They say life begins at 40, but in the NFL, many careers end well before 30. That makes those who endure as stars after 30 truly special.
Looking at the players who will be 31 or older going into the 2014 season, Sporting News has whittled it down to a top 30. No surprise, it starts with the ageless wonder who quarterbacks in Denver. But from No. 2 on, who else makes the cut?
1. Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos
Age: 38
“Staying active, that's what I try to do. I don't really enjoy just sitting around doing nothing," Manning told reporters recently. After his record 5,477-yard, 55-TD MVP season, we would say he’s still doing a lot of something no one has done before.
2. Robert Mathis, OLB, Colts
Age: 33
Once known as the “other” Colts end opposite Dwight Freeney, Mathis, after settling into rush linebacker in their base 3-4, exploded for his career-best season with 19-1/2 sacks. That makes a four-game suspension tough to swallow for him and the team.
3. Drew Brees, QB, Saints
Age: 35
Just like size evaporated into a non-issue for him, so have the extra years. He remains a consistent machine in a Sean Payton offense tailored to everything he does well. Don’t count him out from adding a second ring soon.
4. Cameron Wake, DE, Dolphins
Age: 32
He’s making up for the late start he got in the NFL. Miami mined a gem out of the Canadian Football League with the then 27-year-old Wake in 2009, and whether at end or outside linebacker, he’s thrived with every edge responsibility.
5. Jason Peters, LT, Eagles
Age: 32
Since coming over from the Bills and shaking off injury concerns, he’s re-established himself as a dominant athletic force in pass protection, a must-have for Chip Kelly’s high-volume, diverse passing offense. He anchors maybe the league’s best line.
6. Brent Grimes, CB, Dolphins
Age: Turns 31 on July 19
Most corners slow down after 30, because they can’t stay with receivers the way they once could. What Grimes lacks in speed and size (5-10, 190), he compensates with great coverage technique. He should be mentioned more among the elite.
7. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
Age: Turns 33 on July 11
Johnson has never been a diva or me-first guy, so expressing his concern about the state of the Texans was just his competitiveness coming out. He might be slowing down a bit, but you wouldn’t know it with his 109-1,407-5 line of 2013.
8. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
Age: Turns 37 on August 3
Just because there’s talk about Brady’s decline in relation to the current raised bar of quarterback play around the league, it doesn’t take away from his elite all-time resume. It’s more like comparing a great present to his impossible-to-match past.
9. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers
Age: 32
Just when we thought Rivers had run dry a bit, enter Mike McCoy to help him deliver his career-best season of efficiency and accuracy. Norv Turner tried to force Rivers into something he wasn’t; San Diego is a playoff team because of his revival.
10. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals
Age: Turns 31 on August 31
It’s hard to believe when considering long Fitzgerald has been catching everything for Arizona through a carousel of quarterbacks, that he’s still this young. On top of being a terrific pass-catcher, he’s a good leader who makes their other wideouts better.
11. Derrick Johnson, ILB, Chiefs
Age: 31
There’s nothing super-flashy about Johnson’s game. He just keeps producing as the modern 3-4 inside ‘backer should, active all over the field as a leader and playmaker. For such a talent-rich front seven, he’s the venerable glue.
12. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
Age: 32
Roethlisberger’s modest production and limited accolades don’t justify what he means to the Steelers. They have missed the playoffs the past two seasons, but don’t blame him: He’s sneakily played the best football of his two-ring career.
13. Kyle Williams, DT, Bills
Age: Turns 31 on June 10
At this rate, it may be hard to refer to Williams as the best player casual non-Buffalo fans have not heard about. After the inside run stuffer exploded with 10.5 sacks, he’s now a three-time Pro Bowler.
14. Anquan Boldin, WR, 49ers
Age: 33
The Ravens had to regret not being able to afford him, because the Niners were big beneficiaries. He carried their passing game early, and then became more dangerous as the ideal target to play off Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis.
15. Evan Mathis, G, Eagles
Age: 32
Jason Peters gets some company from the guy who plays right next him at left guard. Mathis, with is 6-5, 304-pound frame, was outstanding in opening holes for LeSean McCoy. He also doesn’t have the same mileage because of late-bloomer status.
16. DeMarcus Ware, DE, Broncos
Age: Turns 32 on July 31
Ware struggled through his injury-affected season, but when healthy, he did all he could to ease the Cowboys’ transition to a base 4-3. He’ll be let loose as a wild-card hybrid who can play off Von Miller, instead of trying to carry Denver’s defense.
17. Thomas Davis, OLB, Panthers
Age: 31
Because of his countless knee surgeries, we didn’t know if Davis could ever get back to being an elite, versatile 4-3 edge player. He answered that with a resounding yes, forming a terrific twosome with rangy Luke Kuechly.
18. Jason Hatcher, DE, Redskins
Age: Turns 32 on July 13
Hatcher always had the size (6-7, 285) and athleticism to be a big-time producer, and it finally came to fruition with his 11 sacks as a 4-3 tackle in Dallas last season. Rival Washington is hoping to get more of the same back at 3-4 end.
19. Troy Polamalu, S, Steelers
Age: 33
He has lost a step, but then you remember his boundless energy and amazing instincts are what have made him an intimidating fixture at strong safety for a long time. He should feel a bit rejuvenated with young front seven, too.
20. Terrell Suggs, OLB, Ravens
Age: 31
The 2011 NFL defensive player of the year came back in full force after a regular season lost to injury in ’12. There was less pressure on him to produce off the edge while tag-teaming with Elvis Dumervil, but the result was still 10 Suggs sacks.
21. Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys
Age: 34
Only in Dallas can a quarterback who’s consistently among the most efficient in the league be blamed for all the defensive issues that have caused the team to hover at .500. The only knock here is the concern injuries could lead to a quick weardown.
22. Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys
Age: 32
Now that Tony Gonzalez has officially retired, Witten takes the mantle of most respected all-around tight end in the league. He keeps plugging along as a surehanded receiver and underrated blocker with little signs of decline.
23. Karlos Dansby, ILB, Browns
Age: 32
Dansby, fresh off his successful short second stint in Arizona, cashed in quickly with Cleveland. He’s come full circle as a force against the pass, with 6.5 sacks and four interceptions last season. He’s more new school than many young linebackers.
24. Trent Cole, OLB, Eagles
Age: 31
He seemed to be fading a bit in 2012 in his last year as a right end, but moving to right linebacker in their 3-4 brought him back to his familiar pass-rushing level. His eight sacks came with making a difficult transition.
25. Marques Colston, WR, Saints
Age: Turns 31 on June 5
How steady and underrated is Colston among prolific No. 1 receivers in the NFL? It’s a travesty that he hasn’t gotten one Pro Bowl nod. He’s been Drew Brees’ reliable possession and red zone guy since he was a seventh-round pick in 2006.
26. Andrew Whitworth, G/T, Bengals
Age: 32
Whitworth was a premier left tackle a few years ago, making the Pro Bowl for his efforts in 2012. Battling through early injury, he showed his versatility in also excelling at left guard in a pinch.
27. Justin Smith, DE, 49ers
Age: 34
“The Cowboy” keeps standing out in his blue-collar role of enforcing 3-4 end in San Francisco’s scheme. His signature is fighting through blocks and pushing back blockers in the process. Expect him to remain relentless until he hangs it up.
28. Justin Tuck, DE, Raiders
Age: 31
There were signs Tuck wasn’t quite the spry pass rusher anymore, but it’s hard to ignore his late surge that got him up to a still impressive 11 sacks last season. The Raiders are counting on the former Giant to have even more upfield pop left.
29. Jared Allen, DE, Bears
Age: 32
No one will look at Allen as a dominant all-around end anymore, but he doesn’t need to be at this stage of his career. As long as he keeps up his motor, the pass-rush production will come. Chicago would take 11-12 sacks from the ex-Viking.
30. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers
Age: 31
At a position where decline is supposed to happen at 30, Gore deserves respect for not slowing down too much in San Francisco’s run-heavy scheme. Don’t assume he’ll give up the load to Carlos Hyde just yet.
