How Old Are NFL Players?
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According to a recent study, the average NFL player is 26.5 years old. This is younger than the average player in the MLB (28.8 years old) and the NBA (27.2 years old).
The average age of NFL players has increased over time
As of 2019, the average age of an NFL player was 26.8 years old. This is a significant increase from the average age of 25.3 years old in 2010. The number of players over the age of 30 has also increased over time. In 2010, only 19% of NFL players were over the age of 30. As of 2019, that number has increased to 32%.
There are a number of reasons for this trend. First, players are now entering the league with more experience than they did in the past. In 2010, the average NFL player had 4.6 years of college experience. As of 2019, that number has increased to 5.1 years. This is due in part to the fact that more players are staying in school for their full four years of eligibility before declaring for the NFL draft.
Second, the NFL has made a concerted effort to improve player safety in recent years. This has led to an increase in the number of players who are taking care of their bodies and extending their careers as a result. Finally, the NFL’s salary cap has increases significantly in recent years, which has allowed teams to retain older players who might have otherwise been forced into retirement due to financial considerations.
The average age of NFL players by position
The average age of NFL players has been slowly creeping up in recent years. In 2008, the average player was 27.6 years old. By 2018, that number had risen to 28.1 years old. The oldest player in the league is currently 47-year-old Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, while the youngest is Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Leon Jacobs, who is just 21 years old.
So what about specific positions? Here’s a look at the average age of NFL players by position, according to data from 2018:
Quarterbacks: 29.3
Running backs: 27.0
Wide receivers: 26.6
Tight ends: 26.9
Offensive linemen: 27.4
Defensive linemen: 27.6
Linebackers: 28.0
Defensive backs: 26.9
Special teams: 27.0
The average age of NFL players by team
The average age of NFL players by team varies slightly. The median age for all NFL players is 27, but teams like the New England Patriots have an average player age of 26, while the New York Jets have an average player age of 28.1. The following table shows the average ages of NFL players by team:
TEAM | AVERAGE AGE
—|—
New England Patriots | 26
New York Jets | 28.1
Green Bay Packers | 27.4
Houston Texans | 26.9
The oldest NFL player ever
The oldest NFL player ever was George Blanda, who played until he was 48 years old. He retired in 1975 after 26 seasons in the league.
