Some NFL franchises have a long and storied history while others are just getting started. One club can trace its history back to 1898, while another was allowed to keep its history when the team skipped town. The list below provides an interesting glimpse into the history of today’s professional football teams.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: Dallas Cowboys (1960-present)
New York Giants: New York Giants (1925-present)
Philadelphia Eagles: Philadelphia Eagles (1933-1942), Philadelphia-Pittsburgh “Steagles” (1943), Philadelphia Eagles (1944-present)
Washington Redskins: Boston Braves (1932), Boston Redskins (1933-1936), Washington Redskins (1937-present)
NFC North
Chicago Bears: Decatur Staleys (1919-1920), Chicago Staleys (1921), Chicago Bears (1922-present)
Detroit Lions: Portsmouth Spartans (1929-1933), Detroit Lions (1934-present)
Green Bay Packers: Green Bay Packers (1919-present)
Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota Vikings (1961-present)
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: Atlanta Falcons (1966-present)
Carolina Panthers: Carolina Panthers (1995-present)
New Orleans Saints: New Orleans Saints (1967-present)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1976-present)
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: Morgan Athletic Club (1898-1919), Chicago Cardinals (1920-1943), Card-Pitt (1944), Chicago Cardinals (1945-1959), St. Louis Cardinals (1960-1987), Phoenix Cardinals (1988-1993), Arizona Cardinals (1994-present)
San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco 49ers (1946-present)
Seattle Seahawks: Seattle Seahawks (1976-present)
St. Louis Rams: Cleveland Rams (1936-1945), Los Angeles Rams (1946-1994), St. Louis Rams (1995-present)
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: Buffalo Bills (1960-present)
Miami Dolphins: Miami Dolphins (1966-present)
New England Patriots: Boston Patriots (1960-1970), Bay State Patriots (Feb. 1971- Mar. 1971), New England Patriots (1971-present)
New York Jets: Titans of New York (1960-1962), New York Jets (1963-present)
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore Ravens (1996-present)
Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati Bengals (1968-present)
Cleveland Browns: Cleveland Browns (1946-1995), Cleveland Browns (1999-present)
Pittsburgh Steelers: Pittsburgh Pirates (1933-1939), Pittsburgh Steelers (1940-1942), Phil-Pitt “Steagles” (1943), Card-Pitt (1944), Pittsburgh Steelers (1945-present)
AFC South
Houston Texans: Houston Texans (2002-present)
Indianapolis Colts: Baltimore Colts (1953-1983), Indianapolis Colts (1984-present)
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville Jaguars (1995-present)
Tennessee Titans: Houston Oilers (1960-1996), Tennessee Oilers (1997-1998), Tennessee Titans (1999-present)
AFC West
Denver Broncos: Denver Broncos (1960-present)
Kansas City Chiefs: Dallas Texans (1960-1962), Kansas City Chiefs (1963-present)
Oakland Raiders: Oakland Raiders (1960-1981), Los Angeles Raiders (1982-1994), Oakland Raiders (1995-present)
San Diego Chargers: Los Angeles Chargers (1960), San Diego Chargers (1961-present)
Sources:
All data provided by NFL.com
Paul Rados is a Cleveland based freelance sportswriter and Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook. For a complete look at his freelance work please visit his Blog.
