What NFL Kicker Has the Longest Field Goal?

In the NFL, there have been some truly great field goals kicked. But which kicker has the longest field goal ever?

Introduction

In American football, the longest field goal possible is 58 yards (52.5 m), which has been accomplished nine times by seven different kickers. The record was first set by Steve Little of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977, and as of 2020, is jointly held by Jason Elam, Sebastian Janikowski, David Akers, Greg Zuerlein, Younghoe Koo, Matt Prater and Cairo Santos. The most recent occurrence was by Zuerlein in 2018. In Canadian football the longest field goal is 56 yards (50 m). It has been achieved 11 times by eight different kickers as of 2019. The record was first set by Gerry Organ of the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1975.

NFL Field Goal Leaders

To date, the longest field goal in NFL history is 64 yards, a feat accomplished by Matt Prater of the Denver Broncos in 2013. In the game against the Tennessee Titans, Prater kicked the ball through the uprights with just over two minutes remaining in the first half. The field goal helped the Broncos take a 16-7 lead, which they would not relinquish.

Prior to Prater’s accomplishment, the longest field goal in NFL history had been 63 yards, a mark set by Sebastian Janikowski of the Oakland Raiders in 2011. Janikowski’s kick came in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills and helped seal a 34-31 victory for the Raiders.

There have been 17 field goals kicked from 60 yards or more in NFL history. Jason Elam holds the record for most such field goals made in a career, with four. Elam kicked his first 60-yard field goal in 1998 and his most recent one in 2003.

The Longest Field Goals in NFL History

Kicker Matt Prater of the Denver Broncos holds the NFL record for the longest field goal, nailing a 64-yarder in 2013. In terms of distance, that’s 5 yards longer than the previous record, set by Sebastian Janikowski of the Oakland Raiders in 2011.

However, Janikowski’s kick came in a game against the Broncos at Denver’s notoriously high altitude, which gives kickers a bit of an advantage. In terms of raw distance, Janikowski’s kick would have traveled about 69 yards if it had been kicked at sea level.

So while Prater may hold the official NFL record for longest field goal, Janikowski can lay claim to kicking the longest field goal in NFL history.

The Current NFL Field Goal Record Holder

The current NFL field goal record holder is Matt Prater of the Denver Broncos. Prater set the record on December 8, 2013, kicking a 64-yard field goal against the Tennessee Titans.

NFL Kickers with the Most Field Goals in a Season

The National Football League (NFL) 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 North American professional sports leagues, the highest professional level of American football in the world.

In every NFL season, there are a few standout players who manage to kick an exceptional number of field goals. Here are the NFL kickers who have made the most field goals in a single season:

1. Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers: 34 field goals in 2007
2. Rob Bironas, Tennessee Titans: 35 field goals in 2007
3. Neil Rackers, Arizona Cardinals: 40 field goals in 2005
4. Jason Elam, Denver Broncos: 37 field goals in 1998
5. Adam Vinatieri, New England Patriots: 42 field goals in 2004

NFL Kickers with the Most Field Goals in a Career

NFL kickers with the most field goals in a career:

1. Morten Andersen – 565
2. Gary Anderson – 538
3. Jason Elam – 493
4. John Carney – 478
5. Matt Stover – 471
6. Adam Vinatieri – 467
7. Phil Dawson – 461
8. Sebastian Janikowski – 414
9. David Akers – 410
10. Josh Brown – 409

Conclusion

In conclusion, the NFL kicker with the longest field goal is Matt Prater.