Who Played in the NFL the Longest?

Who played in the NFL the longest? This blog will take a look at some of the longest-tenured NFL players in history and see how they’ve managed to stay in the league for so long.

Brett Favre

Brett Favre played quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons, primarily with the Green Bay Packers. He played college football for the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), and was selected in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Favre spent most of his first season as a backup to Jeff Van Note; he then was traded to Green Bay on February 10, 1992. He was the Packers’ starting quarterback from 1992 to 2007, during which time he helped them win 13 division championships, two NFC Championships, and Super Bowl XXXI.

Favre became recognized as one of the league’s best quarterbacks in 1996, when he helped lead them to victory in Super Bowl XXXI and was named Super Bowl MVP. Between 1998 and 2004, he recorded eight consecutive seasons with 3,000 or more passing yards and 20 or more passing touchdowns. In 2007, Favre surpassed Warren Moon’s record for most touchdown passes thrown in a career; he retired as the NFL leader in passing touchdowns (488) and career passing yards (71,838). Favre holds many influential career records that frequently rank him among the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game: most consecutive starts by a player at any position (297); most seasons played by a player at any position (20); and most career victories as a starting quarterback (169).

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning, who played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos, is the NFL player who played the longest. He played for 18 seasons and was a 14-time Pro Bowl Selection.

Tom Brady

Tom Brady, who played for the New England Patriots for 20 seasons, is the NFL’s all-time leader in both career passing yards and career touchdown passes. He is also the only player in NFL history to win six Super Bowls.

Drew Brees

Drew Brees, who played for the New Orleans Saints, is the NFL player who has played the longest. He has been in the NFL for 20 years and is still going strong.

Larry Fitzgerald

Larry Fitzgerald, who was drafted third overall in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, is currently the oldest active wide receiver in the NFL. The 36-year-old has played in 16 seasons, compiling 1,378 catches for 17,083 yards and 121 touchdowns. Fitzgerald is a sure-fire Hall of Famer and one of the most respected players in the league.