The longest championship droughts in NFL history

Mackenzie MeaneyMackenzie Meaney|published: Fri Jan 26 2024 20:00
source: Getty Images

With the NFC Championship coming up, the Detroit Lions are two wins away from breaking one of the longest championship droughts in NFL history. Their opponents, the San Francisco 49ers, are looking to add to their trophy collection. The Niners haven’t been champs since the mid-90s.

In honor of the potential history on the table, we break down the longest active championship droughts in the NFL.

Arizona/Chicago Cardinals

source: Getty Images

Length of drought: 77 years

Last championship: 1947 NFL Championship

What happened since last championship: The entire history of color television (1953)

Detroit Lions

source: Getty Images

Length of drought: 67 years

Last championship: 1957 NFL Championship

What happened since last championship: Alaska and Hawaii entered the United States (1959)

Cleveland Browns

source: Getty Images

Length of drought: 60 years

Last championship: 1964 NFL Championship

What happened since last championship: Invention of the Sharpie (1964)

New York Jets

source: Getty Images

Length of drought: 56

Last championship: 1968 Super Bowl

What happened since last championship: The Moon Landing (1969)

Miami Dolphins

source: Getty Images

Length of drought: 51 years

Last championship: 1973 Super Bowl

What happened since last championship: The invention of the personal computer (1980)

Las Vegas/Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

source: Getty Images

Length of drought: 41 years

Last championship: 1983 Super Bowl

What happened since last championship: Every current NFL quarterback was born (1983)

Chicago Bears

source: Getty Images

Length of drought: 39 years

Last championship: 1985 Super Bowl

What happened since last championship: The U.S. release of the Nintendo Entertainment System (1985)

Washington Commanders

source: Getty Images

Length of drought: 33 years

Last championship: 1991 Super Bowl

What happened since last championship: Launch of Hubble Telescope (1993)

San Francisco 49ers

source: Getty Images

Length of drought: 30 years

Last championship: 1994 Super Bowl

What happened since last championship: The entire run of Friends (1994)

Dallas Cowboys

source: Getty Images

Length of drought: 29 years

Last championship: 1995 Super Bowl

What happened since last championship: OJ Simpson trial (1995)

Teams without a Super Bowl victory

source: Getty Images

Atlanta Falcons (founded 1966)

Arizona Cardinals (joined the NFL as Chicago Cardinals in 1922)

Buffalo Bills (founded 1960)

Carolina Panthers (founded 1995)

Cincinnati Bengals (founded 1968)

Cleveland Browns (joined the NFL in 1950)

Detroit Lions (joined NFL as Portsmouth Spartans in 1930)

Houston Texans (founded 2002)

Jacksonville Jaguars (founded 1995)

Los Angeles Chargers (founded 1960)

Minnesota Vikings (founded 1961)

Tennessee Titans (founded as Houston Oilers in 1960)

Teams without a Super Bowl appearance

source: Getty Images

Browns

Jaguars

Lions


Texans