List of NFL franchise post-season droughts

This is a list of current and former National Football League (NFL) franchise droughts (multiple consecutive seasons of not reaching a certain achievement) related to the post-season and Super Bowl. The length of a drought is the number of seasons since the last time a franchise achieved a certain milestone. For a milestone that a franchise has never achieved, the length of the corresponding drought is equal to the number of seasons the franchise has been active.

All 32 active NFL teams have qualified for the playoffs and won at least one playoff game in their history. Of the 12 teams that have never won the Super Bowl, the seven who predate the institution of the game (the Cardinals, Lions, Oilers/Titans, Chargers, Browns, Bills, and Vikings) had all won an NFL or AFL championship prior to the AFL–NFL merger. In the case of the Vikings, however, the Super Bowl existed at the time they won their only league title (in 1969). Thus, the Vikings along with the other five teams (the Falcons, Bengals, Panthers, Jaguars and Texans, whose history is no older than the Super Bowl itself) are the only franchises to have never won the highest championship available to them. The Cardinals own the longest drought since a championship of any kind, at 78 seasons.

Note that for continuity purposes, the Cleveland Browns are officially considered to have suspended operations for the 1996, 1997, and 1998 seasons. Since returning 27 years ago, they have only made the playoffs three times, while the Baltimore Ravens are considered to be a separate team that began play in 1996. The Ravens, as a result of the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy, absorbed the Browns' personnel upon their suspension, but not their history.

Sortable table, click on the header arrows.

This is also a list of the last time a particular club won a wild card playoff game or had a first-round bye.

• ^a The Las Vegas Raiders last appeared in the AFC Divisional playoff game as the Oakland Raiders.

This is also a list of the last time a particular club won a divisional playoff game.

• ^a The Browns were dormant from 1996–1998. Since returning 27 years ago, the Browns have never played in an AFC Championship Game.
• ^b The Las Vegas Raiders last appeared in the AFC Championship Game as the Oakland Raiders.
• ^c The Los Angeles Chargers last appeared in the AFC Championship Game as the San Diego Chargers.

This is also the last time club won AFC or NFC championship game.

• ^a The Browns are considered to have suspended operation from 1996–1998. Since returning in 1999, or 27 years ago they have never appeared in the Super Bowl, while the franchise that moved in 1995, has made two appearances in the Super Bowl since the relocation controversy.
• ^b The Washington Commanders last appeared in the Super Bowl as the Washington Redskins.
• ^c The Los Angeles Chargers last appeared in the Super Bowl as the San Diego Chargers.
• ^d The Las Vegas Raiders last appeared in the Super Bowl as the Oakland Raiders.

This list also counts all seasons since a team last won the league championship or Super Bowl. Of active NFL teams, 20 have won the Super Bowl, 7 have not won a Super Bowl, but have won an AFL or NFL championship pre-merger, and 5 have not won any championship or Super Bowl.

• ^a Team won as the Chicago Cardinals in 1947.
• ^b Team won as the Houston Oilers in 1961.
• ^c Team won as the San Diego Chargers in 1963.
• ^e Super Bowl was first played in the 1966-67 season, while the final official NFL or AFL championship games pre-AFL-NFL merger were played in 1969.

This list counts all seasons since a team last won the Super Bowl.

• ^d The Browns suspended operation from 1996–1998. Since returning in 1999, or 27 years ago they have never won the Super Bowl, while the franchise that moved in 1995, has won the Super Bowl twice since the relocation controversy.
• ^f Team won Super Bowl XVIII as the Los Angeles Raiders.
• ^g Team won Super Bowl XXVI as the Washington Redskins

Listed according to seasons waited. Current NFL cities/regions only.

Listed according to seasons waited.

**Does not include the three seasons (1996–1998) during which the franchise suspended operations.

Counted from the first Super Bowl season, 1966, to present.

• ^a First round in the 1982 playoffs for the Vikings, Bengals, Falcons, Chargers, Cardinals, Browns, and Lions.
• ^b Second round in the 1982 playoffs for the Vikings and Chargers.

This list only shows droughts of 30 or more seasons for teams. A championship is considered as winning an NFL Championship (1920—1969), AFL Championship (1960—1969), or Super Bowl Championship (1966—present). Active droughts are listed in bold type.

This list only shows droughts of 30 or more seasons for teams. A championship appearance is listed as appearing in an NFL Championship (1932—1969), AFL Championship (1960—1969), or Super Bowl Championship (1966—present). Active droughts are listed in bold type.

This is a sortable table of all 32 current NFL teams. Ten teams have multiple losing streaks where they lost an equal number of post season games before breaking the drought.

Updated through the 2025-26 playoffs

Note that the NFL did not institute a permanent playoff tournament until 1967 and that the NFL Championship Game and any impromptu one-game playoffs (played only in the event of a tie atop the division standings) were the only postseason matchups in this era. The Bert Bell Benefit Bowl (aka the Playoff Bowl; 1960–1969) is considered an exhibition game for the purpose of this list.

Updated through 2025-26 playoffs

• List of NFL franchise post-season streaks
• List of last undefeated NFL teams by season
• List of MLB franchise post-season droughts
• List of NHL franchise post-season droughts
• List of MLS club post-season droughts
• List of NBA franchise postseason droughts