The Origins of the NFL: Tracing the 10 Oldest Teams in League History
The National Football League (NFL) stands today as an iconic global sports powerhouse, captivating an audience of millions, especially during its grand finale—the Super Bowl. But this colossal league had far more modest roots, beginning over a century ago in the American Midwest. In this article, we chronicle the oldest NFL teams, highlighting the enduring franchises that helped shape professional football from its embryonic days to its current stature.
The Dawn of Pro Football: The NFL’s First Teams
The foundation for what would become the NFL was laid in 1920, when the American Professional Football Association (APFA) invited a group of pioneering teams to compete. By 1922, the league would adopt the now-famous National Football League name. That first APFA season featured 14 trailblazing clubs:
- Akron Pros
- Buffalo All-Americans
- Canton Bulldogs
- Chicago Cardinals
- Chicago Tigers
- Cleveland Tigers
- Columbus Panhandles
- Dayton Triangles
- Decatur Staleys
- Detroit Heralds
- Hammond Pros
- Muncie Flyers
- Rochester Jeffersons
- Rock Island Independents
While most of these early teams disappeared or merged over time, two original franchises remain integral to the NFL’s story: the team now known as the Arizona Cardinals, and the Chicago Bears.
Legacy on the Gridiron: Profiles of the 10 Oldest NFL Franchises
The following sections explore the storied pasts of the league’s longest-running teams. From humble beginnings to lasting legacies, these franchises are pillars of NFL tradition.
Arizona Cardinals: The NFL’s Oldest Continuous Franchise
The Cardinals’ journey began in 1898 as the Chicago-based Morgan Athletic Club before evolving into the Chicago Cardinals. When the APFA—the precursor to the NFL—was established in 1920, the Cardinals paid a $100 fee to become a charter member. Through more than a century of play, the team’s identity has shifted across names and cities. Their chronology includes: Racine Normals, Racine Cardinals, Chicago Cardinals, Card-Pitt (during a wartime merger), St. Louis Cardinals, Phoenix Cardinals, and, since 1994, the Arizona Cardinals. Despite their longevity, the franchise has secured only two NFL championships and continues to pursue a first Super Bowl title.
Image credit: Joe Glorioso | All-Pro Reels
Chicago Bears: From Decatur Roots to NFL Icons
The Bears began as the Decatur Staleys, founded by A.E. Staley and later managed by the legendary George Halas. The franchise relocated to Chicago in 1921 before taking on the Bears moniker in 1922—a name it has kept ever since. Notably, the Bears have always remained in Chicago, making them the oldest continually operating team in one city. Though their Super Bowl triumph came in 1985, Chicago claimed eight league championships between the 1920s and 1960s, cementing its reputation as a powerhouse in pro football’s early days.
Image credit: FOX Sports, CC BY 3.0
Green Bay Packers: Fan-Owned Tradition and Historic Success
Joining the NFL in 1921, the Green Bay Packers are the league’s third oldest team still in existence. Their name pays homage to the Indian Packing Company, which sponsored the club in its formative years. Unique among NFL franchises, the Packers are publicly owned by fans—a rarity in professional sports. Playing at iconic Lambeau Field since 1957, Green Bay remains rooted in the community that built it. Throughout league history, the Packers have amassed 13 combined NFL Championships and Super Bowl victories, a record that reflects their storied tradition.
Image credit: Joe Glorioso | All-Pro Reels
New York Giants: Big Blue’s Enduring Impact
Founded in 1925, the New York Giants brought professional football to the nation’s most populous city. Though financially backed by the NFL’s first boxing promoter, Tim Mara, the franchise quickly developed a large following. While the team’s name references New York, since 1976 its home games have been played in neighboring New Jersey. Over the decades, the Giants have captured eight league championships, placing them among the most decorated teams in NFL history.
Image credit: Joe Glorioso | All-Pro Reels
Detroit Lions: Perseverance Amid Rebranding
The Detroit Lions originated as the Portsmouth Spartans, joining the NFL in 1930 before moving to Detroit and adopting their current name in 1934. Despite a brief era of success—winning four NFL championships between 1935 and 1957—the Lions have faced long periods with limited playoff appearances and are yet to reach a Super Bowl. Based in the Midwest like many early teams, the Lions’ enduring support reflects football’s deep roots in the region.
Image credit: Joe Glorioso | All-Pro Reels
Washington Commanders: From Boston Beginnings to D.C.
One of the NFL’s oldest franchises started as the Boston Braves in 1932. Over its history, the club changed names—most notably the Redskins, a name retired after criticism of its offensive origins. The franchise relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1937. With five NFL championships or Super Bowl wins, the Commanders maintain a dedicated fan base despite not winning a Super Bowl since 1991.
Image credit: Joe Glorioso | All-Pro Reels
Pittsburgh Steelers: Steel City’s Grit and Greatness
Joining the NFL in 1933 as the Pittsburgh Pirates, the franchise adopted the Steelers name in 1940 to honor the city’s industrial history. The team briefly merged with rivals during the war years due to player shortages but restored the Steelers identity by 1945. Famed for its blue-collar ethos and passionate “Steeler Nation” fan base, the club ranks among the NFL’s most successful, with six Super Bowl titles amassed since the Super Bowl’s creation in 1966.
Image credit: Erik Drost / Flikr
Philadelphia Eagles: Building Loyalty One Generation at a Time
Like Pittsburgh, the Philadelphia Eagles entered the league in 1933. Apart from a brief 1943 merger with the Steelers (the Steagles), the Eagles’ name and identity have remained solid. For decades, Philadelphia fans endured many setbacks, with a long championship drought between 1960 and their first Super Bowl win in 2017—a victory relished by generation after generation of devoted followers.
Image credit: Joe Glorioso | All-Pro Reels
Los Angeles Rams: A Legacy Built in Multiple Cities
Established in 1936 as the Cleveland Rams, this franchise’s story is one of frequent moves and name changes. The club sat out the 1943 NFL season due to World War II, returned as the Cleveland Rams, and soon relocated to Los Angeles in 1946. A later move took them to St. Louis before they returned to LA in 2016. Despite changes in geography, the Rams have secured four championships, including the celebrated “Greatest Show on Turf” victory in 2000 and another Super Bowl win in 2022.
Image credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
Cleveland Browns: Storied Start and Modern Struggles
Founded in 1944 and entering the NFL in 1946, the Cleveland Browns quickly became a dominant force, winning four league titles by 1964. The franchise was temporarily suspended from 1996–1998 when owner Art Modell attempted a relocation, but the team’s history, colors, and records remained tied to Cleveland. While early seasons were filled with triumph, modern years have brought fewer playoff appearances and a continuing quest for postseason resurgence.
Image credit: Erik Drost / Flikr
Does Age Forecast Greatness? Tradition and Triumph in the NFL
For millions of fans, historic franchises like the Packers and Bears evoke loyalty, nostalgia, and pride. Yet, a close look at NFL records shows that longevity doesn’t guarantee continuous success. Dynasties rise and fall, and while some vintage teams enjoy rich traditions, others like the Lions and Browns continue to chase modern championship glory. Ultimately, in the NFL, history brings respect—but victory must always be earned on the field.
