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. His return at 44 years old - he hadn't played since 2020 - made him the oldest active player in the league at the time.
Even after the Colts went 0-3 in his return, he said he had no regrets about unretiring. He later went back to coaching.
Check out related stats from NFL history below:
Oldest NFL quarterbacks to start a game (all time)
45 - Tom Brady
44 - Philip Rivers, Steve DeBerg, Vinny Testaverde, Warren Moon
42 - Doug Flutie
Oldest NFL players (active)
42 - Aaron Rodgers, Marcedes Lewis, Matt Prater
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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