'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
When NFL players are drafted, they anticipate playing for the same team, in the same city, their entire career. In the modern-day NFL, it is very rare for players to retire from the same team that they were drafted by.
There are a few active NFL players who have played for only one team. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald are two such examples. Both players are approaching the end of their careers but remain key for their respective teams.
Ten famous one-team NFL greats
There are a few all-time great players who spent their entire careers playing for the same NFL team. Although some teams may have moved cities, these players stayed in the same organization.
Trending
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
Without further ado, let's take a look at ten NFL players who always played for the same team.
#1 Bart Starr, QB, Green Bay Packers
NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 17th round (200th overall) of the 1956 NFL Draft. He signed for just $6,500. Starr started his career as a backup quarterback before making his first start during the 1959 season.
Starr and the Packers won the 1962 NFL Championship. He won the NFL Championship five times with the Packers and won two Super Bowls as well. Starr played for the Green Bay Packers for 16 seasons before retiring in 1971.
On retirement, Starr didn't leave Green Bay and became the Packers' quarterback coach. Within a few seasons, he became the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, a position he held for nine seasons.
#2 Dan Marino, QB, Miami Dolphins
Quarterback Dan Marino spent 17 seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He was drafted out of the University of Pittsburgh with the 27th pick in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft.
In his 17 seasons with the Dolphins, Marino received many accolades, but not the one he wanted most. Marino has the most career wins (155) as a starting quarterback without ever winning a Super Bowl. The Dolphins made the NFL playoffs in ten out of Marino's 17 seasons with them. Marino made one Super Bowl appearance in 1985, but Miami lost to the San Francisco 49ers 16-38.
When Marino decided to retire, he turned down offers to play for other NFL teams because he only wanted to play for the Dolphins.
#3 Dan Fouts, QB, San Diego Chargers
Dan Fouts was drafted by the San Diego Chargers with the 64th overall selection in the 1973 NFL Draft. His career with the Chargers lasted 15 seasons, and he racked up many accolades along the way.
A six-time NFL ProBowl selection, Fouts was the first NFL player to reach 4,000 passing yards in three straight seasons. He led the NFL in passing yards for four consecutive campaigns as well. The Chargers never made a trip to the Super Bowl with Fouts as quarterback, although they could make it to the AFC Championship game twice.
#4 Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers (then called Los Angeles Chargers)
Not only did Antonio Gates play for the Chargers his entire NFL career, but he also is ranked as one of the best tight ends in the league's history. With the franchise, he also made the move from San Diego to Los Angeles. Gates was an undrafted free agent because he played college basketball and not football.
He went from a third-string tight end on the depth chart to a starter in his rookie NFL campaign in 2003. Gates went on to break several records in his 15-year NFL career. Gates also ended his NFL career with the most touchdowns (116) by a tight end.
The eight-time pro-bowler and three-time All-Pro retired from the NFL in 2018. He isn't Hall of Fame eligible yet, but he is projected to be a first ballot Hall of Famer.
#5 Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens
A good reason why Ray Lewis only played for the Baltimore Ravens may be because he essentially helped build the franchise. Drafted in the 1996 NFL Draft with the 26th overall selection, Lewis was the second-ever selection for the Ravens as they were building their first roster for their inaugural season.
Lewis made the Pro Bowl an impressive 13 times and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018, his first ballot.
#6 Michael Strahan, DE, New York Giants
Michael Strahan was a staple in the New York Giants' defense for 15 seasons. In 2001 he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year after his record-setting 22.5 sacks that season, making him the leading single sack leader in history.
The 2006 NFL season turned out to be the icing on the cake in Strahan's storied career, as the New York Giants defeated Tom Brady and the undefeated New England Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII.
#7 John Elway, QB, Denver Broncos
John Elway spent 16 seasons with the Denver Broncos after being drafted out of Stanford.
Elway was a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Broncos, ending his career with 148 wins. He was named Super Bowl MVP as well as the 1986 NFL Most Valuable Player.
After retiring, Elway was named the Executive of Football Operations with the Denver Broncos, with whom he won another Super Bowl title.
#8 Lou Groza, K/OT, Cleveland Browns
Lou Groza played for the Cleveland Browns for 21 seasons, doing so from 1946 to 1967 as a kicker and offensive tackle. That's not something that is seen in the modern-day NFL.
Groza led the NFL in field goals in five different seasons. His impressive kicking set the standard for NFL kickers today. His name is even on an award for the best college kicker, the 'Lou Groza' trophy.
#9 Troy Brown, WR, New England Patriots
Troy Brown won three Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots during his 15-season NFL career.
In his rookie campaign, Brown was cut by head coach Bill Parcells before he was re-signed a few months later. He retired in 2008 as the all-time leader in receptions in New England Patriots' history.
#10 Bruce Matthews, OL, Houston Oilers (now called Tennessee Titans)
Not only did Bruce Matthews spend his entire NFL career with the same franchise, but he also was a versatile offensive lineman.
Matthews played right and left guard, tackle and center, his versatility making him an asset to his team. He didn't win the Super Bowl, but he was a 14-time ProBowler and was named to the 2007 Pro Football Hall of Fame.
