This article is a timeline of the National Football League (NFL). It tracks the history of each of the league's 32 current franchises from the early days of the league, through its merger with the American Football League (AFL). The history of franchises that began as independent teams, or as members of the Ohio League , New York Pro Football League , and other defunct leagues are shown as well.
NFL timeline [ ]
1920–1931: The Birth of the NFL [ ]
1920 [ ]
The American Professional Football Association is formed. The fourteen teams were mainly drawn from the Ohio League , Chicago Circuit, New York Pro Football League and other teams from the lower midwest. A $100 membership fee was charged. The Chicago Tigers folded after the season.[1]
^ Team folded this season
1921 [ ]
Number of teams increased to 21. Four teams lasted only one season. Three other franchises folded.
1921 name changes
1920 name
1921 name
Decatur Staleys
Chicago Staleys
Detroit Heralds
Detroit Tigers
Cleveland Tigers
Cleveland Indians
First season in APFA *
Team folded this season ^
Only season in the league §
1922 [ ]
The APFA was renamed the National Football League. Four new franchises awarded.
1922 name changes
1921 team name
1922 team name
Chicago Staleys
Chicago Bears
First season in NFL *
Team folded this season ^
1923 [ ]
A new and distinct Cleveland Indians franchise was formed. Two other teams joined the NFL, the Duluth Kelleys and the St. Louis All Stars . The St. Louis team folded after one season.
1923 name changes
1922 team name
1923 team name
Columbus Panhandles
Columbus Tigers
First season in NFL *
Team folded this season ^
Last season before hiatus, rejoined league later §
1924 [ ]
Before the season, the owner of the Cleveland Indians bought the Canton Bulldogs and "mothballed" it, taking the team's nickname and players to Cleveland for the season. The Canton Bulldogs had won the NFL championship in 1923, and won it again as the Cleveland Bulldogs in 1924.
1924 name changes
1923 team name
1924 team name
Buffalo All-Americans
Buffalo Bisons
Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Bulldogs
First season in NFL *
Team folded this season ^
Last season before hiatus, rejoined league later §
1925 [ ]
The Canton Bulldogs were reactivated. Four other franchises were awarded. This was the final season for the Rochester Jeffersons.
1925 name changes
1924 team name
1925 team name
Kansas City Blues
Kansas City Cowboys
First season in NFL *
Last active season ^
Last season before hiatus, rejoined league later §
Team jumped to the AFL †
Rejoined the NFL **
1926 [ ]
The league grew to 22 teams, a figure that would not be equaled in professional football until 1961 , adding the Brooklyn Lions , the Hartford Blues , the Los Angeles Buccaneers , and the Louisville Colonels , with Racine Tornadoes re-entering.
1926 name changes
1925 team name
1926 team name
Racine Legion
Racine Tornadoes
Duluth Kelleys
Duluth Eskimos
Akron Pros
Akron Indians
Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Rangers
First season in NFL *
Rejoined the NFL †
Last active season ^
1927 [ ]
Prior to the season, the league decided to eliminate the financially weaker teams. As a result, the league dropped from 22 to 12 teams, and a majority of the remaining teams were centered around the East Coast instead of the Midwest, where the NFL had started. The New York Yankees were added from the American Football League and the Cleveland Bulldogs returned.
1927 name changes
1926 team name
1927 team name
Buffalo Rangers
Buffalo Bisons
Rejoined the NFL †
Merged from 1926 AFL *
Last active season ^
Last season before hiatus, rejoined league later §
1928 [ ]
The NFL drops to ten teams. Two teams had folded, the Buffalo Bisons sat out the season and the Cleveland Bulldogs moved and played as the Detroit Wolverines .
1929 [ ]
The league increased back to 12 teams with the addition of two franchises, the Staten Island Stapletons , and the Orange Tornadoes . Two mothballed teams activated for the season. Minneapolis re-entered as the Red Jackets and the re-entry of the Buffalo Bisons.
1929 name changes
1928 team name
1929 team name
Minneapolis Marines
Minneapolis Red Jackets
Pottsville Maroons
Boston Bulldogs
First season in NFL *
Rejoined the NFL **
Last active season ^
1930 [ ]
Prior to the season, Brooklyn businessmen William B. Dwyer and John C. Depler bought the Dayton Triangles, moved it, and renamed it the Brooklyn Dodgers . The Orange Tornadoes relocated to Newark. The Portsmouth Spartans entered as a new team.
1930 name changes
1929 team name
1930 team name
Orange Tornadoes
Newark Tornadoes
Dayton Triangles
Brooklyn Dodgers
First season in NFL *
Last active season ^
1931 [ ]
The league decreased to 10 teams due to financial hardships caused by the Great Depression . While the Cleveland Indians joined as an expansion team, the league lost the Minneapolis Red Jackets and the Newark Tornadoes, and the Frankford Yellow Jackets folded midway through the season.
First season in NFL *
Last active season ^
The Championships Starts [ ]
1932 [ ]
The Boston Braves enfranchised.
First season in NFL *
Team folded this season ^
1932 NFL teams
Boston Braves *
Brooklyn Dodgers
Chicago Bears
Chicago Cardinals
Green Bay Packers
New York Giants
Portsmouth Spartans
Staten Island Stapletons ^
1933 [ ]
Three new teams enfranchised:
Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Pirates
League split into Eastern and Western Divisions
First season in history of the league no team folds or suspends operations
1933 name change
1932 team name
1933 team name
Boston Braves
Boston Redskins
1933 NFL teams
Eastern Division
Western Division
Boston Redskins
Chicago Bears
Brooklyn Dodgers
Chicago Cardinals
New York Giants
Cincinnati Reds *
Philadelphia Eagles *
Green Bay Packers
Pittsburgh Pirates *
Portsmouth Spartans
1934 [ ]
Portsmouth Spartans moved to Detroit; renamed the Lions
Cincinnati Reds cease operations during season, and are replaced by the St Louis Gunners for the final 3 games.
1934 name change
1933 team name
1934 team name
Portsmouth Spartans
Detroit Lions
First and last season in NFL †
Last active season ^
1935–1936 [ ]
Neither Cincinnati Reds nor St. Louis Gunners return for 1935 season.
1935 –1936 NFL teams
Eastern Division
Western Division
Brooklyn Dodgers
Chicago Bears
New York Giants
Chicago Cardinals
Philadelphia Eagles
Detroit Lions
Pittsburgh Pirates
Green Bay Packers
Boston Redskins
1937–1939 [ ]
Cleveland Rams enfranchised
Boston Redskins move to Washington, D.C.
1937 name change
1936 team name
1937 team name
Boston Redskins
Washington Redskins
1937 is first season in NFL *
1937 –1939 NFL teams
Eastern Division
Western Division
Brooklyn Dodgers
Chicago Bears
New York Giants
Chicago Cardinals
Philadelphia Eagles
Cleveland Rams *
Pittsburgh Pirates
Detroit Lions
Washington Redskins
Green Bay Packers
The 1940s: World War II mergers [ ]
1940–1942 [ ]
1940 name change
1939 team name
1940 team name
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Steelers
Team mothballed after season, rejoined league 1944 §
1940 –1942 NFL teams
Eastern Division
Western Division
Brooklyn Dodgers
Chicago Bears
New York Giants
Chicago Cardinals
Philadelphia Eagles
Cleveland Rams §
Pittsburgh Steelers
Detroit Lions
Washington Redskins
Green Bay Packers
1943 [ ]
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh merge to form "Phil-Pitt"
Two teams merge for season †
1943 NFL teams
Eastern Division
Western Division
Brooklyn Dodgers
Chicago Bears
New York Giants
Chicago Cardinals
Phil-Pitt Steagles †
Detroit Lions
Washington Redskins
Green Bay Packers
1944 [ ]
Boston Yanks enfranchised.
Cleveland Rams resume operations.
Steagles end merger, Eagles resume operations
Steelers merge with Cardinals to form "Card-Pitt"
1944 name change
1943 team name
1944 team name
Brooklyn Dodgers
Brooklyn Tigers
First season in NFL *
Rejoined the NFL **
Two teams merge for season †
1945 [ ]
Card-Pitt splits into Chicago Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers
Brooklyn Tigers merge with Boston Yanks, named simply "The Yanks"
Two teams merge for season †
1945 NFL teams
Eastern Division
Western Division
The Yanks †
Chicago Bears
New York Giants
Chicago Cardinals
Philadelphia Eagles
Cleveland Rams
Pittsburgh Steelers
Detroit Lions
Washington Redskins
Green Bay Packers
1946–1948 [ ]
Brooklyn Tigers cease operations
Boston Yanks resume normal operations
Cleveland Rams move to Los Angeles
1946 name change
1945 team name
1946 team name
Cleveland Rams
Los Angeles Rams
Last active season was 1948 ^
1946 –1948 NFL teams
Eastern Division
Western Division
Boston Yanks ^
Chicago Bears
New York Giants
Chicago Cardinals
Philadelphia Eagles
Detroit Lions
Pittsburgh Steelers
Green Bay Packers
Washington Redskins
Los Angeles Rams
1949 [ ]
Boston Yanks cease operations
New York Bulldogs enfranchised from the remains of the Boston Yanks
1949 NFL teams
Eastern Division
Western Division
New York Bulldogs *
Chicago Bears
New York Giants
Chicago Cardinals
Philadelphia Eagles
Detroit Lions
Pittsburgh Steelers
Green Bay Packers
Washington Redskins
Los Angeles Rams
The 1950s: AAFC merger [ ]
1950 [ ]
Eastern Division renamed to American Conference
Western Division renamed to National Conference
San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and the first Baltimore Colts all enfranchised from now-defunct All-America Football Conference . The Colts fold after the 1950 season.
New York Bulldogs change name to New York Yanks, move to National Conference
Chicago Cardinals move to American Conference
1950 name change
1949 team name
1950 team name
New York Bulldogs
New York Yanks
Teams merge from AAFC **
Last active season ^
1950 NFL teams
American Conference
National Conference
Chicago Cardinals
Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns **
New York Yanks
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Los Angeles Rams
Washington Redskins
San Francisco 49ers **
Baltimore Colts ** ^
1951 [ ]
The New York Yanks fold after the 1951 season.
1951 NFL teams
American Conference
National Conference
Chicago Cardinals
Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns
New York Yanks ^
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Los Angeles Rams
Washington Redskins
San Francisco 49ers
1952 [ ]
Dallas Texans enfranchised with the remains of the now-defunct New York Yanks, but fold after one season and to date last NFL team to fold.
First and last season in NFL *
1952 NFL teams
American Conference
National Conference
Chicago Cardinals
Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns
Dallas Texans *
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Los Angeles Rams
Washington Redskins
San Francisco 49ers
1953–1959 [ ]
American Conference renamed the Eastern Conference
National Conference renamed the Western Conference
A second and distinct Baltimore Colts team enfranchised from the remains of the Dallas Texans
1953 is first season in NFL *
1953 –1959 NFL teams
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Chicago Cardinals
Baltimore Colts *
Cleveland Browns
Chicago Bears
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Los Angeles Rams
Washington Redskins
San Francisco 49ers
The 1960s: NFL and AFL [ ]
1960 [ ]
American Football League (AFL) begins operations with eight teams as a rival to the NFL.
Dallas Cowboys enfranchised by NFL
Chicago Cardinals move to St. Louis
1960 AFL teams
Eastern Division
Western Division
Boston Patriots
Denver Broncos
Buffalo Bills
Dallas Texans
Houston Oilers
Oakland Raiders
Titans of New York
Los Angeles Chargers
1961–1962 [ ]
NFL enfranchises the Minnesota Vikings
Los Angeles Chargers move to San Diego
Dallas Cowboys move to Eastern Division
1961 name change
1960 team name
1961 team name
Los Angeles Chargers
San Diego Chargers
1961 is first season in NFL *
1961 –1962 AFL teams
Eastern
Western
Boston Patriots
Denver Broncos
Buffalo Bills
Dallas Texans
Houston Oilers
Oakland Raiders
Titans of New York
San Diego Chargers
1961 –1962 NFL teams
Eastern
Western
Cleveland Browns
Baltimore Colts
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Cardinals
Minnesota Vikings *
Washington Redskins
San Francisco 49ers
1963–1965 [ ]
Dallas Texans move to Kansas City; renamed the Chiefs
Titans of New York renamed New York Jets
1963 name change
1962 team name
1963 team name
Titans of New York
New York Jets
Dallas Texans
Kansas City Chiefs
1963 –1965 AFL teams
Eastern
Western
Boston Patriots
Denver Broncos
Buffalo Bills
Kansas City Chiefs
Houston Oilers
Oakland Raiders
New York Jets
San Diego Chargers
1963 –1965 NFL teams
Eastern
Western
Cleveland Browns
Baltimore Colts
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Cardinals
Minnesota Vikings
Washington Redskins
San Francisco 49ers
1966 [ ]
Atlanta Falcons enfranchised by NFL
Miami Dolphins enfranchised by AFL
First AFL-NFL championship game played.
First season in NFL *
First season in AFL **
1966 AFL teams
Eastern
Western
Boston Patriots
Denver Broncos
Buffalo Bills
Kansas City Chiefs
Houston Oilers
Oakland Raiders
Miami Dolphins **
San Diego Chargers
New York Jets
1967 [ ]
NFL Eastern Conference divided into Capitol and Century Divisions
NFL Western Conference divided into Coastal and Central Divisions
New Orleans Saints enfranchised by NFL
Atlanta Falcons move to Western Conference
1967 AFL teams
Eastern
Western
Buffalo Bills
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Kansas City Chiefs
Boston Patriots
Oakland Raiders
New York Jets
San Diego Chargers
Houston Oilers
1968 [ ]
Cincinnati Bengals are enfranchised by AFL
New York Giants move to Capitol Division
New Orleans Saints move to Century Division
1968 AFL teams
Eastern
Western
Buffalo Bills
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Kansas City Chiefs
Boston Patriots
Oakland Raiders
New York Jets
San Diego Chargers
Houston Oilers
Cincinnati Bengals **
1969 [ ]
New York Giants move back to Century Division
New Orleans moves back to Capitol Division
1969 AFL teams
Eastern
Western
Buffalo Bills
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Kansas City Chiefs
Boston Patriots
Oakland Raiders
New York Jets
San Diego Chargers
Houston Oilers
Cincinnati Bengals
The 1970s: AFL–NFL merger [ ]
1970 [ ]
AFL and NFL merge
AFL Eastern and Western Divisions become AFC East and AFC West, respectively
AFC Central formed.
NFL Century Division teams split up between AFC Central and NFC East
NFL Capitol Division becomes nucleus of NFC East
NFL Central Division becomes NFC Central
NFL Coastal Division becomes nucleus of NFC West
Houston moves from AFL East to AFC Central
Cincinnati moves from AFL West to AFC Central
New Orleans moves from NFL Capitol to NFC West
Cleveland moves from NFL Century to AFC Central
New York Giants move from NFL Century to NFC East
Pittsburgh moves from NFL Century to AFC Central
St. Louis moves from NFL Century to NFC East
Baltimore moves from NFL Coastal to AFC East
1970 NFL teams
AFC
East
Central
West
Baltimore Colts
Cincinnati Bengals
Denver Broncos
Boston Patriots
Cleveland Browns
Kansas City Chiefs
Buffalo Bills
Houston Oilers
Oakland Raiders
Miami Dolphins
Pittsburgh Steelers
San Diego Chargers
New York Jets
NFC
East
Central
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Atlanta Falcons
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
Los Angeles Rams
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
New Orleans Saints
St. Louis Cardinals
Minnesota Vikings
San Francisco 49ers
Washington Redskins
1971–1975 [ ]
Boston Patriots are renamed New England Patriots.
1971 –1975 NFL teams
AFC
East
Central
West
Buffalo Bills
Cleveland Browns
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Oakland Raiders
New York Jets
Houston Oilers
San Diego Chargers
Baltimore Colts
NFC
East
Central
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Los Angeles Rams
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
St. Louis Cardinals
1976 [ ]
Seattle Seahawks are enfranchised
Tampa Bay Buccaneers are enfranchised
1976 NFL teams
AFC
East
Central
West
Buffalo Bills
Cleveland Browns
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Oakland Raiders
New York Jets
Houston Oilers
San Diego Chargers
Baltimore Colts
Tampa Bay Buccaneers *
NFC
East
Central
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Los Angeles Rams
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
St. Louis Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks *
1977–1981 [ ]
Seattle moves from NFC West to AFC West
Tampa Bay moves from AFC West to NFC Central
1977 –1981 NFL teams
AFC
East
Central
West
Buffalo Bills
Cleveland Browns
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Oakland Raiders
New York Jets
Houston Oilers
San Diego Chargers
Baltimore Colts
Seattle Seahawks
NFC
East
Central
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Los Angeles Rams
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
St. Louis Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 1980s and 1990s [ ]
1982–1983 [ ]
Oakland Raiders move to Los Angeles.
1982 –1983 NFL teams
AFC
East
Central
West
Buffalo Bills
Cleveland Browns
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Los Angeles Raiders
New York Jets
Houston Oilers
San Diego Chargers
Baltimore Colts
Seattle Seahawks
NFC
East
Central
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Los Angeles Rams
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
St. Louis Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1984–1987 [ ]
Baltimore Colts move to Indianapolis
1984 –1987 NFL teams
AFC
East
Central
West
Buffalo Bills
Cleveland Browns
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Los Angeles Raiders
New York Jets
Houston Oilers
San Diego Chargers
Indianapolis Colts
Seattle Seahawks
NFC
East
Central
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Los Angeles Rams
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
St. Louis Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1988–1993 [ ]
St. Louis Cardinals move to Phoenix
1988 –1993 NFL teams
AFC
East
Central
West
Buffalo Bills
Cleveland Browns
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Los Angeles Raiders
New York Jets
Houston Oilers
San Diego Chargers
Indianapolis Colts
Seattle Seahawks
NFC
East
Central
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Los Angeles Rams
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
Phoenix Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1994 [ ]
Phoenix Cardinals renamed Arizona Cardinals
1994 NFL teams
AFC
East
Central
West
Buffalo Bills
Cleveland Browns
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Los Angeles Raiders
New York Jets
Houston Oilers
San Diego Chargers
Indianapolis Colts
Seattle Seahawks
NFC
East
Central
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Los Angeles Rams
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
Arizona Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1995 [ ]
Carolina Panthers enfranchised
Jacksonville Jaguars enfranchised
Los Angeles Raiders move back to Oakland
Los Angeles Rams move to St. Louis
First season in NFL *
Team deactivated until 1999 §
1995 NFL teams
AFC
East
Central
West
Buffalo Bills
Cleveland Browns §
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Oakland Raiders
New York Jets
Jacksonville Jaguars *
San Diego Chargers
Indianapolis Colts
Houston Oilers
Seattle Seahawks
NFC
East
Central
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
St. Louis Rams
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
Arizona Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carolina Panthers *
1996 [ ]
Cleveland Browns franchise deactivated
Baltimore Ravens enfranchised with remains of deactivated Cleveland Browns
1996 NFL teams
AFC
East
Central
West
Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens *
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Oakland Raiders
New York Jets
Jacksonville Jaguars
San Diego Chargers
Indianapolis Colts
Houston Oilers
Seattle Seahawks
NFC
East
Central
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
St. Louis Rams
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
Arizona Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carolina Panthers
1997–1998 [ ]
Houston Oilers announce that they will move to Nashville and are renamed the Tennessee Oilers. They play the 1997 season in Memphis and the 1998 season at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville while a new stadium is built in Nashville.
1997 –1998 NFL teams
AFC
East
Central
West
Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Oakland Raiders
New York Jets
Jacksonville Jaguars
San Diego Chargers
Indianapolis Colts
Tennessee Oilers
Seattle Seahawks
NFC
East
Central
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
St. Louis Rams
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
Arizona Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carolina Panthers
1999–2001 [ ]
Cleveland Browns franchise reinstated
Tennessee Oilers renamed Tennessee Titans
1999 –2001 NFL teams
AFC
East
Central
West
Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Cleveland Browns
Oakland Raiders
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
San Diego Chargers
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Seattle Seahawks
Tennessee Titans
NFC
East
Central
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
St. Louis Rams
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
Arizona Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carolina Panthers
The 2000s: Realignment [ ]
2002–2015 [ ]
The NFL realigns to create four divisions with four teams each in both conferences.
Arizona (NFC East) and Seattle (AFC West) join the NFC West
NFC Central renamed NFC North
AFC Central renamed AFC North
NFC South created
Tampa Bay moves from the old NFC Central
New Orleans, Atlanta, and Carolina move from the NFC West
AFC South created
Jacksonville and Tennessee move from the old AFC Central
Indianapolis moves from the AFC East
Houston Texans enfranchised
2002 is first season in NFL *
2002 –2015 NFL teams[2] [3] [4]
AFC
East
North
South
West
Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens
Houston Texans *
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Indianapolis Colts
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars
Oakland Raiders
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans
San Diego Chargers
NFC
East
North
South
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Atlanta Falcons
Arizona Cardinals
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
Carolina Panthers
St. Louis Rams
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
New Orleans Saints
San Francisco 49ers
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seattle Seahawks
2016 [ ]
St. Louis Rams return to Los Angeles after 21 seasons.[5] [6]
2016 NFL teams[2] [3] [4]
AFC
East
North
South
West
Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens
Houston Texans
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Indianapolis Colts
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars
Oakland Raiders
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans
San Diego Chargers
NFC
East
North
South
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Atlanta Falcons
Arizona Cardinals
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
Carolina Panthers
Los Angeles Rams
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
New Orleans Saints
San Francisco 49ers
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seattle Seahawks
2017–2019 [ ]
San Diego Chargers return to Los Angeles after 56 seasons.[7] [8] [9]
2017 –2019 NFL teams[2] [3] [4]
AFC
East
North
South
West
Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens
Houston Texans
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Indianapolis Colts
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars
Los Angeles Chargers
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans
Oakland Raiders
NFC
East
North
South
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Atlanta Falcons
Arizona Cardinals
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
Carolina Panthers
Los Angeles Rams
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
New Orleans Saints
San Francisco 49ers
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seattle Seahawks
2020–2021 [ ]
Oakland Raiders move to Las Vegas.[10] [11] [12]
Washington Redskins adopt the temporary name of Washington Football Team in response to controversy over their previous name .[13]
2020 –2021 NFL teams
AFC
East
North
South
West
Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens
Houston Texans
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Indianapolis Colts
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars
Las Vegas Raiders
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans
Los Angeles Chargers
NFC
East
North
South
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Atlanta Falcons
Arizona Cardinals
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
Carolina Panthers
Los Angeles Rams
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
New Orleans Saints
San Francisco 49ers
Washington Football Team
Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seattle Seahawks
2022–present [ ]
Washington Football Team renamed Washington Commanders .
2022 –present NFL teams
AFC
East
North
South
West
Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens
Houston Texans
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals
Indianapolis Colts
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars
Las Vegas Raiders
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans
Los Angeles Chargers
NFC
East
North
South
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Atlanta Falcons
Arizona Cardinals
New York Giants
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Philadelphia Eagles
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Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seattle Seahawks
See also [ ]
References [ ]
^ "Team Encyclopedias and Records" . Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 13 November 2021 .
^ a b c "Realignment for 2002" . NFL.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC. May 22, 2001. Retrieved April 3, 2016 .
^ a b c "New alignment takes effect in 2002" . ESPN Internet Ventures, LLC. Associated Press. May 22, 2001. Retrieved March 21, 2016 .
^ a b c Freeman, Mike (May 23, 2001). "PRO FOOTBALL; Owners Approve N.F.L. Realignment" . The New York Times . Retrieved March 21, 2016 .
^ Hanzus, Dan (January 12, 2016). "Rams to relocate to L.A.; Chargers first option to join" . NFL.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved January 13, 2016 .
^ "Rams to Return to Los Angeles" . TheRams.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC. January 12, 2016. Archived from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2019 .
^ "Chargers to Relocate to Los Angeles" . Chargers.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC. January 12, 2017. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2019 .
^ Knoblauch, Austin (January 12, 2017). "Chargers announce decision to relocate to Los Angeles" . NFL.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved January 15, 2017 .
^ Wilson, Ryan (January 12, 2017). "Chargers are moving to Los Angeles after 56 years in San Diego" . CBSSports.com . CBS Sports. Retrieved January 13, 2017 .
^ Rosenthal, Gregg (March 27, 2017). "NFL team owners approve Raiders' move to Las Vegas" . NFL.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved March 27, 2017 .
^ Raiders Media Relations (March 27, 2017). "Raiders Receive NFL Approval For Las Vegas Relocation" . Raiders.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved April 25, 2019 .
^ Disis, Jill; Byres, Dylan (March 27, 2017). "NFL approves Raiders' move to Las Vegas" . CNN.com . Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Retrieved April 18, 2017 .
^ Schefter, Adam (July 23, 2020). "Washington NFL team to use 'Washington Football Team' for 2020 season" . ESPN.com . Retrieved July 23, 2020 .
AFC
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Seasons History Business Other
Charter teams 1920s 1930s–50s