How Long is The Average Career of an NFL Player?
The average career length of National Football League (NFL) players varies greatly depending on the player’s position and experience. While the average lifespan of an NFL player is around 3.3 years, this doesn’t tell the whole story.
Average Career Length of Different Positions
Quarterbacks usually have the longest career average of around 6-7 years while running backs and wide receivers generally have a shorter average of around 4-6 years. Linebackers, defensive ends, and defensive backs typically have the longest NFL careers with an average of around 5-8 years.
Factors Determining Average Career Length
The average career length of an NFL player can be influenced by a number of factors:
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1. Player’s Position: As already mentioned, the average career length of NFL players depends on their position. Certain positions correspond with shorter lifespans due to physical demands and potential for injury.
2. Experience: Experience is an important factor in determining an NFL player’s career length. Players with more experience are more likely to have longer careers.
3. Luck: As with any professional sport, luck plays a role in any player’s career. Injuries and untimely illnesses can significantly shorten a player’s chances of having a longer career.
4. Physical Ability: An NFL player’s physical ability and health changes as they get older. As players get older, their bodies become more prone to injuries and fatigue, which can limit their career lifespan.
Overall, the average career length of an NFL player varies greatly depending on their position and experience. The consensus from different studies, however, is that the average lifespan of an NFL player is around 3.3 years.