Brett Favre, the all-time leader in consecutive starts by an NFL player.

This is a list of the most consecutive starts and games played by a player by position in the National Football League (NFL).[1][2]

Quarterback Brett Favre's streak of 297 consecutive games started is the longest all-time.[3][4] Among defensive players, Jim Marshall's 270 is the longest.[3] Of special note is punter Jeff Feagles, who played in 352 consecutive games which is the longest of all-time for a special teams player.[5] Special teams players are not credited with starts in the NFL.[1][6] In 2018, Ryan Kerrigan became the most recent player to surpass someone at his position for consecutive starts, having broken the previous mark for left outside linebackers previously held by Jason Gildon.[7]

Leaderboards

Bold denotes an active streak

Consecutive games started

All-time starts

Philip Rivers, the most recent player to achieve 200 consecutive starts by an NFL player.

Minimum 200 consecutive regular season starts[1][2][8]

Rank Player Pos Period Teams Consecutive starts Playoffs Total References
1 Brett Favre QB September 27, 1992 – May 12, 2010 GB/NYJ/MIN 297 24 321 [9][10]
2 Jim Marshall DE September 17, 1961 – December 16, 1979 MIN 270 19 289 [11][12]
3 Bill Romanowski LB April 9, 1988 – September 22, 2003 SF/PHI/DEN/OAK 243 28 271
4T Mick Tingelhoff C September 16, 1962 – December 17, 1978 MIN 240 19 259 [13][14]
Philip Rivers QB November 9, 2006 – March 1, 2021 SD/LAC/IND 240 12 252 [15][16][17]
5 Bruce Matthews G November 29, 1987 – June 1, 2002 OIL/TEN 229 15 244 [18][19]
6 Will Shields RG December 9, 1993 – December 31, 2006 KC 223 8 231 [20][21]
7T Alan Page DT August 10, 1967 – December 20, 1981 MIN/CHI 215 19 234 [22][23]
Ronde Barber CB November 21, 1999 – December 30, 2012 TB 215 9 224 [24][25]
London Fletcher LB December 11, 2000 – December 29, 2013 SLR/BUF/WAS 215 6 221 [26][27]
10T Jim Otto C November 9, 1960 – December 14, 1974 OAK 210 13 223 [28][29]
Eli Manning QB November 24, 2004 – November 23, 2017 NYG 210 12 222 [30][31]
12T Derrick Brooks LB January 9, 1996 – December 28, 2008 TB 208 11 219 [32][33]
Peyton Manning QB June 9, 1998 – February 1, 2011 IND 208 19 227 [34][35]
14 Gene Upshaw LG October 9, 1967 – April 10, 1981 OAK 207 24 231 [36][37]
15 Randall McDaniel LG October 22, 1989 – June 1, 2002 MIN/TB 202 16 218 [38][39]

Active leaders

Minimum 100 consecutive regular season starts[40]

Player Pos Teams Reg. season starts References
Jake Matthews OT ATL 161 [41]

Consecutive games played

All-time games played

Top 25 players for consecutive regular season games played[1][42][43]

Rank Player Pos Period Teams Consecutive games Playoffs Total References
1 Jeff Feagles P April 9, 1988 – March 1, 2010 NE/PHI/ARI/SEA/NYG 352 11 363 [6][44]
2 Brett Favre QB September 13, 1992 – May 12, 2010 ATL/GB/NYJ/MIN 299 24 323 [10][45][46]
3 Jim Marshall DE September 25, 1960 – December 16, 1979 CLE/MIN 282 19 301 [11][47]
4 Mason Crosby K September 9, 2007 – January 8, 2023 GB 258 23 281 [48][49]
5 London Fletcher LB June 9, 1998 – December 29, 2013 SLR/BUF/WAS 256 9 265 [26][27]
6 Shane Lechler P September 29, 2002 – December 31, 2017 OAK/HOU 254 10 264 [50][51]
7 L. P. Ladouceur LS February 10, 2005 – March 1, 2021 DAL 253 9 262 [52][53]
8 Morten Andersen K October 25, 1987 – December 15, 2002 NO/ATL/NYG/KC 248 8 256 [54][49]
9 Chris Gardocki P November 28, 1991 – December 31, 2006 CHI/IND/CLE/PIT 244 14 258 [55][56]
10 Bill Romanowski LB April 9, 1988 – September 22, 2003 SF/PHI/DEN/OAK 243 28 271 [57][58]
11 Philip Rivers QB December 31, 2005 – March 1, 2021 SD/LAC/IND 241 12 253 [15][16]
12T Mick Tingelhoff C September 16, 1962 – December 17, 1978 MIN 240 19 259 [13][14]
Ryan Longwell K January 9, 1997 – January 1, 2012 GB/MIN 240 13 253 [59][60]
Ronde Barber DB June 9, 1998 – December 30, 2012 TB 240 9 249 [24][25]
15 Sam Koch P October 9, 2006 – December 27, 2020 BAL 239 18 257 [61][62][63]
16 Jason Witten TE October 19, 2003 – December 31, 2017 DAL 235 8 243 [64][65]
17T Jim Bakken K November 25, 1962 – December 17, 1978 SLC 234 2 236 [66][67]
Gary Anderson K October 25, 1987 – July 1, 2002 PIT/PHI/SF/MIN/TEN 234 17 251 [68][69]
19 Bruce Matthews OL November 29, 1987 – June 1, 2002 OIL/TEN 232 15 247 [18][70]
20 Jim Turner K December 9, 1964 – December 17, 1979 NYJ/DEN 228 8 236 [71][72]
21T George Blanda K/QB November 9, 1960 – December 21, 1975 OIL/OAK 224 18 242 [73][74]
John Hadl QB/P July 9, 1962 – December 18, 1977 SD/LAR/GB/OIL 224 4 228 [75][76]
Dan Stryzinski P September 9, 1990 – December 28, 2003 PIT/TB/ATL/KC/NYJ 224 4 228 [77][78]
Will Shields RG May 9, 1993 – December 31, 2006 KC 224 8 232 [20][79]
Derrick Brooks LB March 9, 1995 – December 28, 2008 TB 224 11 235 [32][80]
Kevin Carter DE/DT March 9, 1995 – December 28, 2008 SLR/TEN/MIA/TB 224 9 233 [81][82]
Ethan Albright LS January 9, 1996 – March 1, 2010 BUF/WAS 224 6 230 [83][84]
John Denney LS November 9, 2005 – December 30, 2018 MIA 224 2 226 [85][86]

Consecutive starts by position

Offensive skilled

Jason Witten, the all-time leader in consecutive starts by an NFL tight end.
Position Player Period Teams Consecutive starts Playoffs Total References
Quarterback Brett Favre September 27, 1992 – May 12, 2010 GB/NYJ/MIN 297 24 321 [10][9]
Tight end Jason Witten December 16, 2006 – December 31, 2017 DAL 179 7 186 [64][65]
Wide receiver Tim Brown December 14, 1992 – July 12, 2003 RAI/OAK 176 9 185 [87][88]
Running back Walter Payton July 12, 1975 – September 20, 1987 CHI 170 8 178 [89][90]
Fullback Jim Brown September 29, 1957 – December 19, 1965 CLE 118 4 122 [91][92]

Offensive linemen

Doug Dieken, the all-time leader in consecutive starts by an NFL offensive left tackle.
Position Player Period Teams Consecutive starts Playoffs Total References
Center Mick Tingelhoff September 16, 1962 – December 17, 1978 MIN 240 19 259 [13][14]
Right guard Will Shields December 9, 1993 – December 31, 2006 KC 223 8 231 [20][21]
Left guard Gene Upshaw October 9, 1967 – April 10, 1981 OAK 207 24 231 [36][37]
Left tackle Doug Dieken November 21, 1971 – December 16, 1984 CLE 194 4 198 [91][93]
Right tackle Jon Runyan August 31, 1997 – December 28, 2008 TEN/PHI 192 21 213 [94][95]

Defensive linemen

Jim Marshall, the all-time leader in consecutive starts by an NFL defensive end.
Position Player Period Teams Consecutive starts Playoffs Total References
Defensive end Jim Marshall September 17, 1961 – December 16, 1979 MIN 270 19 289 [11][12][96]
Defensive tackle Alan Page August 10, 1967 – December 20, 1981 MIN/CHI 215 19 234 [22][23]
Nose tackle Fred Smerlas July 9, 1980 – September 20, 1987 BUF 107 3 110 [97][98]

Linebackers

Derrick Brooks, the all-time leader in consecutive starts by an NFL weakside linebacker.
Position Player Period Teams Consecutive starts Playoffs Total References
Linebacker London Fletcher June 9, 1998 – December 29, 2013 SLR/BUF/WAS 256 9 265
Linebacker Bill Romanowski April 9, 1988 – September 22, 2003 SF/PHI/DEN/OAK 243 28 271
Outside linebacker Derrick Brooks January 9, 1996 – December 28, 2008 TB 224 11 235
Linebacker London Fletcher December 11, 2000 – December 29, 2013 SLR/BUF/WAS 215 6 221 [26][27]
Middle linebacker Lee Roy Jordan September 18, 1966 – December 12, 1976 DAL 154 19 173 [99][100]

Defensive backs

Ronde Barber, the all-time leader in consecutive starts by an NFL defensive back.
Position Player Period Teams Consecutive starts Playoffs Total References
Defensive back Ronde Barber November 21, 1999 – December 30, 2012 TB 215 9 224 [24][25]
Cornerback Ronde Barber November 21, 1999 – September 9, 2012 TB 200 9 209 [24][101]
Safety Willie Wood September 17, 1961 – December 19, 1971 GB 154 9 163 [102][103][104]
Strong safety Bill Thompson September 16, 1973 – December 20, 1981 DEN 134 5 139 [105][106]
Free safety Darryl Williams November 10, 1992 – December 27, 1998 CIN/SEA 108 0 108 [107][108]

Special teams

Mason Crosby, the all-time leader in consecutive games played by an NFL kicker.
Position Player Period Teams Consecutive games Playoffs Total References
Punter Jeff Feagles April 9, 1988 – March 1, 2010 NE/PHI/ARI/SEA/NYG 352 11 363 [6][44]
Kicker Mason Crosby September 9, 2007 – January 8, 2023 GB 258 23 281 [48][49]
Long snapper L. P. Ladouceur February 10, 2005 – March 1, 2021 DAL 253 9 262 [52][53]
Kick/Punt returner Carl Roaches July 9, 1980 – December 16, 1984 OIL 73 1 74 [109][110]

Note: Games played by special teams players such as kickers and punters are not recognized officially as starts by the NFL.[1][6][54]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Seifert, Kevin (October 28, 2010). "ESPN.com: Double Coverage: Favre vs. Ripken". Espn.go.com. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Packers.com: Iron-Man Favre To Make 200th Consecutive Start As Packers-Rams Clash On Monday Night Football". nfl.packers.com. November 24, 2004. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Vikings QB Favre 'grateful' after his NFL-record 271st start in a row". NFL.com. Retrieved September 21, 2009.
  4. ^ "Favre's consecutive start streak comes to an end at 297". NFL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  5. ^ "Feagles feat recognized". Profootballhof.com. November 27, 2005. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d "Jeff Feagles - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  7. ^ Jason Gildon Stats
  8. ^ "NFL Iron Man Brett Favre finally sits one out". Statesman.com. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  9. ^ a b "Brett Favre set for tests with streak over". ESPN.com. December 13, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  10. ^ a b c "Brett Favre - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  11. ^ a b c "Jim Marshall - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  12. ^ a b "Former Viking Marshall congratulates Favre on iron-man record". NFL.com. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  13. ^ a b c "Mick Tingelhoff - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  14. ^ a b c "No. 51 Mick Tingelhoff". Huskers.com. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  15. ^ a b "Philip Rivers - Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  16. ^ a b Path to 200
  17. ^ Philip Rivers retiring from NFL after 17 seasons
  18. ^ a b "Bruce Matthews - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  19. ^ Weir, Tom (August 3, 2007). "Iron Man Matthews earns his bronze bust in Canton". USA Today. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  20. ^ a b c "Will Shields - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  21. ^ a b "Carl Peterson on Will Shields". KCChiefs.com. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  22. ^ a b "Alan Page - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  23. ^ a b "A Page Out Of NFL History". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  24. ^ a b c d "Ronde Barber - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  25. ^ a b c "Ronde Barber retires after 16 seasons". FoxSports.com. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  26. ^ a b c "London Fletcher - Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
  27. ^ a b c "London Fletcher" (PDF). Washington Redskins Media Guide. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  28. ^ "Jim Otto - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  29. ^ "HOF: JIM OTTO". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  30. ^ "Eli Manning - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  31. ^ "Giants end Eli Manning's 13-year streak, will start Geno Smith". Washington Post. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  32. ^ a b "Derrick Brooks - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  33. ^ "Ex-Buc Derrick Brooks officially retires from NFL". TBO.com. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  34. ^ "Peyton Manning - Game logs". NFL.com. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
  35. ^ "Streak ends: Colts' Manning ruled out Sunday; Collins to start". NFL.com. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
  36. ^ a b "Gene Upshaw - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  37. ^ a b "HOF: GENE UPSHAW". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  38. ^ "Randall McDaniel - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  39. ^ "HOF: RANDALL MCDANIEL". NFL.com. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  40. ^ "NFL Insider: Greenway, Allen rank high among NFL ironmen". Startribune.com. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  41. ^ "Jake Matthews - Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  42. ^ "Fletcher joins NFL's elite 250 club". November 18, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  43. ^ Pedulla, Tom (September 1, 2006). "Feagles' retirement kick ricochets". Usatoday.com. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  44. ^ a b "Giants punter Jeff Feagles retires after 22 seasons and record 352 consecutive games". The Gaea Times. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  45. ^ "Favre's starts streak ends at 297". ESPN.com. December 13, 2010. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  46. ^ Brett Favre Career Highlights HOF
  47. ^ "Giants punter Feagles tops Marshall's record for consecutive games played". Spokesman-Review. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  48. ^ a b "Mason Crosby Career Game Log". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  49. ^ a b c "On the doorstep of history: Packers' Mason Crosby approaching franchise record". Packer Report. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  50. ^ "Shane Lechler - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  51. ^ Shane Lechler Plays in 250th Consecutive Game
  52. ^ a b "L.P. Ladouceur - Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  53. ^ a b "L.P. Ladouceur Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  54. ^ a b "Morten Andersen - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  55. ^ "Chris Gardocki - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  56. ^ "Chris Gardocki Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  57. ^ "Bill Romanowski - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  58. ^ "Q&A with Bill Romanowski". New Orleans Saints History. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  59. ^ "Ryan Longwell - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  60. ^ "Vikings Cut Ryan Longwell; Likely to Start Blair Walsh". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  61. ^ "Sam Koch - Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  62. ^ "Sam Koch Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  63. ^ "Ravens punter Sam Koch not expected to play against Bengals". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  64. ^ a b Jason Witten - Game Logs
  65. ^ a b Jason Witten to Retire
  66. ^ "Jim Bakken - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  67. ^ "NFL Ironmen". SFGate.com. September 8, 1995. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  68. ^ "Gary Anderson - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  69. ^ "Gary Anderson Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  70. ^ "TSHOF:Matthews, Bruce". Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  71. ^ "Jim Turner - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  72. ^ "New York Jets Famous Players: Jim Turner". FootballJets.com. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  73. ^ "George Blanda - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  74. ^ "GEORGE BLANDA Career Highlights". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 4, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  75. ^ "John Hadl - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  76. ^ "NFL Press release about Jim Marshall Day". The Football Search Engine. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  77. ^ "Dan Stryzinski - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  78. ^ "Dan Stryzinski Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  79. ^ "Former Chiefs' star Shields honored". ESPN.com. February 10, 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  80. ^ "Derrick Brooks announces retirement from NFL". TBO.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2012.((cite web)): CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  81. ^ "Kevin Carter - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  82. ^ "Former Gator Kevin Carter Named 2010 SEC Football Legend". Gatorzone.com. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  83. ^ "Ethan Albright - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  84. ^ "Ethan Albright Bio". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  85. ^ "John Denney - Career Stats". NFL.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  86. ^ "Miami Dolphins release long snapper John Denney, DT Vincent Taylor as roster overhaul continues". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  87. ^ "Tim Brown - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  88. ^ "Tim Brown Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  89. ^ "Walter Payton - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  90. ^ "George rejects Titans' latest offer, asks for release". SignOnSanDiego.com. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  91. ^ a b "Joe Thomas will reach 100 consecutive starts on Sunday: Cleveland Browns Insider". Cleveland.com. September 27, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  92. ^ "Jim Brown Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  93. ^ Doug Dieken Statistics
  94. ^ "Jon Runyan - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  95. ^ "Shawn Andrews out; Eagles work out Jon Runyan". Delco Times. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  96. ^ Jim Marshall Statistics
  97. ^ "Fred Smerlas - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  98. ^ "A Wild And Crazy Guy". Sports Illustrated. November 14, 1988. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  99. ^ "Lee Roy Jordan - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  100. ^ "Lee Roy Jordan - Alabama Encyclopedia". Encyclopediaofalabama.org. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  101. ^ "Schiano wins over Buccaneers by paying respect to veteran Barber". Sport Illustrated. September 14, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  102. ^ "Willie Wood - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  103. ^ "HOF: Willie Wood". Pro Football Hall of fame. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  104. ^ "Willie Wood Statistics:Right Safety-Left Safety-Free Safety". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  105. ^ "Bill Thompson - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  106. ^ "Bill Thompson Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  107. ^ "Darryl Williams - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  108. ^ "Darryl Williams Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  109. ^ "Carl Roaches - Game Logs". NFL.com. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  110. ^ "Carl Roaches Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
Category