When fans talk about the foundational pillars of professional football, the conversation usually turns to longevity, historic rivalries, and charter franchises that survived the chaotic early decades of the sport. The oldest NFL teams carry histories stretching back over a century, long before prime-time television contracts or multi-billion-dollar stadiums existed. Understanding these early organizations requires looking past modern marketing and examining the muddy fields and regional athletic clubs where professional football was born.
The Arizona Cardinals hold the title of the oldest continuously operating franchise in professional American football. Tracing their roots back to 1898 as the Morgan Athletic Club in Chicago, the team predates the establishment of the National Football League itself by more than two decades. They became charter members of the American Professional Football Association—which was renamed the NFL in 1922—during the league's inaugural 1920 season. Despite multiple relocations to St. Louis in 1960 and later to Arizona in 1988, the franchise retains its lineage from the 19th-century amateur circuit.
The 1920 Charter Class and Early Survivors
The NFL was founded on September 17, 1920, in Hupmobile showroom in Canton, Ohio, initially operating as the American Professional Football Association. Out of the numerous small-town and regional clubs that signed up during those formative years, only two franchises from that original 1920 lineup remain active today: the Arizona Cardinals and the Chicago Bears.
The Chicago Bears originated in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys, sponsored by the A.E. Staley food starch company in Decatur, Illinois. George Halas took control of the team shortly after, moving them to Chicago in 1921. They competed as the Chicago Staleys for a single season before officially rebranding as the Chicago Bears in 1922. Halas shaped not only the franchise but modern professional football as a whole, serving as a player, coach, and league pioneer for decades.
The Green Bay Anomaly
While the Cardinals and Bears participated in the 1920 league formation, the Green Bay Packers possess a founding date that predates the NFL structure entirely. Established in 1919 by Curly Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun, the Packers played independently against regional teams across Wisconsin and Michigan before joining the infant league in 1921.
The Packers stand apart in American professional sports due to their unique ownership structure. While every other franchise relies on billionaire owners or corporate groups, the Packers operate as a publicly owned, non-profit community trust governed by local shareholders. This model has protected the team from ever relocating, anchoring one of the league's most storied brands in one of its smallest municipalities for over a century.
Expansion and Stabilization in the 1920s and 1930s
As professional football gained traction through the mid-1920s, the league began shedding unstable traveling squads in favor of stable, city-based franchises. Timelines from this era highlight several enduring organizations:
- New York Giants (1925): Tim Mara purchased the franchise for $500 in 1925, providing the fledgling league with a crucial foothold in America's largest media market. The Giants stabilized the financial health of the entire organization during a time when many teams struggled to pay travel expenses.
- Detroit Lions (1930): Originally founded as the Portsmouth Spartans in Ohio, the team relocated to Michigan in 1934 under the ownership of radio executive George A. Richards, establishing a permanent home in the Motor City.
- Washington Commanders (1932): Originally launched in Boston as the Braves before rebranding as the Redskins, the franchise moved to the nation's capital in 1937, building a fierce regional following.
- Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles (1933): Both franchises entered the league during the depths of the Great Depression in 1933. Arthur J. Rooney founded the Pittsburgh team (initially called the Pirates), while Bert Bell and Lud Wray established the Eagles in Philadelphia. During World War II, roster shortages forced these two teams to temporarily merge into the "Steagles" for the 1943 season.
You can review complete historical rosters and archive records directly via the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Navigating Name Changes and Corporate Transitions
Tracing the oldest franchises requires tracking frequent rebranding efforts, temporary mergers, and relocations. Early professional football was volatile, and owners regularly altered team names to match local preferences or avoid confusion with baseball clubs.
For example, the Steelers spent their early years playing under the moniker of the city's baseball team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, before officially adopting the Steelers name in 1940. Similarly, the Cardinals cycled through names such as the Racine Normals, Chicago Cardinals, St. Louis Cardinals, and Phoenix Cardinals before settling on their current designation. Understanding these shifts helps clarify why founding dates sometimes diverge from modern team names. Detailed timelines of league evolution are documented by NFL Operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NFL team is the absolute oldest?
The Arizona Cardinals are the oldest continuously operating team, tracing their origins back to an amateur athletic club formed in 1898.
Are the Green Bay Packers older than the NFL?
Yes. The Packers were founded in August 1919, two years before they officially entered the league structure in 1921.
Why did so many early NFL teams change cities?
Early professional football was not yet a lucrative national entertainment product. Teams frequently relocated across the Midwest and East Coast in search of stable ticket sales, larger local fan bases, and reliable stadium leases.
Do pre-merger championships count toward team history?
Yes. Championships won prior to the creation of the Super Bowl in the late 1960s are officially recognized by the league and recorded in franchise histories.
