When Aaron Rodgers takes the ground for the Jets on Monday evening, he’ll be doing it because the oldest participant within the NFL. That’s proper, the 39-year-old Rodgers is used than EVERY alternative participant within the league. 

The identify of the NFL’s oldest participant normally belongs to a kicker (or Tom Brady), however this yr, Rodgers gets the dignity. If you wish to really feel aging, simply believe this: The four-time MVP is the ONLY participant within the NFL this yr who used to be born in 1983. 

The truth that Rodgers holds the identify of oldest participant is if truth be told fairly of a awe, as it implies that there isn’t a unmarried participant within the NFL this yr who’s over the while of 40. That marks the primary generation since 1993 that there hasn’t been a minimum of one participant 40 or used on a roster to begin the season. 

Even though the NFL is unquestionably a tender guy’s recreation, there has all the time been a tiny truncate of gamers who performed into their 40s over the future 3 many years, together with Brady, Adam Vinatieri and John Carney. Brady performed his ultimate snap at while 45, however that didn’t lead Vinatieri, who performed in his ultimate recreation on Dec. 1, 2019, simply 27 days prior to his forty seventh birthday. As for Carney, he additionally crowned Brady within the while section as he performed in two video games in 2010 on the while of 46. 

Because of Carney, Vinatieri and Brady, there’s been a minimum of one 40-year-old within the league since 2004, but when you are taking the ones 3 out, there’s nonetheless been a minimum of one 40-year-old in each season since 1994. 

The 29-year streak began with Jackie Slater, who became 40 in 1994. Upcoming Slater retired following the 1995 season, Warren Moon saved the streak alive, enjoying in his 40s from 1996 via 2000. At that time, Gary Anderson took over, wearing the streak till 2004 (There have been alternative gamers of their 40s all over this window, however those guys did the obese lifting to book the streak alive). 

The identify of oldest participant normally belongs to a kicker, however clearly, that gained’t be taking place this yr. As an issue of reality, the NFL’s second-oldest participant this yr isn’t even a kicker. Arizona’s Matt Prater, who became 39 in August, is the oldest kicker, however he’s best 3rd at the checklist of oldest gamers for 2023. 

Right here’s a take a look at the 5 oldest NFL gamers heading into the 2023 season: 

• 1. Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, 39 (Dec. 2, 1983)
• 2. Bears TE Marcedes Lewis, 39 (Might 19, 1984)
• 3. Cardinals Okay Matt Prater, 39 (August 10, 1984)
• 4. Titans Okay Nick Family, 38 (Nov. 5, 1984)
• 5. Jets OL Duane Brown, 38 (Aug. 30, 1985)

It will have to be famous that the NFL’s streak of getting a minimum of one 40-year-old participant may if truth be told proceed this season. Veteran offensive lineman Jason Peters has expressed some hobby in enjoying this yr and if the 41-year-old indicators with a workforce, he’ll immediately turn out to be the oldest participant within the NFL. 

Former 49ers kicker Robbie Gould could also be hoping to play games this yr and at 40, he would additionally book the NFL’s streak alive if he finally ends up enjoying this season. For now, Rodgers holds the identify of oldest participant, so he’ll be founding the season with a identify and he’ll even be hoping to finish the season through profitable a identify all over his first yr with the Jets.