The Cincinnati Bengals picked up Joe Flacco from the Browns mid-season in 2025. At 40 years old, is one of the oldest players in the league.

JUSTIN CASTERLINE
NFL

Joe Flacco in the 40+ club: Here’s where the Bengals QB ranks amongst oldest NFL players

Sports journalist who grew up in Dallas, TX. Lover of all things sports, she got her degree from Texas Tech University (Wreck ‘em Tech!) in 2011. Joined Diario AS USA in 2021 and now covers mostly American sports (primarily NFL, NBA, and MLB) as well as soccer from around the world.
Update:

The Cincinnati Bengals have used 40-year-old Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback for the 2025 season after Joe Burrow’s injury. Flacco was impressive in his first game with the Bengals against the Steelers. The two teams face each other again in Week 11.

A Super Bowl XLVII MVP with 45,697 career passing yards, Flacco now ranks as the third-oldest player in the league.

Oldest players in the NFL in 2025

The oldest player to ever play in the NFL was George Blanda, a quarterback and placekicker who did not retire until he was 48 years old (1976). While Flacco isn’t quite there, he is joining an exclusive club of current players approaching that mark.

The current oldest player is Rodgers at 41 years old. With Rodgers also starting with the Pittsburgh Steelers, 2025 marks just the eighth season in NFL history with multiple quarterbacks aged 40 or older taking the field.

10 oldest NFL players in the 2025 NFL season:

  1. QB Aaron Rodgers, Steelers: 41 years old (Dec. 2, 1983)
  2. K Nick Folk, Jets: 41 years old (Nov. 5, 1984)
  3. QB Joe Flacco, Browns: 40 years old (Jan. 16, 1985)
  4. C/LS J.J. Jansen, Panthers: 39 years old (Jan. 20, 1986)
  5. C/LS Jon Weeks, 49ers: 39 years old (Feb. 17, 1986)
  6. P Thomas Morstead, 49ers: 39 years old (March 8, 1986)
  7. C/LS Morgan Cox, Titans: 39 years old (April 26, 1986)
  8. QB Josh Johnson, Commanders: 39 years old (May 15, 1986)
  9. DL Calais Campbell, Cardinals: 39 years old (Sept. 1, 1986)
  10. K Graham Gano, Giants: 38 years old (April 8, 1987)

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