What's considered old in the NFL?

[Greenhell]

Looking like we're having a possible youth movement to the team but many are saying player "x" is too old to even be resigned or added to the team. So what is the definition of "old" in the NFL? And is old relative to certain positions? Is a 31 year old Center considered old compared to a 31 year old linebacker?

 

[AROS]

It's most definitely related to position. Traditionally a running back is considered "old" once he hits 30. Same for a lot of positions. But some positions can get away with being older like a lineman for instance. Quarterbacks are redefining acceptable age...It's no longer uncommon to see quarterbacks in their late 30's and even early 40's now. It's very relative of course but I believe the general thought is once you turn 30 you are on the downhill slope.

 

[mrblitz]

a lot of players have only 1 or 2 great seasons, and then it's time to move on. qb position is a big exception, and agreed that o-linemen can last a longer time. but d-line and even moreso linebackers... generally wear out quickly. corners can move to free safety for an extra season or two. but basically, you generally don't want to pay players for what they have done, because they're probably not going to do it again after that. just my opinion. don't get attached, focus on the team and not the individual players. be a fan of the qb and that's about it...

 

[BamKam]

For most positions 30 because that is when natural male testosterone starts to take a bit of a steeper dive. A lot depends on genetics and how well players take care of themselves in the off season. Look at James Harrison, that guy has been able to play for so long because he spends about 400K on his body a year taking care of it via recovery methods and eating properly.

 

[Coug_Hawk08]

I think you also have to consider NFL years. Players like Earl Thomas come in very young, so his 3rd contract falls before 30. However considering playoffs too — that body has been through a lot, he and others like him are ‘old’ in that way.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

There's no exact age.

Some players have been mentally and physically toast by their mid to late 20's, and then there's Brady, and guys who can stay physically and mentally able to still play at a high level well into their late 30's, and even 40's.

 

[Str8OuttaSkittles]

julius peppers still a threat at 38 think he had like 11.5 sacks this year

 

[IndyHawk]

It's genetics,desire and injury history all factored together..
It's a fact that the body can only take so much ..
Some players much more than others..Look at some of the young Santa Clara players
who quit after a short time in the NFL..

 

[Greenhell]

There's no exact age.

Some players have been mentally and physically toast by their mid to late 20's, and then there's Brady, and guys who can stay physically and mentally able to still play at a high level well into their late 30's, and even 40's.

That's my thinkingi as well but there are others saying 31, 32 is far too old to even want a player on the team. Glad the pros are running that organization and not the fans.

 

[pmedic920]

Too many variables to set precedent.

Position and Individual being the two biggest.

 

[Fade]

Super Generic Ages Per Position for Expected Decline.

QB - 38
HB - 30
FB - 32
WR - 35
TE - 35
OL - 35

DT - 34
43DE/34OB - 33
43 OB - 30
43/34 IB - 32
CB - 30
Safety - 34

Of course exceptions can always be found.

Outside of QB, 30 in general is a big deal, the antennas go up for all personel people scouting these players especially when it comes to handing out big money.

 

[adeltaY]

Also we have Terrance Newman, Talib, Brent Grimes, Peanut Tillman, among others who are or were elite into their early and mid thirties. Woodson too. 30 is not a death sentence for all.

 

[semiahmoo]

Around 30 minus the QB position.

RB can be old after just a few hard seasons. Those guys take a tremendous amount of damage.

If a RB is still performing at a top level after 30 they are certainly the exception.

 

[KiwiHawk]

What is considered old for a tyre? If you drive only on Sundays they last years. If you do boy-racer burnouts all over, then they might last a month.

Same with players. Kam Chancellor was always going to have a relatively short career because of the laws of thermodynamics - every big hit he gave hit him back just as hard.

Brady takes very little abuse. He can play into his 40s because he hasn't done hard miles. Vinatieri may be playing forever.

When a player starts to break down year-on-year, it's time to consider moving on.

Age is not the reason players stop performing at their peak. Health is. Health is sort of a function of age, but more a function of how long you've been doing it and how hard the miles are.

 

[chris98251]

Our players have ran the Indy 750 almost every year while most the rest of the league does the Indy 500, those extra miles on the whole team mentally and physically has broke them down faster, 30 years old is 32 or 33 on this team, injuries happen because of one accidents, body not able to rejuvenate from rest and relaxing and fatigue, and then there is just plain abuse, we have most of those on our defense or had, why that turnover is happening, why Lynch is gone and others. Salary is the other big measuring stick, put them both together and it's much easier to see where we are trending.