Average length of player careers in the NFL
Average playing career length in the National Football League (in years)
The statistic depicts the average length of a player's career in the National Football League, considering different aspects influencing the length of a playing career. According to the NFL Players Association the average career length is about 3.3 years. The NFL claims that the average career is about 6 years (for players who make a club's opening day roster in their rookie season).
Average NFL career length – additional information
Players with at least one Pro Bowl appearance usually have the longest career of all NFL players. These players’ careers last for 11.7 years on average, nearly four times longer than the average NFL career. First-round draft picks also have a NFL career length far above average – around nine years. In terms of positions, kickers and punters have the longest NFL career average, as their positions require the least physical contact in comparison to other positions. Quarterbacks are next on the list, with average career length of around 4.4 years. George Blanda, who played both as a kicker and a quarterback, has the longest NFL career of all time, playing for 26 seasons in total.
Quarterbacks not only have a longer career than the average NFL player, but they command the highest salaries in the league. Eight out of ten of the players with the highest salaries in the NFL are quarterbacks. Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo leads all players, with a salary of 24.7 million U.S. dollars in 2017. Tom Brady, drafted by the New England Patriots in 2000, has won 25 playoff games during his career, the most ever for a quarterback. Brady has led his team to five Super Bowls titles, placing the Pats amongst the top NFL teams in number of championships, only behind the Steelers.
Average playing career length in the National Football League (in years)
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| Average career length in years | |
|---|---|
| Players with at least one Pro Bowl selection / appearance | 11.7 |
| First-round draft picks | 9.3 |
| Player with at least three pension-credited seasons* | 7.1 |
| Player who makes a club's opening day roster in his rookie season | 6 |
| Average career of an NFL player** | 3.3 |
| Kickers & Punters** | 4.87 |
| Quarterbacks** | 4.44 |
| Cornerbacks** | 2.94 |
| Wide receivers** | 2.81 |
| Running backs** | 2.57 |
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