An ordinary player cannot play a sports game for a very long period, especially in football. The game places a significant amount of physical and mental stress on the body. However, there are certain athletes who manage to outlast the passage of time and prolong their time in the league.
The NFL draft is one of the most exciting events in all of sports. Quarterbacks are highly valued in the NFL, making it one of the most demanding positions on the field. As a result, it’s been proven that an effective quarterback is vital for an NFL team to be successful.
With that said, it’s hard to find a player who has prolonged his career playing in the NFL for over 20 years. Below is the list of the current oldest active quarterbacks in the NFL.
14. Tyrod Taylor (August 3, 1989 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 33 years, 3 months, 4 days
College: Virginia Tech
Current Team: New York Giants
Years Active: 2011 – present (11 years)
photo source: commons.wikimedia.org
American football quarterback Tyrod Diallo Taylor plays for the National Football League’s New York Giants. He was a Virginia Tech Hokies college football player, helping the team win the 2009 Orange Bowl as a sophomore and the 2011 Orange Bowl as a senior.
He was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, who used him as a backup to starter quarterback Joe Flacco, including during the Ravens’ triumph over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.
Taylor and the New York Giants agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract on March 17, 2022.
Did You Know?
He established his own collection of men’s eyeglasses in association with the retailer of eyewear, Frame Genie.
13. Nick Foles (January 20, 1989 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 33 years, 9 months, 18 days
College: Michigan State
Current Team: Indianapolis Colts
Years Active: 2012 – present (10 years)
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American football quarterback Nicholas Edward Foles plays for the National Football League’s Indianapolis Colts. He represented numerous NFL teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, while playing collegiate football for the University of Arizona.
Foles, a three-year starter at Arizona, was acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round (88th overall) of the 2012 NFL draft. Nick Foles has played for and won several honors with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, and Jacksonville Jaguars during the course of his eight-year career.
On May 23, 2022, Foles signed a two-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts.
Did You Know?
The only quarterback in NFL history to start each of his first two postseason games with a passing rating above 100 is Nick Foles. In his 2013 start against the Saints, Foles had a 105.0 rating and a 100.1 rating.
12. Kirk Cousins (August 19, 1988 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 34 years, 2 months, 19 days
College: Michigan State
Current Team: Minnesota Vikings
Years Active: 2012 – present (10 years)
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American football quarterback Kirk Daniel Cousins plays for the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings. He was acquired by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft as a backup to fellow rookie Robert Griffin III, who played his college football at Michigan State.
For his spirited performance, he won several awards, including NFC Offensive Player of the Month in 2015. The Lowe’s Senior Class Award was also given to him. Cousins established multiple team records while playing for the Redskins and was selected for the 2017 Pro Bowl.
On March 13, 2022, Cousins signed a one-year, $35 million fully guaranteed contract extension through the 2023 season.
Did You Know?
Kirk Cousins is one of the highest-paid players in NFL history.
11. Ryan Tannehill (July 27, 1988 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 34 years, 3 months, 11 days
College: Texas A&M
Current Team: Tennessee Titans
Years Active: 2012 – present (10 years)
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American football quarterback Ryan Timothy Tannehill III plays for the National Football League’s Tennessee Titans. He played wide receiver for Texas A&M in college football up until his junior year, where he was selected eighth overall in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins.
Prior to being traded to the Titans in 2019, Tannehill spent his first seven seasons as the Dolphins’ regular starter. At the end of the 2019 season, Tannehill made his first playoff appearance in his career. He contributed to the Titans’ victories against Baltimore in the divisional round and New England in the wild card game.
Tannehill and the Titans agreed to a four-year agreement on March 17, 2020, for $118 million, of which $62 million was guaranteed.
Did You Know?
He was chosen for the 2019 Pro Bowl and was awarded as the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.
10. Case Keenum (February 17, 1988 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 34 years, 8 months, 21 days
College: Houston
Current Team: Buffalo Bills
Years Active: 2012 – present (10 years)
photo source: commons.wikimedia.org
Case Keenum has played quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans, St. Louis Rams, and Denver Broncos. He achieved fame throughout his NFL career by leading the Vikings to a 13-win regular season and a dramatic playoff victory over the New Orleans Saints known as the Minneapolis Miracle.
In exchange for a 2022 seventh-round pick, the Browns sent Keenum to the Buffalo Bills on March 20, 2022. In addition, the move brought Stefon Diggs, Keenum’s teammate in the Minneapolis Miracle since 2020, back together.
Did You Know?
Following the Vikings’ Minneapolis Miracle, which resulted in a last-second victory for the Vikings, he is renowned for publicly professing his faith and declaring that the happiest moment of his life was committing his life to Jesus Christ.
9. Matthew Stafford (February 7, 1988 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 34 years, 9 months
College: Georgia
Current Team: Los Angeles Rams
Years Active: 2009 – present (13 years)
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American football quarterback John Matthew Stafford plays for the National Football League’s Los Angeles Rams. He was a first-team All-American while playing college football for Georgia, and the Detroit Lions drafted him first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft.
As the first overall selection in the 2009 NFL draft, Stafford set a record for the quickest to reach 3,000 career completions (125 games). From 2009 until 2020, Stafford served as the Lions’ regular starter.
After 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions, Stafford was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in March 2021. His first Super Bowl victory came right off the bat. In March 2022, he signed a new, $160 million, four-year contract that included a $60 million signing bonus.
Did You Know?
The richest contract in NFL history, Stafford’s five-year, $135 million agreement was inked in 2017.
8. Andy Dalton (October 29, 1987 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 35 years, 9 days
College: Texas Christian University
Current Team: New Orlean Saints
Years Active: 2011 – present (11 years)
photo source: commons.wikimedia.org
Andy Dalton, who was originally selected by Cincinnati in the second round (35th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft, spent nine seasons as the Bengals’ starting quarterback. During that time, he led the team to the playoffs in each of his first five NFL seasons, which is the longest postseason streak in team history.
The 12-year veteran has played in 152 games, 148 of which he started for the Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, and Chicago Bears. He has completed 62.2 percent of his passes while throwing for 35,279 yards, 226 touchdowns, and 135 interceptions.
Additionally, Dalton has 22 career running touchdowns, which ranks sixth among quarterbacks in the NFL since his debut in 2011. Dalton committed to the New Orleans Saints on March 29, 2022, for a single season.
Did You Know?
Andy Dalton’s nickname is “The Red Rifle.” His red hair and position as a quarterback inspired the name.
7. Chase Daniel (October 7, 1986 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 36 years, 1 month
College: Missouri
Current Team: Los Angeles Chargers
Years Active: 2009 – present (13 years)
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The quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers is Chase Daniel. In 2009, the Washington Football Team signed him as an undrafted free agent after he had competed for Missouri in the NCAA. Since then, Daniel has played for the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Daniel was awarded as the Offensive Player of the Year by the Big 12 Conference on November 27, 2007. He is the first Missouri athlete to be given that distinction.
Daniel accepted a contract with the Los Angeles Chargers on March 31, 2021. He participated in one game as Justin Herbert’s backup. Daniel re-signed with the Chargers on March 17, 2022.
Did You Know?
Daniel has made $34.3 million, which places him 61st among all quarterbacks in Spotrac’s database.
6. Brian Hoyer (October 13, 1985 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 37 years, 25 days
College: Michigan State
Current Team: New England Patriots
Years Active: 2009 – present (13 years)
photo source: commons.wikimedia.org
American football quarterback Brian Hoyer plays for the National Football League’s New England Patriots. He has been in the NFL since 2009 and has played quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Arizona Cardinals.
Hoyer and the New England Patriots agreed to a one-year deal on March 25, 2020. With a 98.1 passer rating, Brian Hoyer outperformed Matt Gutierrez, Kevin O’Connell, and Andrew Walter in his debut season with the New England Patriots, making him the lone backup quarterback on the team heading into the regular season.
Hoyer extended his two-year deal with the Patriots on March 14, 2022. For the 2022 season, he was selected as the backup quarterback.
Did You Know?
He was Tom Brady’s backup quarterback for the New England Patriots for 3 years.
5. Chad Henne (July 2, 1985 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 37 years, 4 months, 5 days
College: Michigan
Current Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Years Active: 2008 – present (14 years)
photo source: commons.wikimedia.org
American football quarterback Chad Steven Henne plays for the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs. He was initially drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round (57th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Henne played in his first postseason game against the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Divisional Round. He led the Chiefs to a third consecutive trip to the AFC Championship Game by completing 6-of-8 passes for 66 yards and adding 12 rushing yards.
In Week 17 of the 2020 season, Henne made his first start in a Kansas City Chiefs uniform. This was his first start in the NFL since 2014.
Chad Henne, the 15th-year quarterback, enters his fifth season with the Chiefs in 2022.
Did You Know?
Henne holds the records for most passing completions, attempts, yards, and touchdowns in Michigan history. In Big Ten history, his 87 touchdown passes rank third.
4. Matt Ryan (May 17, 1985 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 37 years, 5 months, 21 days
College: Boston College
Current Team: Indianapolis Colts
Years Active: 2008 – present (14 years)
photo source: commons.wikimedia.org
American football quarterback Matt Ryan plays for the National Football League’s Indianapolis Colts. Ryan, nicknamed “Matty Ice,” was a Boston College football player who earned the Manning and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards as a senior.
The four-time Pro Bowler was awarded MVP in 2016 and led the Atlanta Falcons to their second Super Bowl berth.
Ryan was traded to the Indianapolis Colts on March 21, 2022, in exchange for a third-round pick in the next NFL Draft.
Did You Know?
Ryan became the first NFL player to be paid an average of $30 million per season with a five-year, $150 million deal signed in 2018.
3. Joe Flacco (January 16, 1985 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 37 years, 9 months, 22 days
College: Delaware
Current Team: New York Jets
Years Active: 2008 – present (14 years)
photo source: commons.wikimedia.org
One of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history is Joe Flacco. The Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos are only two of the notable NFL teams for whom he has played. He is the quarterback for the 1968 Super Bowl champion New York Jets today.
After his performance started to deteriorate in the late 2010s, Flacco was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2019. His playing year was abruptly halted by a neck injury eight games into the 2019 season, and the Broncos dismissed him.
He later signed on with the New York Jets as Sam Darnold’s backup before taking over as the starter for the Jets.
Did You Know?
Joe Flacco won AFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 9 of his rookie season.
2. Aaron Rodgers (December 2, 1983 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 38 years, 11 months, 5 days
College: California
Current Team: Green Bay Packers
Years Active: 2005 – present (17 years)
photo source: commons.wikimedia.org
Aaron Rodgers is the second-oldest quarterback who’s still playing in the NFL after Tom Brady. Many people believe Rodgers to be one of the most gifted quarterbacks in NFL history, despite the fact that he has only won one Super Bowl (Super Bowl XLV in 2011).
He played only seven games in 2017 due to a fractured collarbone, and the Packers’ eight-year postseason streak came to an end as a result.
Rodgers holds a number of records, including the greatest single-season passer rating record of 122.5 and the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in NFL history at 4.83. He also has the lowest lifetime interception rate in the league, at 1.3 percent.
Did You Know?
After a touchdown play, Aaron Rodgers celebrates by making a move that seems like he’s placing an imaginary championship belt around his waist. This celebration, which he and his teammates have called the “Championship Belt,” has grown renowned since 2008.
1. Tom Brady (August 3, 1977 – present)
Current Age (as of November 2022): 45 years, 3 months, 4 days
College: Michigan
Current Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Years Active: 2000 – present (22 years)
photo source: commons.wikimedia.org
At the age of 45, Tom Brady is the oldest active quarterback in the NFL and one of the oldest quarterbacks ever in the League’s history.
Before the year 2020, Brady had practically played his whole career for the New England Patriots. The Patriots selected Brady in the 2000 NFL Draft as the team’s backup quarterback. Brady gained the starting quarterback job the following year, which he has retained ever since.
Brady surprised the sports world in March 2020 when he signed a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after leaving the New England Patriots in free agency. Tampa Bay won 11 games in his debut season with the Buccaneers, and the team qualified for the playoffs.
Brady made his retirement official in the first quarter of 2022. However, he announced that he would be joining the Buccaneers for the 2022 season just 40 days after his statement made news. Brady has also shown a desire to continue playing after age 50.
Did You Know?
Brady was five times selected as the game’s Most Valuable Player and guided his teams to a record of seven Super Bowl titles.
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