Introduction to Every NFL Team Ever
This reference covers all NFL teams ever, focusing on franchises that competed in the modern National Football League (1970–present), foundational predecessors, short-lived experiments, and defunct or relocated franchises. It clarifies which teams remain active, which ceased operations, and which moved and rebranded, using reliable historical records and verified dates. Think of this as a durable directory and explanatory timeline rather than a score-driven recap. The goal is high-information clarity for fans, researchers, and content builders seeking an enduring factual baseline.
Active NFL Franchises (2024 Season)
As of the 2024 season, 32 clubs compete in the NFL, evenly split between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). Each franchise has a primary market and home stadium, with histories that can include earlier predecessors, temporary suspensions, and relocations. Below is a current, alphabetically organized overview with cities, home venues, and first season in the modern NFL.
| Team | City | Home Stadium | First Season (Modern NFL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | Glendale, AZ | State Farm Stadium | 1988 (as Phoenix Cardinals) |
| Atlanta Falcons | Atlanta, GA | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 1966 |
| Baltimore Ravens | Baltimore, MD | M&T Bank Stadium | 1996 |
| Buffalo Bills | Orchard Park, NY | Highmark Stadium | 1960 |
| Carolina Panthers | Charlotte, NC | 1995 | |
| Chicago Bears | Chicago, IL | Soldier Field | 1920 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland, OH | Paycor Stadium | 1968 |
| Cleveland Browns | Cleveland, OH | FirstEnergy Stadium | 1999 |
| Dallas Cowboys | Arlington, TX | AT&T Stadium | 1960 |
| Denver Broncos | Englewood, CO | Empower Field at Mile High | 1960 |
| Detroit Lions | Detroit, MI | Ford Field | 1934 |
| Green Bay Packers | Green Bay, WI | Lambeau Field | 1921 |
| Houston Texans | Houston, TX | NRG Stadium | 2002 |
| Indianapolis Colts | Indianapolis, IN | Lucas Oil Stadium | 1953 (as Baltimore Colts) |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Jacksonville, FL | TIAA Bank Field | 1995 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Kansas City, MO | Arrowhead Stadium | 1960 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Paradise, NV | Allegiant Stadium | 1960 (as Kansas City Chiefs) |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Inglewood, CA | SoFi Stadium | 1960 (as Los Angeles/San Diego) |
| Los Angeles Rams | Inglewood, CA | SoFi Stadium | 1937 (as Cleveland Rams) |
| Miami Dolphins | Miami Gardens, FL | Hard Rock Stadium | 1966 |
| Minnesota Vikings | Minneapolis, MN | U.S. Bank Stadium | 1961 |
| New England Patriots | Foxborough, MA | Gillette Stadium | 1960 (as Boston Patriots) |
| New Orleans Saints | New Orleans, LA | Caesars Superdome | 1967 |
| New York Giants | East Rutherford, NJ | MetLife Stadium | 1925 |
| New York Jets | East Rutherford, NJ | MetLife Stadium | 1960 (as Titans) |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Philadelphia, PA | Lincoln Financial Field | 1933 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Pittsburgh, PA | Acrisure Stadium | 1933 |
| San Francisco 49ers | Santa Clara, CA | Levi’s Stadium | 1946 |
| Seattle Seahawks | Seattle, WA | Lumen Field | 1976 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa, FL | Raymond James Stadium | 1976 |
| Tennessee Titans | Nashville, TN | 1960 (as Houston Oilers) | |
| Washington Commanders | Landover, MD | Commanders Field | 1932 (as Boston Braves) |
Defunct and Folded NFL Teams
Several franchises that once played in the NFL no longer exist as independent clubs. Some were dissolved due to league mergers, wartime shortages, or financial failure. This list includes teams that competed in the early decades of professional football and, in some cases, contributed players or legacy to modern clubs.
| Team | Years in NFL | Fate/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Braves | 1932 | Became Washington Redskins |
| Brooklyn Dodgers | 1930–1945 | Folded during WWII |
| Chicago Cardinals | 1920–1959 | Moved to St. Louis, then Arizona; lineage continues in Cardinals |
| Cleveland Rams | 1937–1945 | Suspended operations for WWII; moved to Los Angeles post-war |
| Dayton Triangles | 1920–1929 | Last active original franchise to cease; players dispersed in 1930 dispersal draft |
| Pottsville Maroons | 1920–1928 | Suspension amid controversy; never returned |
| St. Louis All-Stars | 1923 | Single-season franchise |
| Tonawanda Kardex | 1921 | Single-game existence; folded after one contest |
Relocated and Rebranded Teams
Many modern franchises trace their ancestry to earlier cities and names. When teams move, they often carry historical records forward, but their market, roster, and stadium change. Below are notable examples of relocation and rebranding relevant to tracing all NFL teams ever.
- Baltimore Colts (1953–1983) → Indianapolis Colts (1984–present)
- St. Louis Cardinals (1960–1987) → Arizona Cardinals (1988–present)
- Los Angeles Rams: St. Louis (1995–2015) → Los Angeles (2016–present)
- Los Angeles Chargers: Los Angeles (1960) → San Diego (1961–2016) → Los Angeles (2017–present)
- Oakland Raiders: Oakland (1960–1981) → Los Angeles (1982–1994) → Oakland (1995–2019) → Las Vegas (2020–present)
- Washington Commanders: Boston Braves (1932) → Boston Redskins (1933–1936) → Washington (1937–2021) → Commanders (2022–present)
Short-Lived Leagues and Experiments
Various leagues have attempted to compete with or mirror the NFL, producing teams that existed only briefly. The most relevant to “all NFL teams ever” are entries that overlapped with NFL eras or directly merged. Other circuits, such as the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the original XFL, are noted for context but are not counted as part of the NFL itself.
| League/Season | Not Teams, but Context | Relevance to NFL History |
|---|---|---|
| AAFC (1946–1949) | Teams like Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Colts merged into NFL | Three AAFC franchises joined the NFL in 1950; lineage carries forward |
| 1926 NFL (first attempt at league-wide schedule) | Many early independent teams and short-lived circuits | Early instability; several teams played partial or single seasons |
Key Definitions and Context
When discussing all NFL teams ever, it is useful to distinguish between distinct concepts: active franchises, predecessor franchises, defunct clubs, and league experiments. For clarity:
- Active franchise: A club currently playing in the NFL (32 as of 2024).
- Predecessor franchise: A club whose personnel, records, or staff were absorbed into a modern team, such as the Cleveland Rams or Dayton Triangles.
- Defunct team: A club that ceased operations and whose lineage did not continue to an active franchise.
- Relocated/Rebranded: A club that moved cities or changed names but maintains its historical record.
Historical Milestones and Records
Tracking all NFL teams ever involves noting key inflection points when franchises entered, left, or reappeared. The table below highlights selected milestones that are widely documented and unlikely to change.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | APFA formed; 14 teams debut | Foundational season of organized professional football |
| 1960 | AFL launches; NFL adds Minneapolis, Dallas, etc. | Expansion era that increased national footprint |
| 1970 | AFL–NFL merger; 26 teams form modern NFL | Unified league with common schedule and championship |
| 1995–1996 | Multiple expansion teams added (e.g., Carolina, Jacksonville, Houston) | Modern era of 30+ clubs begins |
| 1996 | Baltimore Colts relocated to Indianapolis | Notable franchise move affecting fanbases and records |
| 2017 | Los Angeles Rams and Chargers return to Los Angeles | End of 21-season hiatus for major-market West Coast teams |
How to Use This Reference
Use this list when researching franchise history, comparing eras, or clarifying which teams existed in specific periods. For genealogical questions—such as whether a modern club inherits records from a defunct predecessor—check the notes on lineage above. This reference intentionally avoids annual roster details, game results, or speculative commentary; it focuses on durable structural facts about the league’s organization.
Conclusion
All NFL teams ever can be grouped into active franchises, defunct clubs, relocated names, and short-lived entries. This reference prioritizes clarity, verified dates, and lineage so that readers can reliably identify which organizations competed in the NFL and how their histories connect. For ongoing updates as records evolve, consult the official league archives and reputable historical databases.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many NFL teams have existed overall?
The number depends on whether you count only active franchises, active plus defunct independent clubs, or include short-lived experiment teams. The 32 modern clubs, combined with historically distinct defunct franchises (such as Dayton Triangles or Pottsville Maroons), yields a total well above 32. Exact counts vary based on how one defines a “team” (single-season entries vs. sustained franchises).
Are AAFC teams part of the NFL?
AAFC teams are not counted as “NFL teams” in the league’s official totals, but three AAFC franchises—the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Colts—joined the NFL in 1950 and carry their records forward.
What counts as a franchise’s first season?
For relocated or rebranded teams, the modern franchise often recognizes its earliest predecessor in a continuous lineage (e.g., 1933 for Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers, 1960 for Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants).