Joe Montana played in the NFL from 1979 through 1994, spending 16 seasons as a quarterback before retiring in 1995.

Quick Scoop: When did Joe Montana play?

  • Joe Montana’s NFL career began in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers.
  • He played for the 49ers from 1979 to 1992, leading them to four Super Bowl titles during the 1980s.
  • He was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993 and played there in the 1993 and 1994 seasons.
  • Montana retired after the 1994 season, with his retirement becoming official in 1995.

So, if you’re just looking for the simple range for “when did Joe Montana play,” his pro career in the NFL ran from the late 1970s to the mid‑1990s, specifically 1979–1994.

TL;DR: Joe Montana played in the NFL from 1979 to 1994, mostly with the 49ers and then two seasons with the Chiefs, and formally retired in 1995.

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