Age doesn’t always mean greatness. Just because a team’s been around since leather helmets doesn’t mean it’s a cornerstone of football glory.
Some franchises love to puff out their chests about their “storied past,” when that past is more rust than gold. Here are 10 NFL teams that confuse being old with being historically significant.
10. Chicago Bears
The Bears have been around forever and love to remind you about it. But after decades of offensive misery and one lonely Super Bowl, their “rich tradition” feels more like a rerun stuck on loop.
9. Detroit Lions
The Lions are ancient by NFL standards but haven’t sniffed consistent relevance in generations. A few Thanksgiving games and Barry Sanders memories don’t make you historic.
8. Arizona Cardinals
They’ve been playing since before the forward pass was popular. Unfortunately, most fans couldn’t name five significant moments in Cardinals history—and that includes Cardinals fans.
7. Washington Commanders
Washington loves to talk about the glory days, but those days are sepia-toned and fading fast. The last few decades have been defined more by dysfunction than dominance. However, with their performance last year, things could be trending up.
6. New York Jets
Yes, they won Super Bowl III—but that was so long ago that most of the current roster wasn’t alive. They’ve been riding that Joe Namath wave for over 50 years with very little else to show for it.
5. Atlanta Falcons
They’ve been around since the ’60s and act like a foundational franchise. But their most memorable moment is unfortunately the most infamous collapse in Super Bowl history.
4. Cleveland Browns
This franchise had its heyday in the 1950s and has been clinging to it ever since. History matters, but eventually you’ve got to start making new ones that don’t involve heartbreak and jersey memes.
3. New York Giants
The Giants have had some legendary players and Super Bowl wins, but they often coast on their “old school” rep. The historic tag feels like a cover for mediocrity between lengthy losing stretches.
2. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have been around forever and are always “right there”—until they aren’t. Four Super Bowl losses and decades of playoff pain don’t exactly scream dynasty.
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1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Yes, they won several Super Bowls in the ’70s, but you’d think they invented the sport with how much they bring it up. Their more recent years haven’t been nearly as dominant, but they still carry themselves like it’s 1979.
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