Football is an extremely physical sport. Fully grown adults are launching their bodies into each other at full force, and even while wearing pads, it is rare for players to continue to suit up after the age of 35.
Still, there are players who defy the odds and play into their late 30s and even their early 40s. When it happens with quarterbacks, this creates unique matchups that people tune into. Usually, if the QB lasts in the league that long, they are considered some all-time greats, either with Hall of Fame aspirations, or maybe just legends for the franchises they played for.
A first-ever matchup between elder statesmen Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco is on the horizon for Thursday Night Football this week, but where does it rank?
Here is a look at the oldest quarterback matchups in NFL history.
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1. Drew Brees-Tom Brady: 85 years, 172 days (Jan. 17, 2021)
- Jan. 17, 2021: Drew Brees-Tom Brady, 85 years, 172 days
- Nov. 8, 2020: Drew Brees-Tom Brady, 85 years, 30 days
- Sept. 13, 2020: Drew Brees-Tom Brady, 84 years, 243 days
If we truly wanted to be as accurate as possible with this listing, Drew Brees and Tom Brady would have the top three spots. The duo didn't face off very often when Brady played for the New England Patriots as they were in a different conference than Brees and the New Orleans Saints.
When Brady joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however, he and Brees all of a sudden became division rivals. Each of Brady and Brees' would-be entries on this list would be from the 2020 season. They met three times that year, two because they played in the same division, and then in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Brady lost both games to Brees during the regular season, but he won when it counted and helped gives the Saints Future Hall of Fame quarterback the final loss of his esteemed career.
In the record-setting game for oldest quarterbacks, Brady threw for 199 yards with two touchdowns and carried the ball five times for another two yards and a touchdown in the 30-20 victory. Brees struggled against the Tampa Bay defense, throwing for only 134 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in the loss.
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2. Aaron Rodgers-Joe Flacco: 84 years, 226 days (Oct. 16, 2025)
Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco are both known for long careers with one franchise. Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers had their falling out ahead of the 2023 season, and he is now on his second team since leaving Green Bay. Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens parted ways after 11 years, but the veteran quarterback is on his sixth team in the last seven years.
The two will finally face off for the first time in their careers in Week 7 of the 2025 season on Thursday Night football.
MORE: Joe Flacco teams timeline, from 11 years with Ravens to latest stop with Bengals
3. Brett Favre-Vinny Testaverde: 82 years, 44 days (Nov. 18, 2007)
Brett Favre and Vinny Testaverde met in November 2007. Favre and the Green Bay Packers hosted Testaverde and the Carolina Panthers. Green Bay emerged victorious 31-17. Favre was 22-for-30 for 218 yards and three touchdowns. Testaverde had 258 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had two carries for 19 yards.
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4. Vinny Testaverde-Kurt Warner: 80 years, 84 days (Oct. 14, 2007)
Vinny Testaverde made history earlier in 2007, when Carolina took on Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner. The Panthers were on the road and only kicked a single field goal in each of the first three quarters. Down 10-9, Carolina scored 16 unanswered fourth quarter points to earn the 25-10 win.
Testaverde had 206 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Warner got the start but fumbled on the first drive and was knocked out the rest of the game with an injury. He finished 2-for-2 for 21 yards with a fumble lost.
MORE: Meet Kurt Warner's family tree, from wife Brenda to Fresno State QB son E.J.
5. John Elway-Warren Moon: 80 years, 67 days (Oct. 11, 1998)
The Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks met twice in the 1998 season, but Seattle quarterback Warren Moon didn't play in the second game.
Denver won the first matchup of the season 21-16, to remain a perfect 6-0 at the time. John Elway finished the game 13-for-27 passing for 185 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Moon had 154 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. The Denver offense was lifted by star running back Terrell Davis, who had 208 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries.
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6. Vinny Testaverde-Trent Dilfer: 79 years, 283 days (Dec. 2, 2007)
Vinny Testaverde is a mainstay on this list. This time, he is highlighted for a matchup against Trent Dilfer and the San Francisco 49ers. The Panthers quarterback struggled overall, completing 17 of his passes for 169 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Luckily for him, Dilfer had a worse game. He finished 14-for-29 with 171 yards and two touchdowns, but he finished with four interceptions.
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7. Vinny Testaverde-Steve DeBerg: 79 years, 260 days (Oct. 25, 1998)
Steve DeBerg and the Atlanta Falcons took on Vinny Testaverde and the New York Jets in 1998. Testaverde went 16-for-29 for 206 yards with two touchdowns. DeBerg completed fewer than 50% of his passes, finishing 9-for-20. He threw for 117 yards and an interception in what was his lone start of the season. DeBerg had retired initially in 1993, but he came back to the NFL in 1998 when he was 44 years old. He was expected to be the backup for the season but was thrust into a start against New York with starter Chris Chandler unable to play.
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8. Phil Simms-Steve DeBerg: 78 years, 352 days (Dec. 5, 1993)
Phil Simms and the New York Giants went on the road to take on Steve DeBerg and the Miami Dolphins. New York entered the game 8-3, while Miami was 9-2 in a battle of the league's best.
Simms finished 17-for-24 for 257 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. DeBerg aired the ball out, completing 26 of his 41 passes for 365 yards. He had a touchdown and two interceptions, but it was the Giants who took the 19-14 win.
MORE: Ranking the 17 greatest Giants players of all time
9. Brad Johnson-Jeff Garcia: 78 years, 288 days (Oct. 26, 2008)
Brad Johnson was known for this tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he had the chance to face his old team in 2008. Johnson was the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, while Tampa Bay had Jeff Garcia under center.
Johnson and the Cowboys earned the 13-9 win, with the quarterback finishing 19-for-33 with 122 yards and a touchdown. Garcia had the better game statistically, finishing 27-for-43 passing for 227 yards, but he didn't have any touchdowns or interceptions.
MORE: Ranking the 18 greatest Cowboys players of all time
10. Kurt Warner-Brett Favre: 78 years, 244 days (Dec. 6, 2009)
Kurt Warner and the Cardinals hosted Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings in 2009. Arizona came into the game with a 7-4 record, but that didn't stop Warner from balling out. He finished 22-for-32 passing for 285 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. On the other side, Favre and Minnesota came into the game 10-1, but the quarterback finished with 275 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on 30-for-45 passing.
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