The NFL has a rich history dating back over a century, with several teams tracing their origins to the league’s earliest days.
While some teams have relocated or changed names, their legacies remain intact. Let’s take a look at the 15 oldest NFL franchises of all time, ranked from youngest to oldest.
15. Buffalo Bills (Founded 1960)
The Bills were a founding member of the American Football League (AFL) before merging into the NFL in 1970. While they haven’t won a Super Bowl, they made four straight appearances in the early 1990s, an unprecedented feat in league history.
14. Kansas City Chiefs (Founded 1960)
Originally the Dallas Texans, the team moved to Kansas City in 1963 and became the Chiefs. They were one of the most successful AFL franchises and won Super Bowl IV before adding three more Super Bowls in the Patrick Mahomes era.
13. New York Jets (Founded 1959)
The New York Jets were founded in 1959 as the Titans of New York before rebranding in 1963. They became the first AFL team to defeat an NFL team in the Super Bowl when Joe Namath led them to victory in Super Bowl III, a defining moment in football history
12. Indianapolis Colts (Founded 1953)
The Colts were originally the Baltimore Colts before moving to Indianapolis in 1984. The team won three NFL championships before the Super Bowl era and later won two Super Bowls, including one led by Peyton Manning in 2006.
11. San Francisco 49ers (Founded 1946, Joined NFL in 1949)
The 49ers started in the All-America Football Conference before joining the NFL in 1949. They became a powerhouse in the 1980s and 1990s, winning five Super Bowls with Joe Montana, Steve Young, and Jerry Rice leading the way.
10. Cleveland Browns (Founded 1944, Joined NFL in 1950)
The Browns were formed in 1944 and became dominant in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) before joining the NFL in 1950. Led by legendary coach Paul Brown and running back Jim Brown, the franchise won multiple championships before the Super Bowl era.
9. Los Angeles Rams (Founded 1936)
The Rams began as the Cleveland Rams before moving to Los Angeles in 1946. They later relocated to St. Louis in 1995, winning Super Bowl XXXIV before returning to L.A. in 2016 and capturing another Super Bowl in 2021.
8. Washington Commanders (Founded 1932)
Originally known as the Boston Braves, the franchise was founded in 1932 before changing its name to the Boston Redskins and later moving to Washington, D.C. The team won three Super Bowls in the 1980s and early ’90s and officially rebranded as the Commanders in 2022.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (Founded 1933)
The Pittsburgh Steelers were founded in 1933 as the Pittsburgh Pirates before adopting their current name in 1940. They struggled for decades but became one of the most dominant franchises in the 1970s, winning four Super Bowls in six years under Terry Bradshaw and the “Steel Curtain” defense.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (Founded 1933)
The Eagles were also established in 1933 as a replacement for the bankrupt Frankford Yellow Jackets. After years of ups and downs, they won their first Super Bowl in 2017, cementing their status as a historic franchise with a passionate fanbase.
5. Detroit Lions (Founded 1928)
Originally known as the Portsmouth Spartans, the team relocated to Detroit in 1934 and became the Lions. Despite a strong early history that included four NFL championships before the Super Bowl era, the franchise has struggled in recent decades, though recent seasons suggest a potential resurgence.
4. New York Giants (Founded 1925)
The Giants were one of the NFL’s first successful big-market teams, winning four championships before the Super Bowl era. They’ve since added four Super Bowls to their trophy case, with memorable victories in 2007 and 2011 over the New England Patriots.
3. Green Bay Packers (Founded 1919, Joined NFL in 1921)
Although the Packers were founded in 1919, they didn’t officially join the NFL until 1921. They are the third-oldest NFL franchise still in operation and the only non-profit, publicly owned team in the league. Green Bay holds the record for most NFL championships (13), including four Super Bowls.
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2. Chicago Bears (Founded 1919, Joined NFL in 1920)
The Bears were established as the Decatur Staleys before moving to Chicago in 1921. They’ve been one of the league’s most storied franchises, winning multiple championships, including Super Bowl XX in 1985 with their legendary defense.
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1. Arizona Cardinals (Founded 1898, Joined NFL in 1920)
Originally the Morgan Athletic Club in 1898, the franchise became the Chicago Cardinals before moving to St. Louis and eventually Arizona. Despite being one of the NFL’s oldest teams, the Cardinals have only one NFL championship (1947) and are still seeking their first Super Bowl victory.
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