NFL's Longest Field Goals Ever Shock Modern Era
- 01. The Complete List of NFL's Longest Regular-Season Field Goals (62+ Yards)
- 02. Key Record Holders and Their Historic Kicks
- 03. Longest Field Goals in Playoff and Super Bowl History
- 04. Indoor vs. Outdoor Field Goal Records
- 05. Why Long Field Goals Are So Rare
- 06. The Evolution of NFL Kicking Distance
- 07. Notable Kickers and Their Signature Long Kicks
- 08. FAQ: Quick Answers About NFL Longest Field Goals
The NFL's longest field goal in the modern era is 68 yards, kicked by Jacksonville Jaguars placekicker Cam Little on November 2, 2025, against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. This historic kick surpassed the previous record of 66 yards set by Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker on September 26, 2021, against the Detroit Lions. The modern era of NFL kicking (generally defined as 1970 onward, after the AFL-NFL merger) has seen remarkable distance records broken as kickers have developed greater leg strength and technique.
The Complete List of NFL's Longest Regular-Season Field Goals (62+ Yards)
Only 17 successful field goals of 62 yards or farther have been recorded in NFL regular-season history since 1960, demonstrating just how extraordinary these kicks are. Below is the definitive ranking of the longest field goals in modern NFL history:
| Rank | Distance | Kicker | Team | Opponent | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68 yards | Cam Little | Jacksonville Jaguars | Las Vegas Raiders | November 2, 2025 | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas |
| 2 | 66 yards | Justin Tucker | Baltimore Ravens | Detroit Lions | September 26, 2021 | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore |
| 3 | 65 yards | Brandon Aubrey | Dallas Cowboys | Philadelphia Eagles | October 20, 2024 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| 3 | 65 yards | Chase McLaughlin | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Carolina Panthers | September 14, 2025 | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa |
| 5 | 64 yards | Matt Prater | Denver Broncos | Tennessee Titans | December 8, 2013 | Invensys Park, Denver |
| 5 | 64 yards | Brandon Aubrey | Dallas Cowboys | Washington Commanders | November 24, 2025 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington |
| 7 | 63 yards | Brett Maher | Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants | December 29, 2019 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| 7 | 63 yards | Graham Gano | Carolina Panthers | New York Giants | November 25, 2018 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| 7 | 63 yards | David Akers | San Francisco 49ers | Green Bay Packers | November 11, 2012 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
| 7 | 63 yards | Sebastian Janikowski | Oakland Raiders | Denver Broncos | November 13, 2011 | Invesco Field, Denver |
The distance records show how kicking technology and athlete conditioning have evolved dramatically over five decades. Tom Dempsey's 63-yard kick in 1970 stood as the all-time record for 43 years until Matt Prater broke it in 2013.
Key Record Holders and Their Historic Kicks
- 68 yards: 1 success (Cam Little, 2025)
- 66 yards: 1 success (Justin Tucker, 2021)
- 65 yards: 2 successes (Brandon Aubrey 2024, Chase McLaughlin 2025)
- 64 yards: 2 successes (Matt Prater 2013, Brandon Aubrey 2025)
- 63 yards: 7 successes (Maher, Gano, Akers, Janikowski, Elam, Dempsey, Slye)
- 62 yards: 8 successes (Butker, Prater, Maher x2, Gostkowski, Bryant)
- 61 yards: 12+ successes (Elliott x2, Bass, Slye, Joseph, Fairbairn, McManus, Myers, Zuerlein, Tucker, Feely, Janikowski)
- 60 yards: 14+ successes (Boswell, Aubrey x2, Butker, Zuerlein x2, Lutz, Maher, Catanzaro, Carpenter, Bironas, Andersen, Cox)
Brandon Aubrey stands out as the most prolific long-distance kicker in recent history, having made multiple 60+ yard field goals including a 65-yarder outdoors.
Longest Field Goals in Playoff and Super Bowl History
The pressure of postseason football makes long field goals even more remarkable. The longest field goals in NFL playoff history are 58 yards, achieved twice:
- 58 yards - Graham Gano, Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints (2018 Wild Card)
- 58 yards - Pete Stoyanovich, Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs (1991 Wild Card)
In Super Bowl history, the longest field goal is 57 yards, kicked by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII (2024). Jake Moody of the San Francisco 49ers connected on a 55-yard field goal in Super Bowl LVIII as well. Steve Christie's 54-yard kick for the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVIII (1994) remains the second-longest in Super Bowl history.
| Competition | Distance | Kicker | Team | Year | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playoffs | 58 yards | Graham Gano | Carolina Panthers | 2018 | New Orleans Saints |
| Playoffs | 58 yards | Pete Stoyanovich | Miami Dolphins | 1991 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Super Bowl | 57 yards | Harrison Butker | Kansas City Chiefs | 2024 | San Francisco 49ers |
| Super Bowl | 55 yards | Jake Moody | San Francisco 49ers | 2024 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Super Bowl | 54 yards | Steve Christie | Buffalo Bills | 1994 | Dallas Cowboys |
Harrison Butker's 57-yard Super Bowl record is particularly impressive given the high-pressure situation of the championship game.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Field Goal Records
Venue conditions dramatically affect kicking distance. Chase McLaughlin's 65-yard field goal for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 14, 2025, is the longest field goal ever made outdoors. Cam Little's 68-yard record was set indoors at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where dome conditions eliminate wind and weather factors.
On January 4, 2026, Cam Little also kicked a 67-yard field goal in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, which stands as the longest outdoor field goal in NFL history. This remarkable achievement came just two months after his indoor record, demonstrating Little's exceptional leg strength regardless of conditions.
Why Long Field Goals Are So Rare
Kicking a football more than 60 yards through the uprights is one of the toughest things to do in sports. Several factors contribute to the difficulty:
- Leg strength requirements: The kicker must generate enough force to carry the ball 62+ yards while maintaining accuracy
- Wind and weather: Outdoor kicks are affected by wind direction, temperature, and humidity
- Hold quality: The holder must place the ball perfectly for optimal contact
- Block pressure: The kick team must protect the kicker for the full 2.5+ seconds needed for long attempts
- Psychological pressure: Teams rarely attempt kicks beyond 60 yards unless desperation demands it
Only 11 players have succeeded in making field goals from 62 yards or farther during an official game. This exclusivity makes each record-breaking kick a legendary moment in NFL history.
The Evolution of NFL Kicking Distance
Field goals have always been a strange mix of math and muscle in football. For decades, most attempts came from short range, and anything beyond 50 yards felt like a gamble. The 1970s saw Tom Dempsey's revolutionary 63-yard kick, which used a specially designed shoe due to Dempsey's birth defect (no toes on his kicking foot).
The 1990s and 2000s saw gradual improvement with Jason Elam's 63-yard kick in 1998 and Matt Bryant's 62-yarder in 2006. Sebastian Janikowski's powerful leg produced multiple 60+ yard kicks in the 2000s and 2010s, including his 63-yard success and 76-yard attempt.
The 2010s marked the true explosion of long-distance kicking. Matt Prater's 64-yard record in 2013 shattered the 43-year-old record. Justin Tucker's precision and power elevated the position to new heights with his 66-yard record in 2021. The 2020s have seen unprecedented distance records, with Brandon Aubrey's rookie-season dominance and Cam Little's historic 68-yarder pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible.
The modern kicking era benefits from improved training methods, better footwear technology, specialized kicking coaches, and optimized ball design. These factors combine to produce the extraordinary distances we see today.
Notable Kickers and Their Signature Long Kicks
Matt Prater holds the distinction of breaking Tom Dempsey's 43-year record with his 64-yard kick in 2013. Prater also made a 62-yard field goal with the Arizona Cardinals in 2021, showing his longevity as a long-distance kicker.
Graham Gano has been consistently impressive with a 63-yard regular-season kick and the 58-yard playoff record. His power and accuracy have made him one of the most reliable long-distance kickers in NFL history.
Harrison Butker has emerged as a clutch performer with his 62-yard regular-season kick and Super Bowl record 57-yarder. Butker's consistency under pressure makes him one of the premier kickers of his generation.
"Kicking a football more than 60 yards through the uprights is one of the toughest things to do in sports. Only a few kickers in NFL history have had the power, accuracy, and confidence to pull it off."
FAQ: Quick Answers About NFL Longest Field Goals
The NFL's longest field goals in the modern era represent the pinnacle of kicking excellence, combining power, precision, and poise under extreme pressure. From Tom Dempsey's 1970 record to Cam Little's 2025 breakthrough, these kicks continue to redefine what's possible in professional football.
Expert answers to Nfl Longest Field Goals Modern Era queries
Who holds the NFL longest field goal record?
Cam Little holds the official NFL record with his 68-yard field goal on November 2, 2025. This kick came in the fourth quarter with 2:17 remaining, sealing a 23-20 victory over the Raiders. Little's boot was only the 15th attempt of at least 68 yards since 1960.
What was Justin Tucker's famous 66-yard kick?
Justin Tucker's 66-yard field goal as time expired on September 26, 2021, gave the Baltimore Ravens a 19-17 victory over the Detroit Lions. The ball hit the crossbar, bounced up, and fell through the uprights in one of the most clutch moments in NFL history. Tucker's kick stood as the longest for exactly 4 years and 37 days until Cam Little's record-breaking attempt.
How many 60+ yard field goals have been made?
According to ESPN data, there have been numerous field goals of 60 yards or more in NFL history. The complete breakdown includes:
When was the NFL record for longest field goal last broken?
The most recent record was broken on November 2, 2025, when Cam Little kicked 68 yards. Before that, Justin Tucker's 66-yard record stood from September 26, 2021, for over four years. Matt Prater's 64-yard record (2013) lasted 11 years until Brandon Aubrey matched it in 2025.
Who has the most 60+ yard field goals in NFL history?
Brandon Aubrey leads the modern era with multiple 60+ yard field goals, including a 65-yarder and two 64-yarders. Brett Maher also stands out with four successful 62+ yard kicks (two 63-yarders and two 62-yarders). Justin Tucker has made multiple 60+ yard field goals including his record 66-yarder and a 61-yarder in 2013.
What is the longest field goal ever attempted in NFL history?
The longest field goal attempt in an NFL game was 76 yards by Sebastian Janikowski of the Oakland Raiders against the San Diego Chargers on September 28, 2008. Janikowski's attempt did not succeed, but it demonstrated the extreme limits of kicking distance. Most 60+ yard attempts result in misses, with success rates below 30% for kicks beyond 62 yards.
What yardage is considered a long field goal in the NFL?
Any field goal of 50 yards or more is considered long in the NFL. Field goals of 60+ yards are extremely rare and considered extraordinary achievements. Kicks beyond 62 yards have succeeded only 17 times in NFL history since 1960.
Has anyone ever kicked a 70-yard field goal in the NFL?
No, no one has successfully kicked a 70-yard field goal in an official NFL game. The longest attempt was Sebastian Janikowski's 76-yard try in 2008, which did not succeed. Cam Little's 68-yard record remains the furthest successful kick.
How many field goals of 62+ yards have been made in NFL history?
Only 17 successful field goals of 62 yards or farther have been made in NFL regular-season history since 1960. This rarity highlights how extraordinary these kicks are and why each record-breaking attempt becomes instant history.
What team has the most long field goals in NFL history?
The Dallas Cowboys have multiple kickers with long field goals, including Brett Maher (63 and 62 yards) and Brandon Aubrey (65 and 64 yards). The Denver Broncos also stand out with Matt Prater's 64-yard and 62-yard records. The Baltimore Ravens claim the second-longest ever with Justin Tucker's 66-yarder.