Why these over-30 NFL players won't slow down anytime soon
The 30-year-old threshold in the NFL is that territory that teeters near the point where players' production starts to dip.
Of course, it depends on the position the player suits up at, but it's not uncommon to see playing time, speed, reaction time and – ultimately – stats fall off after a player's 30th birthday. That decline comes for every player, but some seem to somehow defy age and even appear to improve as time goes on.
With the NFL season set to kick off next Thursday when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans, here are seven players older than 30 who won't slow down in 2020.
Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan
Entering his 10th season in the league, Jordan, 31, is one of those players whose numbers are just getting better with each year. In 2017, Jordan was a first-team All-Pro when he collected a then-career best 13 sacks. Last year, when Jordan earned his fifth Pro Bowl nod – and third consecutive – he posted a new career best in sacks with 15.5.
While Jordan's ability to get to the quarterback is what makes him most valuable to New Orleans, his versatility shouldn't be overlooked. He can slide inside on passing downs to give the Saints even more pass-rushing juice and also contributes in stopping the run.
Eagles center Jason Kelce
Not only is he still producing, Kelce is almost certainly the best center in football. An integral part of establishing the protections alongside quarterback Carson Wentz, Kelce is also a force in Philadelphia's steady rushing game.
Perhaps most impressive for a player of Kelce's age – he'll turn 33 in November – is his dependability; Kelce has started all 16 games in each of the last five seasons.
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49ers cornerback Richard Sherman
Four years after he last made an appearance on the All-Pro list, Sherman excelled in 2019 under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Sherman, now 32, had 11 passes defended, three interceptions and one touchdown.
Though he had a rough Super Bowl performance in the loss against the Chiefs, Sherman's awareness and intelligence are second to none. Since he doesn't necessarily depend on speed, his skill set is built for longevity. A master at understanding positioning and how to use his body and length to disrupt timing, Sherman is one of the game's best – and should be for some time to come. It's easy to forget he tore his right Achilles tendon in 2017.
Falcons receiver Julio Jones
One of those players who seems to have been around for even longer than he has, Jones is already entering his 10th season in the NFL at the age of 31. And while his speed will eventually decline, he remains one of the most explosive athletes in the entire league.
Jones has a few things in his favor at a position that can be taxing. The Falcons are smart about his usage in practice and give him ample time to recuperate. And his long-time connection with quarterback Matt Ryan makes a steep drop off all the more unlikely. Jones hasn't finished outside of the top three in the NFL in receiving yardage since 2013, when he played in just five games due to a foot injury. There's no reason to think he'll drop out in 2020.
Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell
Given that he has made three consecutive Pro Bowls, including a first-team All-Pro nod in 2017, it's easy to forget that Campbell is 34, a birthday he celebrated Tuesday.
Campbell joins a Ravens team that has a track record of making aging defensive linemen shine. And Campbell's versatility – he can play on the interior of the line as well as rush off the edge – means that Baltimore can be creative in how it deploys him and can even make sure it doesn't overwork him.
Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones
Arguably the most underrated player in the NFL, Jones has steadily become one of the more productive pass rushers in the entire league. Jones turned 30 in February, but his role in Arizona might extend his prime.
While he was a defensive end and tasked to help more in rushing defense, his sack totals were solid. But last year, Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph moved Jones to outside linebacker, allowing him to shed some weight and freeing him up to focus on getting to the quarterback. The move paid off and he even flirted with former Giant Michael Strahan's single-season sack record (22.5), when he racked up 19.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson
No offense to a few young bucks in Lamar Jackson of the Ravens, Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs – both of whom have won the last two NFL Most Valuable Player awards – and Deshaun Watson of the Texans, but Wilson might be next for this year's MVP.
The epitome of efficiency, age is only adding more weapons to Wilson's game. Last season, he threw a career-low five interceptions. His pocket presence is among the league's best, and even when he's flushed outside, he maintains his vision downfield and looks to distribute the ball. That only reduces the hits he'll take. He'll turn 32 in November, but if the last several years are any indication, Wilson is only getting better. And quarterback is the one position where players can age and play at a high level well into their 40s.
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