List of NFL players who spent their entire career with one franchise

Last updated

Lou Groza shares the record for most seasons with a single franchise at 21. Lou Groza, American football placekicker, on a 1950 football card.jpg
Lou Groza shares the record for most seasons with a single franchise at 21.

The National Football League is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). The NFL is one of the four major professional sports leagues in North America, and the highest professional level of American football in the world. [1]

Contents

This list include the players have spent the most seasons in their entire NFL career with one franchise (minimum 15 seasons). Each player has played at least one game in fifteen different NFL seasons for a single NFL franchise. The seasons are not necessarily consecutive. Time playing on amateur teams or teams out of the NFL are not considered. A franchise may change its location and/or name, but players would be considered to be part of the same franchise.

Some notable players who have been disqualified from this list are Tom Brady (who spent his first 20 seasons playing for the New England Patriots before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020), Sebastian Janikowski (who spent his first 18 seasons with the Oakland Raiders before signing with the Seattle Seahawks in 2018), Aaron Rodgers (who spent his first 18 seasons playing for the Green Bay Packers before being traded to the New York Jets in 2023 after a trade request), Johnny Unitas (who spent his first 17 seasons with the Baltimore Colts before being traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1973), and Jerry Rice (who spent 16 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before signing with the Oakland Raiders in 2001).

All-time list

Key

Note: This list is correct through the 2023 NFL season

^Denotes player who is still active in the NFL
*Denotes Pro Football Hall of Fame member
NFL players who have spent their career at one franchise
PlayerSeasonsCareerTeamPositionNotes
Lou Groza *211946–1959, 1961–1967 Cleveland Browns K / OT [2]
Jason Hanson 211992–2012 Detroit Lions K [3]
Darrell Green *201983–2002 Washington Redskins CB [4]
Jackie Slater *201976–1995 Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams OT [5]
Bruce Matthews *191983–2001 Houston Oilers / Tennessee Titans OL [6]
Pat Leahy 181974–1991 New York Jets K [7]
Ben Roethlisberger 182004–2021 Pittsburgh Steelers QB [8]
Jeff Van Note 181969–1986 Atlanta Falcons C [9]
Julius Adams 171971–1987 New England Patriots DL [10]
Jim Bakken 171962–1978 St. Louis Cardinals K / P [11]
John Brodie 171957–1973 San Francisco 49ers QB [12]
Larry Fitzgerald 172004–2020 Arizona Cardinals WR [13]
Mike Kenn 171978–1994 Atlanta Falcons OT [14]
Ray Lewis *171996–2012 Baltimore Ravens LB [15]
Dan Marino *171983–1999 Miami Dolphins QB [16]
Don Muhlbach 172004–2020 Detroit Lions LS [17]
Mick Tingelhoff *171962–1978 Minnesota Vikings C [18]
Ken Anderson 161971–1986 Cincinnati Bengals QB [19]
Ronde Barber *161997–2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers DB [20]
Sammy Baugh *161937–1952 Washington Redskins QB / DB / P [21]
Elvin Bethea *161968–1983 Houston Oilers DE [22]
Monte Coleman 161979–1994 Washington Redskins LB [23]
John Elway *161983–1998 Denver Broncos QB [24]
Antonio Gates 162003–2018 San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers TE [25]
Steve Grogan 161975–1990 New England Patriots QB [26]
Jimmy Johnson *161961–1976 San Francisco 49ers CB [27]
Patrick Mannelly 161998–2013 Chicago Bears LS [28]
Bart Starr *161956–1971 Green Bay Packers QB [29]
Gene Hickerson *161958–1960, 1962–1973 Cleveland Browns G [30]
Too Tall Jones 161974–1978, 1980–1989 Dallas Cowboys DE [31]
Sam Koch 162006–2021 Baltimore Ravens P [32]
L. P. Ladouceur 162005–2020 Dallas Cowboys LS [33]
Eli Manning 162004–2019 New York Giants QB [34]
Bill Bates 151983–1997 Dallas Cowboys S [35]
Troy Brown 151993–2007 New England Patriots WR [36]
Charlie Cowan 151961–1975 Los Angeles Rams OT [37]
Fred Cox 151963–1977 Minnesota Vikings K [38]
Dan Fouts *151973–1987 San Diego Chargers QB [39]
Mel Hein *151931–1945 New York Giants C / DL [40]
Charlie Krueger 151959–1973 San Francisco 49ers DT [41]
Joe Nash 151982–1996 Seattle Seahawks DT [42]
Ray Nitschke *151958–1972 Green Bay Packers LB [43]
Merlin Olsen *151962–1976 Los Angeles Rams DT [44]
Jim Otto *151960–1974 Oakland Raiders C [45]
Randy Rasmussen 151967–1981 New York Jets G [46]
Ken Riley *151969–1983 Cincinnati Bengals CB [47]
Len Rohde 151960–1974 San Francisco 49ers OT [48]
Joe Scibelli 151961–1975 Los Angeles Rams OT / G [49]
Art Shell *151968–1982 Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders OT [50]
Matthew Slater 152008–2023 New England Patriots WR
Michael Strahan *151993–2007 New York Giants DE [51]
Mark Tuinei 151983–1997 Dallas Cowboys OT [52]
Gene Upshaw *151967–1981 Oakland Raiders G [53]
Wayne Walker 151958–1972 Detroit Lions LB / K [54]
Russ Washington 151968–1982 San Diego Chargers OT / DT [55]
Roy Winston 151962–1976 Minnesota Vikings LB [56]
Brandon Graham ^152010–present Philadelphia Eagles DE [57]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XXXVII</span> 2003 National Football League championship game

Super Bowl XXXVII was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Oakland Raiders and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 2002 season. The Buccaneers defeated the Raiders by the score of 48–21, tied with Super Bowl XXXV for the seventh-largest Super Bowl margin of victory, winning their first-ever Super Bowl. The game was played on January 26, 2003, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

Daryle Pasquale Lamonica was an American professional football quarterback who played in the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the Oakland Raiders. Lamonica was drafted by the NFL Green Bay Packers in round 12 with the 168th overall pick. He spent his first four seasons mostly as a backup for the Buffalo Bills, who selected him in the 24th round of the 1963 AFL Draft. Lamonica played his next eight seasons as the primary starter of the Raiders, including after they joined the NFL through the AFL–NFL merger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Flores</span> American football player, coach and executive (born 1937)

Thomas Raymond Flores is an American former professional football player in the American Football League (AFL) and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a quarterback for nine seasons in the AFL, primarily with the Oakland Raiders. After his retirement as a coach, he was a radio announcer for more than twenty years.

Lionel Thomas Taylor is an American former football player and coach. He played as a wide receiver primarily with the Denver Broncos of American Football League (AFL), he led the league in receptions for five of the first six years of the league's existence. The second player to lead a league in receptions for at least five seasons, Taylor is currently the last to do so. He was the third wide receiver to reach 500 receptions in pro football history. He was also a longtime assistant coach in the league, winning two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2024, he was given the Award of Excellence by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his work as an assistant. However, despite all of his accomplishments as a player and coach, he has yet to be inducted into the hall of fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Babe Parilli</span> American gridiron football player (1930–2017)

Vito "Babe" Parilli was an American football quarterback and coach who played professionally for 18 seasons. Parilli spent five seasons in the National Football League (NFL), three in the Canadian Football League (CFL), and 10 in the American Football League (AFL). He played college football at the University of Kentucky, where he twice received consensus All-American honors and won two consecutive bowl games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Plunkett</span> American football player (born 1947)

James William Plunkett is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. He achieved his greatest success during his final eight seasons with the Raiders franchise, whom he led to two Super Bowl wins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Otto</span> American football player (1938–2024)

James Edwin Otto was an American professional football player who was a center for 15 seasons with the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Gruden</span> American football coach (born 1963)

Jon David Gruden is an American professional football coach who is an advisor for the Milano Seamen of the European League of Football. He held his first head coaching position with the Raiders franchise during their Oakland tenure from 1998 to 2001, where he won two consecutive division titles and made an AFC Championship Game appearance. Gruden was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002, which he led to their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXVII the same season. At age 39, he was the then-youngest head coach to win the Super Bowl. He served as Tampa Bay's head coach through 2008, setting the franchise record for wins, but made only two further playoff runs. After his firing from the Buccaneers, Gruden was featured as an analyst for ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcasts from the 2009 to the 2017 seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff Branch</span> American football player (1948–2019)

Clifford Branch Jr. was an American football wide receiver who played with the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders during his entire 14-year National Football League (NFL) career. He won three NFL championships with the Raiders in Super Bowl XI, XV and XVIII. He was selected by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL draft after playing college football for the Colorado Buffaloes. He was posthumously elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Brown (American football)</span> American football player, coach and administrator (1940–2019)

William Ferdie Brown was an American professional football player, coach and administrator. He played as a cornerback for the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League (AFL) and later in the National Football League (NFL). Following his playing career, Brown remained with the Raiders as an assistant coach. He served as the head football coach at California State University, Long Beach in 1991, the final season before the school's football program was terminated. Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1984. At the time of his death he was on the Raiders' administrative staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Campbell</span> American football player (born 1981)

Jason S. Campbell is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. Campbell also played for the Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals. After his playing career, he became an analyst for Auburn Sports Network.

Charlie Garner III is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. Garner was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He also played in the NFL the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Derrick Gibson is an American former professional football player who spent his entire career as a safety for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles before being selected by the Raiders in the first round in the 2001 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarvis Moss</span> American football player (born 1984)

Jarvis Jaray Moss is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons. He played college football for the University of Florida, received All-American honors, and was a member of a BCS National Championship team in 2006. Moss was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft, and played professionally for the Broncos and Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Davis (offensive tackle)</span> American football player (1956–2021)

Bruce Edward Davis was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders and the Houston Oilers. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, switching to the offensive line after beginning his collegiate career as a defensive tackle. He won two Super Bowls with the Raiders.

William Grant Laskey was an American professional football player who was a linebacker. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and professionally for ten years in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) from 1965 to 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Jasper</span> American football player (1973–2022)

Edward Videl Jasper was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 1997 NFL Draft and played for the Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, and Oakland Raiders from 1997 to 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amari Cooper</span> American football player (born 1994)

Amari Cooper is an American football wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, winning the Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's top receiver and earning unanimous All-American honors in 2014. Widely considered the top wide receiver prospect of the 2015 NFL draft, Cooper was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Oakland Raiders.

References

Specific

  1. ↑ Jozsa, Frank P. (2004). Sports Capitalism: The Foreign Business of American Professional Leagues. Ashgate Publishing. p. 270. ISBN   978-0-7546-4185-8. Since 1922, [the NFL] has been the top professional sports league in the world with respect to American football
  2. ↑ "Lou Groza Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  3. ↑ "Jason Hanson Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  4. ↑ "Darrell Green Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  5. ↑ "Jackie Slater Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  6. ↑ "Bruce Matthews Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  7. ↑ "Pat Leahy Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  8. ↑ "Ben Roethlisberger Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  9. ↑ "Jeff van Note Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  10. ↑ "Julius Adams Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  11. ↑ "Jim Bakken Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  12. ↑ "John Brodie Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  13. ↑ "Larry Fitzgerald Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  14. ↑ "Mike Kenn Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  15. ↑ "Ray Lewis Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  16. ↑ "Dan Marino Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  17. ↑ "Don Muhlbach Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  18. ↑ "Mick Tingelhoff Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  19. ↑ "Ken Anderson Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  20. ↑ "Ronde Barber Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  21. ↑ "Sammy Baugh Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  22. ↑ "Elvin Bethea Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  23. ↑ "Monte Coleman Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  24. ↑ "John Elway Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  25. ↑ "Antonio Gates Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  26. ↑ "Steve Grogan Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  27. ↑ "Jimmy Johnson Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  28. ↑ "Patrick Mannelly Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  29. ↑ "Bart Starr Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  30. ↑ "Gene Hickerson Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  31. ↑ "Too Tall Jones Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  32. ↑ "Sam Koch Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  33. ↑ "L.P. Ladouceur Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  34. ↑ "Eli Manning Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  35. ↑ "Bill Bates Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  36. ↑ "Troy Brown Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  37. ↑ "Charlie Cowan Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  38. ↑ "Fred Cox Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  39. ↑ "Dan Fouts Stats | Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  40. ↑ "Mel Hein Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  41. ↑ "Charlie Krueger Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  42. ↑ "Joe Nash Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  43. ↑ "Ray Nitschke Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  44. ↑ "Merlin Olsen Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  45. ↑ "Jim Otto Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  46. ↑ "Randy Rasmussen Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  47. ↑ "Ken Riley Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  48. ↑ "Len Rohde Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  49. ↑ "Joe Scibelli Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  50. ↑ "Art Shell Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  51. ↑ "Michael Strahan Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  52. ↑ "Mark Tuinei Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  53. ↑ "Gene Upshaw Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  54. ↑ "Wayne Walker Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  55. ↑ "Russ Washington Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  56. ↑ "Roy Winston Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  57. ↑ "Brandon Graham Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.