For four decades, New Orleans Saints kicker Tom Dempsey held the record for the longest field goal in NFL history. In 1970, he drilled a 63-yard game-winner to defeat the Detroit Lions, and his record stood for 43 years.
Then, in 2013, a new record-holder would emerge.
Over the last dozen years, two legendary kickers managed to break Dempsey’s record and carve their names into the NFL record books. Kickers are some of the most underappreciated professional athletes, so let’s show them some love and examine the longest field goals of all time in the NFL regular season and postseason. We’ll also take a look at the longest kicks of the 2024 campaign.
What Are the Longest Fields Goals in NFL History?
There are four kickers tied for the fourth-longest field goal in NFL history (62 yards) and seven kickers tied for the third-longest field goal of all time (63 yards). Let’s revisit each of those kicks.
T-10) Matt Prater, Arizona Cardinals
Length: 62 yards
When: Sep. 24, 2023
Matt Prater appears on this list quite a bit, as the two-time Pro Bowler actually holds the record for most 50+ yard field goals made in NFL history. At 40 years old, he continues to kick for the Cardinals, and he drilled a 62-yarder last season in Arizona’s Week 3 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Heading into halftime, the Cardinals drove down the field and gave Prater the opportunity to kick the 62-yarder. Prater connected on the line-drive shot, giving the Cardinals a 21-10 lead entering halftime. Arizona would go on to pull off the upset win over Dallas, 28-16.
T-10) Brett Maher, Dallas Cowboys
Length: 62 yards
When: Oct. 20, 2019
Brett Maher’s stint with the Dallas Cowboys featured plenty of ups and downs. After taking over the job from longtime great Greg Zuerlein, Maher dazzled with some exceptional clutch kicks but also dealt with injuries and struggles.
Still, there’s no question that Maher has a boot, as evidenced by the fact that he appears twice on this list. On Dec. 8, 2018, Maher kicked a game-winning 62-yarder in overtime to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles, 29-23.
T-10) Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots
Length: 62 yards
When: Nov. 19, 2017
Back in 2017, the New England Patriots and then-Oakland Raiders were facing off in Mexico as part of the NFL International Series. Stephen Gostkowski impressed the crowd at Estadio Azteca, kicking a 62-yard bomb as time expired to end the first half.
Gostkowski had the tough task of replacing Adam Vinatieri after he left New England to join the Indianapolis Colts. While he had huge shoes to fill, Gostkowski developed his own legacy as a Patriots great, becoming a three-time Super Bowl champion, four-time Pro Bowler, five-time NFL scoring leader, and three-time All-Pro. Also, Gostkowski was named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team.
T-10) Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Length: 62 yards
When: Oct. 22, 2006
Once again, the Eagles were on the wrong side of a historically long field goal. This time around, it was Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Bryant, who managed a 62-yard game-winning field goal back in 2006. Bryant drilled this kick as time expired to seal the game 23-21. Bryant would play 19 seasons in the NFL, becoming a Pro Bowler and leading the NFL in scoring in 2016. However, he’s most remembered for this incredible kick.
T-4) Joey Slye, New England Patriots
Length: 63 yards
When: Sept. 29, 2024
As time expired in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye drilled a 63-yarder. The Pats were trailing 20-0 at the time, but this kick got them on the board. Putting up points hasn’t been easy for the 2024 Patriots, but having a weapon like Slye who can kick field goals from this deep is definitely a plus for New England’s special teams unit.
Joey Slye drills a 63-yard field goal!
📺: #NEvsSF on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/kPt0QKfAon— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
T-4) Brett Maher, Dallas Cowboys
Length: 63 yards
When: Oct. 20, 2019
Maher is known for connecting regularly from deep. During his prime, he made 50+ yard kicks look easy. He became the first kicker in NFL history to make two field goals of at least 62 yards in his career. To this day, he’s responsible for the four longest fields in Cowboys history, with makes from 63, 62, 62, and 60 yards.
On Oct. 20, 2019, Maher was given an opportunity to kick a 62-yarder right before halftime against (you guessed it) the Eagles in front of the home crowd at AT&T Stadium. Maher drilled it, and Dallas ultimately won the game 37-10.
T-4) Graham Gano, Carolina Panthers
Length: 63 yards
When: Oct. 7, 2018
Panthers kicker Graham Gano is tied for the third-longest NFL field goal in history thanks to his 63-yard make against the New York Giants in 2018. Not only is this tied for the third longest, but it’s also tied for the second-longest game-winning field goal in NFL history. Gano became one of the most consistent kickers in the modern era.
T-4) David Akers, San Francisco 49ers
Length: 63 yards
When: Sept. 9, 2012
David Akers, the left-footed phenom, spent an impressive 16 years in the NFL. In 2012, he tied the then-record for the longest field goal with a 63-yard kick outdoors at Lambeau Field. Akers got just enough on the field goal, as the football bounced off the crossbar and through the uprights. San Francisco went on to win the game, 30-22.
On this day in 2012, the #49ers beat the #Packers at Lambeau Field to start the season.
The big highlight of the game was David Akers tying the then-NFL record for longest field goal made at 63 yards.
(Via @nflthrowback) #Random49ers pic.twitter.com/tWEONGnIvd
— #Random49ers (@Random49ers) September 9, 2021
Akers made many clutch kicks during his NFL career.
T-4) Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders
Length: 63 yards
When: Sept. 12, 2011
Sebastian Janikowski was an elite kicker with one of the most powerful legs in NFL history. The Raiders were openly mocked when they selected him with a first-round pick, but the former Florida State Seminoles kicker ended up having a long, successful career.
In 2011, during a Monday Night Football matchup against the Denver Broncos, he drilled a 63-yard field goal in Mile High.
While Janikowski is remembered for being the only kicker drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, he created plenty of memorable moments throughout his 18-year career, including this kick against the Broncos.
T-4) Jason Elam, Denver Broncos
Length: 63 yards
When: Oct. 25, 1998
If you’re a Broncos fan, there’s a good chance you know who Jason Elam is, as he played nearly his entire NFL career with Denver. Elam became the first kicker to tie Tom Dempsey’s longstanding record, doing so 28 years after Dempsey’s field goal.
“You never go into a game thinking you’re gonna have an opportunity for that.”
Jason Elam relives his record-tying 63-yard field goal: pic.twitter.com/NXgYb5GXxF
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 6, 2020
The kick was a thing of beauty. Some naysayers point to the fact that Elam was kicking at Mile High as the reason he was able to tie Dempsey’s long-standing record. (Janikowski’s 63-yarder in 2011 was also in Denver).
However, Elam was a phenomenal kicker who was a two-time Super Bowl champion and three-time Pro Bowler. The altitude in Mile High may have played a factor, but this shouldn’t diminish this achievement.
T-4) Tom Dempsey, New Orleans Saints
Length: 63 yards
When: Nov. 8, 1970
Tom Dempsey has one of the most interesting and unique stories in NFL history. What he managed to accomplish in his time with the Saints is nothing short of incredible. Although this particular feat took place more than 50 years ago, it remains arguably the greatest kick of all time.
Tom Dempsey’s historic 63-yard field goal on Nov. 8, 1970 pic.twitter.com/UcZNBoOw9t
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 5, 2020
What made this particular kick so special? Well, Dempsey was born without toes on his right foot, which he kicked with, so he wore a custom-built flat-front kicking boot. (He also had no fingers on his right hand). Given the circumstances, kicking a 63-yard game-winning field goal is even more impressive.
Dempsey’s record stood for four decades. It’s also worth noting that this was back when goalposts were in the middle of the end-zone and not in the back of the scoring area, something the league changed in 1974.
3) Matt Prater, Denver Broncos
Length: 64 yards
When: Dec. 8, 2013
Another record-breaking kick in the Denver altitude! This time, it was Prater who successfully surpassed Dempsey during the first half of an eventual 28-15 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
KEEP READING: Ranking the Best Kickers in NFL History
Did the altitude in Mile High Stadium play a role? Perhaps. But Prater was one of the best kickers in the NFL and known to have one of the game’s strongest legs, which is why he’s on this list twice.
2) Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
Length: 65 yards
When: Sept. 22, 2024
While many of the kicks on this list occurred at the end of a half, Aubrey’s near-record-setting 65-yard field goal occurred with 6:38 remaining in the first quarter, which shows just how much Mike McCarthy and Co. trust their kicker.
BRANDON AUBREY FROM 65 YARDS!
📺: #BALvsDAL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/vWfyguDXdU— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
Aubrey’s kick came on 4th and 12, and the 29-year-old drilled it with ease. He definitely could’ve made it from several yards out, if needed. Aubrey certainly seems like a candidate to make history and eventually kick the longest field goal in league history. But for now, that title belongs to…
1) Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
Length: 66 yards
When: Sept. 26, 2021
In 2021, future Hall-of-Famer Justin Tucker kicked what would become not only the longest field goal ever made but also the longest game-winning field goal of all time when he connected on a 66-yarder as time expired to defeat the Detroit Lions, 19-17.
DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?!?!
JUSTIN TUCKER 66-YARD FIELD GOAL FOR THE WIN! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/LyHkSUiwk9
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2021
Tucker will go down as one of the greatest kickers in NFL history, so it is fitting that he has the record. Tucker has been automatic for the Ravens throughout his NFL career.
What Are the Longest Field Goals of the 2024 Season?
Kickers are more accurate than ever, leading to a record-setting pace for 50-yard field goals in the 2024 NFL season. Below are the 19 longest field goals made as of Week 11.
T-13) Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
Length: 57 yards
When: Nov. 3, 2024
Brandon Aubrey’s 57-yarder in Week 9 came in Dak Prescott’s final game of the season before a torn hamstring ended his campaign.
T-13) Chad Ryland, Arizona Cardinals
Length: 57 yards
When: Oct. 27, 2024
A midseason pickup, Chad Ryland has already hit three game-winning field goals for the Arizona Cardinals. Ryland’s 57-yarder in Week 8 vs. the Miami Dolphins didn’t win the game, but it was significantly further than his walk-off 34-yarder.
T-13) Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings
Length: 57 yards
When: Oct. 20, 2024
Will Reichard came within one yard of his career long against the Detroit Lions in Week 7. However, this would be the first loss of the season for the 5-0 Vikings, who were the last unbeaten team in the NFC.
T-13) Matt Prater, Arizona Cardinals
Length: 57 yards
When: Sept. 15, 2024
Prater renewed his license as the best long-range kicker in NFL history with a 57-yarder in the Cardinals’ Week 2 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Prater has 81 career field goals of 50+ yards, which is easily the most in NFL history (no other kicker has made even 60 FG from 50 or more yards).
T-13) Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
Length: 57 yards
When: Sept. 8, 2024
The Cowboys kicker will appear plenty of times on this list. This 57-yarder late in the second quarter of Dallas’ Week 1 win over the Browns was his longest kick that counted in the game. He would have made a record-tying 66-yard FG had it not been for a delay of game penalty that nullified the kick.
Wow 😩
Brandon Aubrey would have tied the NFL record for longest FG with this attempt… But there was a delay of game penalty.
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/DpDiVfcRkz
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 8, 2024
T-13) Blake Grupe, New Orleans Saints
Length: 57 yards
When: Sept. 8, 2024
The Saints’ second-year kicker made the longest FG of his career on the second drive of the season. New Orleans’ starting offense would score on every drive in a 47-10 win over the Panthers.
T-13) Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Length: 57 yards
When: Sept. 8, 2024
Boswell made field goals from 56 and 57 yards out as part of his franchise record-tying six FG performance in the Steelers’ 18-10 Week 1 win at Atlanta. He was the first kicker in Steelers history to make multiple FGs of 56+ yards in the same game.
T-10) Jake Bates, Detroit Lions
Length: 58 yards
When: Nov. 10, 2024
In a thrilling Sunday Night Football game against the Houston Texans, Jake Bates tied the game late in the fourth quarter 23-23 thanks to a 58-yard field goal, which is tied for the sixth-longest of the 2024 NFL Season. Bates, a Detroit hero, rose to stardom thanks to his massive success in the UFL before being brought into the NFL.
T-10) Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons
Length: 58 yards
When: Sept. 29, 2024
Koo’s 58-yard FG on the final drive was the longest game-winning field goal in Falcons history and delivered a 26-24 win over the rival Saints.
YOUNGHOE KOO FROM 58 YARDS FOR THE LEAD WITH TWO SECONDS LEFT! pic.twitter.com/8b2A4SlWKm
— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
T-10) Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings
Length: 58 yards
When: Sept. 22, 2024
Reichard’s field goal came in a 34-7 Week 3 win over the Houston Texans. It’s the second-longest field goal in Vikings history, trailing only a 61-yard game-winner by Greg Joseph in 2022 vs the New York Giants.
T-5) Ka’imi Fairbairn
Length: 59 yards
When: Sept. 15, 2024
Fairbairn’s field goal was the second-longest in Texans history, coming at the end of the first half in Houston’s Week 2 win over the Bears. He began the season with six 50-yard field goals in the first two games, the most in a two-game span in NFL history.
T-5) Ka’imi Fairbairn
Length: 59 yards
When: Oct. 6, 2024
Fairbairn matched himself for the second-longest field goal in Texans history just three weeks later against the Buffalo Bills. His 59-yarder ended up being the game-winner, delivering Houston a thrilling 23-20 win.
T-5) Jason Myers
Length: 59 yards
When: Oct. 20, 2024
Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers hit from 59 yards out in Atlanta in Week 7. It was the second-longest field goal in Seahawks history, behind Myers’ own 61-yarder in 2020.
T-5) Cameron Dicker
Length: 59 yards
When: Oct. 21, 2024
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker hit from 59 yards out in Arizona on Monday Night Football in Week 7. Dicker’s field goal was tied for the longest in Chargers history.
T-5) Cam Little
Length: 59 yards
When: Nov. 17, 2024
Not much has gone right for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, but Cam Little delivered a highlight with a 59-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of their Week 11 game vs. the Detroit Lions. The field goal tied the longest made kick in Jaguars history.
4) Tyler Bass
Length: 61 yards
When: Nov. 03, 2024
In what was basically a must-win for the Miami Dolphins in Week 9 of the season, the Buffalo Bills and kicker Tyler Bass ruined the day for Dolphins fans in a back-and-forth battle. With less than five seconds left on the clock, Bass kicked a 61-yard field goal, the longest of the season for him, to give Buffalo a 30-27 win, moving them to 7-2 and giving them a massive edge in the AFC East.
3) Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
Length: 60 yards
When: Sept. 26, 2024
Aubrey’s long-distance kicking clinic continued in the Cowboys’ Week 4 Thursday night win over the New York Giants. This 60-yarder gave him two on the season, making him the second kicker in NFL history to make multiple 60-yard FGs in a season. The other was also a Cowboys kicker, Brett Maher, in 2022.
2) Joey Slye, New England Patriots
Length: 63 yards
When: Sept. 29, 2024
The Patriots offense hasn’t had much going for it in the 2024 season, but Slye ensured they wouldn’t be shut out in the first half of their Week 4 loss vs the San Francisco 49ers. His 63-yarder at the halftime buzzer was the longest in Patriots history, eclipsing a 62-yarder from Stephen Gostkowski.
Joey Slye drills a 63-yard field goal!
📺: #NEvsSF on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/kPt0QKfAon— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
1) Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
Length: 65 yards
When: Sept. 22, 2024
If not for Aubrey, the Cowboys’ early-season offensive struggles would have been even more pronounced. His 65-yarder in their Week 3 loss vs the Baltimore Ravens was the second-longest made field goal in NFL history. He trailed only the kicker on the opposing sideline, Justin Tucker, who made a 66-yarder in 2021 vs the Detroit Lions.
BRANDON AUBREY FROM 65 YARDS!
📺: #BALvsDAL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/vWfyguDXdU— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
What’s the Longest Field Goal Attempt in NFL History?
Although Justin Tucker holds the record for the longest field goal in NFL history, there have been unsuccessful attempts longer than 66 yards.
In 2008, right before halftime against the then-San Diego Chargers, Janikowski attempted an insane 76-yard field goal.
Obviously, it came up short, and the Raiders ultimately lost 28-18.
What Is the Longest Field Goal in Playoff History?
Graham Gano not only drilled one of the longest regular-season field goals in NFL history, he also kicked the longest field goal in the NFL postseason.
In 2018, Gano booted a 58-yard field goal for the Panthers, which tied the NFL-playoff record for the longest. Gano tied Miami Dolphins kicker Pete Stoyanovich, who also booted a 58-yarder in 1991.
Bills kicker Tyler Bass holds the record for the longest postseason field goal by a rookie, as he kicked a 54-yarder against the Colts during the Wild Card round in 2021.
The record for the longest field goal in Super Bowl history used to belong to Buffalo Bills kicker Steve Christie. Back in Super Bowl XXVIII, Christie, who was known for his ability to kick clutch field goals even in bad weather conditions, drilled a 54-yard field goal.
However, Christie’s record was broken in 2024 during Super Bowl LVIII — twice!
San Francisco 49ers rookie kicker Jake Moody successfully kicked a 55-yard field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs early in the second quarter to break Christie’s record. He held the record for just over a quarter. Midway through the third quarter, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker kicked a 57-yard field goal to break Moody’s Super Bowl record.
What Is the Longest Field Goal in Preseason History?
On August 17, 2024, Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey successfully completed a 66-yard field goal right before halftime of the Cowboys-Raiders preseason contest.
If this was in the regular season, Aubrey would’ve tied Tucker for the longest field goal in NFL history. Instead, he holds the record for the longest preseason field goal.
SMOOTH LIKE BUTTER 😮💨
📺: #DALvsLV on CBS 11
📲: Stream on NFL+ ➡️ https://t.co/LvklCbZgQM pic.twitter.com/zsoxoNPtNn— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 18, 2024
According to Next Gen Stats, Aubrey’s kick would have been successful from 72 yards, which would have shattered Tucker’s record.