Some quarterbacks just refuse to fade into the background, turning what should be the twilight of their careers into a second act of brilliance. Whether they aged like fine wine or simply had the grit to grind through Father Time, these QBs kept slinging it deep into their late 30s, and in a few cases, into their 40s.
From legends who redefined longevity to guys who squeezed every last drop out of their arms, this list celebrates the quarterbacks who stuck around, adapted, and kept performing when most of their peers were enjoying retirement. Here are 20 quarterbacks who showed that experience—and a strong right arm—can go a long, long way.
20. Doug Flutie
Flutie didn’t even become a regular NFL starter until his mid-30s, but still made plays into his 40s. He even drop-kicked an extra point at age 43, just because he could.
19. Rich Gannon
Gannon hit his peak in his late 30s, winning league MVP at 37. He led the Raiders to a Super Bowl while most guys his age were switching to coaching.
18. Jim Plunkett
After a rocky start to his career, Plunkett revived it in his 30s with the Raiders. He won two Super Bowls past age 33 and proved that patience can pay off big.
17. Brad Johnson
Johnson was never flashy, but he was reliable and smart well into his late 30s. He helped the Buccaneers win a Super Bowl at age 34 and was still starting at 38.
16. Kerry Collins
Collins was the ultimate journeyman who hung around for nearly two decades. He was still throwing darts in Tennessee and Indy past age 36.
15. Carson Palmer
Palmer’s second act with the Cardinals in his mid-30s was one of the best comebacks in recent memory. He led Arizona to an NFC Championship appearance at 36.
14. Randall Cunningham
Cunningham reinvented himself as a deep-ball assassin in Minnesota at 35. His late-career magic in 1998 nearly took the Vikings to the Super Bowl.
13. Phil Simms
Injuries cut some of his prime short, but Simms played solid football well into his late 30s. He was still a top starter for the Giants until nearly 39.
12. Joe Flacco
Flacco never wowed with stats, but his big arm and playoff savvy kept him in the league into his late 30s. He’s been the go-to veteran backup who can still win you games.
11. Vinny Testaverde
Testaverde might be the king of sticking around. He started games in four different decades and was still slinging it at age 44.
10. Steve DeBerg
DeBerg came back to start a game at age 44 after being out of the league. The man simply couldn’t resist the call of the huddle.
9. Matt Ryan
Matty Ice cooled off later in his career, but he still put up solid numbers into his mid-30s. He gave Atlanta over a decade of stability and played into his age-37 season.
8. Eli Manning
Eli didn’t always light up the stat sheet late in his career, but he was a durable and steady presence. He retired at 39 after 16 years with the Giants.
7. Philip Rivers
Rivers never missed a start and gave the Colts one last solid season at age 39. He walked away still playing well enough to be a playoff QB.
6. Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben adjusted his game late in his career and stayed effective into his late 30s. He retired at 39 still slinging short passes and dragging defenders with him.
5. Brett Favre
Favre’s wild ride included some late-career fireworks with the Vikings at age 40. He was still playing like a gunslinger when most QBs were coaching high school ball.
4. Warren Moon
Moon was launching spirals well into his 40s and made multiple Pro Bowls past age 35. His longevity was as impressive as his rocket arm.
3. Drew Brees
Brees stayed elite into his late 30s, setting records and carrying the Saints on his shoulders. He played until age 41 and rarely looked like he lost a step.
2. Peyton Manning
Even with a broken neck and declining arm strength, Peyton outsmarted defenses into his late 30s. He won a Super Bowl at 39, mostly with his brain and experience.
Read More: 10 Current NFL Quarterbacks Who Need a Ring Before They Retire
1. Tom Brady
No surprise here—Brady is the poster child for quarterback longevity. He won a Super Bowl at 43 and played until 45, somehow aging backward the whole time.
Read More: Ranking the 20 Chillest QBs Ever to Play the Game
