The oldest quarterback ever to play in an NFL game was George Blanda , who played until age 48.

Core answer

  • George Blanda is recognized as the oldest quarterback in NFL history, appearing in his final NFL season with the Oakland Raiders at age 48 in 1975.
  • He was primarily a quarterback and placekicker and remained on an NFL roster for 26 seasons from 1949 to 1975, an unmatched run for a QB.

Quick Scoop: key facts

  • Oldest QB ever: George Blanda, age 48 in his final season with the Raiders.
  • Previous mark for “oldest QB” belonged to John Nesser before Blanda broke it in the 1970s.
  • Tom Brady is the oldest starting quarterback in NFL history, starting a playoff game at age 45 years 166 days for the Buccaneers on January 16, 2023.

Historical context

  • Blanda’s career spanned the early days of modern pro football through the rise of the Super Bowl era, and his role gradually shifted from full‑time quarterback to mostly kicker while still being listed as a QB.
  • Discussion among fans often notes that while Blanda holds the age record, Brady’s feat of starting and starring at quarterback at age 44–45 is uniquely demanding in today’s pass‑heavy, physically intense NFL.

Today’s oldest active QBs (2025)

  • Recent league coverage has highlighted Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco among the oldest active quarterbacks in the NFL in 2025, with Rodgers topping current age lists.
  • Even so, both remain several years younger than Blanda’s all‑time mark and would need multiple more seasons to challenge his longevity record.

TL;DR: George Blanda holds the record as the oldest quarterback ever to play in the NFL at age 48, while Tom Brady is the oldest full‑time starting quarterback at 45.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.