Future HOF takes the mantle as NFL’s oldest active player after Brady retires

On Wednesday, the great Tom Brady called it a career once again. Now that Brady, 45, is retiring for good this time, the NFL has a new oldest active player, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Jason Peters. 

The 18-year veteran, who turned 41 in December, is now the league’s senior member. Peters, like Brady, will likely be enshrined among football’s immortals in Canton when he finally decides to hang up his cleats. However, Peters isn’t handing in his retirement papers yet. According to Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Cowboys expect the lineman back for the 2023 season. 

Peters went undrafted in the 2004 NFL Draft before signing on with the Buffalo Bills, where he’d start 55 games, earning two Pro Bowl nods over five seasons. Peters’ career took off after a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009. In 11 seasons with the Eagles, Peters started 148 games, received All-Pro honors twice, and was voted to the Pro Bowl seven times. 

After spending 2021 with the Chicago Bears, Peters signed with the Cowboys practice squad in September and was active for 10 games. Peters played the final four games of the regular season, starting Week 18’s finale and Dallas’ 31-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card round. 

Peters is one of only three active NFL players over 40. The others, punter Andy Lee and kicker Robbie Gould will turn 41 during the 2023 season. 

It’s unclear how much longer Peters will play, but he likely won’t still be playing at 45 like Brady while playing at an unforgiving position. Though, by moving to right tackle this season, Peters showed he still has value, even at his age.