traded to the Tennessee Titans who were seeking to revitalize their kicking game. The Titans considered Folk’s experience and stability indispensable.
3. Matt Prater: Arizona Cardinals – (August 10, 1984, 40 Years Old)
Image Credits: Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Matt Prater, a kicker for Arizona Cardinals, falls into the bracket of oldest active players that relentlessly exhibit the agility, endurance, and skill required to thrive successfully in the NFL. He started his football career as an undrafted agent with Detroit Lions and has grown into one of the commendable kickers of his generation. Overtime, he has made a significant impact despite moving around several teams. For instance, in 2007, Prater went to the Miami Dolphins before joining the Atlanta Falcons and later moving back to the Dolphins. He finally signed with the Denver Broncos where he played for seven years. Later, he rejoined the Lions, where he played until 2020, before joining the Arizona Cardinals. Prater’s NFL records cannot be overlooked. In 2013, he nailed a 64-yard boot. For eight years, he held the record for the longest field goal in the league’s history.
2. Marcedes Lewis: Chicago Bears – (May 19, 1984, 40 Years Old)
Image Credits: Cooper Neill/Getty Images
The Chicago Bears’ tight end, Lewis, turned 40 in May, 2024, enlisting him as one of the oldest active player in the NFL. He re-signed with the Chicago Bears in June, 2024 and will be entering his 19th season. In his previous 18 seasons, he played with the Jacksonville Jaguars since 2006 to 2017, the Green Bay Packers since 2018 to 2022, and the Bears since 2023. He stands out as the tight end with most seasons in NFL history. The veteran’s longevity in the league has borne him appearance in 268 games with a cumulative performance of 225 starts, catching 436 passes for 5,0113 yards, and 40 touchdowns. The 267-pounder remains one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL and despite his age, he remains supple, talented, and dedicated year after year.
1. Aaron Rodgers: New York Jets – (December 2, 1983, 40 Years Old)
Image Credits: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Aaron Rodgers is currently one of the oldest NFL players at 40 years. The California-born athlete’s passion for football began in childhood. His legendary journey in the NFL started with the Green Bay Packers, where in 2010 he led the team to a Super Bowl win. Being a veteran, the New York Jets’ quarterback hones a wealth of experience and skill that still manifests to date. He holds some of the most remarkable records in NFL history such as having the best touchdown-to-interception ratio, as well as the most consecutive games with minimal interceptions. In 2022, while still with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers’ record was 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and he threw 3,695 yards. In every year of his career, Rodgers has routinely thrown for at least 4,000 yards. Although Rodgers ended his 2023 season earlier following an Achilles tear, he has been mostly healthy across his career.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.