These NFL Players Stuck With One Team Longer Than Anyone Else
Some players spend their entire NFL career with one franchise. These gridiron legends became the face of their teams, who stuck around through thick and thin. The players discussed in this article represent both durability and devotion.
Lou Groza – Cleveland Browns (21 seasons, Kicker/Tackle)
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Lou Groza, famously known as “The Toe,” spent 21 seasons with Cleveland while racking up an NFL-record 1,608 points, 4 NFL titles (1950, 1954, 1955, 1964), and 4 AAFC championships. He starred both as an offensive tackle and a placekicker. His legacy lives on through the prestigious Lou Groza Award presented to top college kickers.
Jackie Slater – Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (20 seasons, Right Tackle)
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Jackie Slater was the embodiment of line play. He blocked for 24 quarterbacks and guarded prolific backfields from 1976 to 1995. In terms of accomplishments, he earned seven Pro Bowls, won four NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year honors, and anchored the line in Super Bowl XIV. Jackie was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001, and his No. 78 jersey is now retired by the Rams.
Darrell Green – Washington Commanders (20 seasons, Cornerback)
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This Hall of Fame inductee remains known as “The Ageless Wonder.” After joining Washington in 1983, he helped secure two Super Bowl wins (XXII, XXVI), earned seven Pro Bowls, and snagged 54 career interceptions—the most ever for the franchise. In 2024, his No. 28 was retired.
Bruce Matthews – Oilers/Titans (19 seasons, Offensive Line)
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Bruce Matthews was the anchor of Houston’s O-line from 1983 to 2001. He never missed a game and made 296 starts. His versatility was rare, since he played every position across the line and earned 14 Pro Bowl nods plus nine First-team All-Pro honors.
Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers (18 seasons, Quarterback)
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After being drafted 11th overall in 2004, Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles and over 64,000 passing yards before retiring in 2021. His rookie campaign ended with a 15–1 record, a feat unmatched by any first-year QB. He was the face of Pittsburgh’s offense for nearly two decades.
Jeff Van Note – Atlanta Falcons (18 seasons, Center)
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Although he was originally drafted as a linebacker in 1969, Jeff Van Note switched to center and never looked back. He became a cornerstone of Atlanta’s offensive line and played 246 games with the team. His tenure from 1969 to 1986 spanned multiple eras, and Atlanta inducted him into their Ring of Honor in 2006.
Julius Adams – New England Patriots (17 seasons, Defensive Tackle)
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Julius Adams carved out a commanding career from 1971 to 1987. He held the Patriots’ record for most seasons played until Tom Brady surpassed it. He was also part of New England’s first Super Bowl team in 1985. His son, Keith Adams, followed him into the NFL by playing linebacker in the 2000s.
Larry Fitzgerald – Arizona Cardinals (17 Seasons, Wide Receiver)
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Larry Fitzgerald’s career became legendary through route precision, unwavering hands, and leadership. He was a first-round pick in 2004 and guided Arizona to Super Bowl XLIII. His streak of 211 consecutive games with a catch became a franchise record. Off the field, Larry has become a minority owner of the Phoenix Suns.
Don Muhlbach – Detroit Lions (17 Seasons, Long Snapper)
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Despite going undrafted in 2004, Muhlbach earned a spot on the Detroit Lions roster through training camp and preseason performance. He played in 260 games, the second most in franchise history, and earned two Pro Bowl nods in 2012 and 2018. After his final season in 2020, he transitioned into a leadership role with the Lions front office.
Ray Lewis – Baltimore Ravens (17 Seasons, Middle Linebacker)
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Ray Lewis’s ferocity defined a dominant era in Baltimore. This centerpiece of the 2000 defense earned Super Bowl MVP honors and the franchise’s first title by becoming a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He truly anchored the Ravens for nearly two decades. After retiring following Super Bowl XLVII, Ray launched a foundation and remains a candidate for college head coaching.
Sam Koch – Baltimore Ravens (16 Seasons, Punter)
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Sam Koch rewrote the punting playbook with his varied kicks and pinpoint accuracy. He was a sixth-round draft pick who became the face of special teams in Baltimore. Sam only missed one game between 2006 and 2020. The Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII title in 2012 would not have been possible without him.
Antonio Gates – San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (16 Seasons, Tight End)
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Antonio Gates was one of the greatest undrafted signings ever, who caught 955 passes, 116 touchdowns, and topped 11,800 yards in his 16 seasons with the Chargers. He redefined tight-end production, and in 2025, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Elvin Bethea – Houston Oilers (16 Seasons, Defensive End)
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Once he stepped into the Oilers as a 1968 third-round pick out of North Carolina A&T, Elvin Bethea transformed into one of the league’s fiercest pass rushers. He tallied an unofficial 105 sacks, earned eight Pro Bowl nods, and retired as Houston’s all-time leader in sacks and games played.
Monte Coleman – Washington Redskins (16 Seasons, Outside Linebacker)
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Late-round pick Monte Coleman defied expectations when he became a fixture for Washington from 1979 to 1994. He led his team to three Super Bowl wins. He also ranks fourth in franchise sacks and sits in the team’s Ring of Fame. After football, he transitioned into coaching at Arkansas.
Bill Bates – Dallas Cowboys (15 Seasons, Safety & Special Teams)
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Bill Bates, an undrafted free agent in 1983, earned fame as Dallas’s “special teams demon” before becoming a key safety. He earned a Pro Bowl nod in 1984 and helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls. His tackle-filled hits earned him the “Real Kill” nickname from Tom Landry. After retiring in 1997, he moved into coaching and launched a tailgate business.
Walter Payton – Chicago Bears (13 Seasons, Running Back)
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Peyton, AKA “Sweetness,” electrified the NFL BY rushing for 16,726 yards and earning 110 touchdowns with the Bears between 1975 and 1987. He only missed one game as a rookie and helped Chicago win Super Bowl XX. He remains a legend through the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and his Hall of Fame induction in 1993.