Record-Breaking Kicks: The Longest Punt in NFL History

· Jul 22 - 6 minutes read

Steve O’Neal has the record for the longest punt in NFL history at 98 yards.
Robert Bailey posted the longest NFL punt return ever at 103 yards.
Let’s check out the NFL news around the best punts, field goals, and returns in the sport’s history.

Quarterbacks may get all the attention, but NFL games often come down to the work of specialists like punters and kickers. To quote Rich Eisen, “punters are people, too.” Let’s dive into the longest punt in NFL history and some of the most memorable special teams plays ever.

Record-Breaking Kicks: The Longest Punt in NFL History — Dwayne Harris #17 of the Oakland Raiders | Daniel Shirey/Getty Images/AFP

The Raiders hold a record that most fans do not want to have. The most punts in a game belongs to the Raiders who had 16 against the Chargers in 1998. As for the shortest punt in NFL history, former Giants punter Sean Landeta has the record for a negative 7-yard kick in 1985. Yes, that means the ball went backward instead of forward.

Here’s a rundown of some of the best special teams plays in NFL history.

Punts, Kicks and Returns: The Best in NFL History

1. Jets Punter Steve O’Neal’s 98-Yard Punt in 1969 Is the Longest in NFL History

So, who holds the record for the longest punt in NFL history and how long was the kick?

You may be surprised to learn that the NFL record for the longest punt is a whopping 98 yards. Jets punter Steve O’Neal shattered all NFL predictions by setting the record as a rookie in 1969. Not bad for a 13th-round pick.

Now, it may have helped that O’Neal completed the punt in Denver and the altitude likely didn’t hurt at the old Mile High Stadium. O’Neal feels pretty confident that his record is going to last.

“I guess, statistically, it could be broken,” O’Neal told the media in 2015. “But if you had a 99-yarder, it’s going to come back out 20 yards as a touchback, so effectively, a 98-yarder is the best you can have.”

For context, the NFL average punt distance is about 45 yards. Seahawks specialist Michael Dickson is one of the best punters in the NFL. Let’s keep an eye on if the Seahawks punter can ever take a shot at this long-standing record.

2. Former Rams Corner Robert Bailey Holds the Record for the Longest NFL Punt Return at 103 Yards During a 1994 Game

There are a lot of players on the field during punts, but the two key athletes are the punter and the return specialist. The longest punt return in NFL history surpasses the 100-yard field.

Former Rams cornerback Robert Bailey started a 1994 punt return in the end zone only to run 103 yards for a touchdown. Bailey has certainly taken advantage of his status with his X handle: @NFLRecord.

On this day in 1994, Rams CB Robert Bailey returned a punt 103 yards for a touchdown in one of the wildest plays and most heads up plays in NFL history.

That play was an NFL record, hence his Twitter handle: @NFLRecord. pic.twitter.com/lQ3Sh8KBt4

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 23, 2021

As you can see from the clip, this was a bit of a bizarre play with the ball nearly touching the out-of-bounds strip in the end zone. Instead, Bailey picked it up on the bounce and began to return the punt. The Saints thought the play was dead and did not attempt to tackle Bailey.

The Rams’ corner ran the punt into the end zone untouched. If you watch the play, you will see this record is going to be hard to break given how close Bailey was to the back of the end zone.

3. Dwayne Harris Is Next in Line With a 99-Yard Return for the Raiders in 2018

Chances are you were not locked into the NFL during the 1994 season. The next person on the NFL record list is a more recent addition.

During a 2018 matchup against the Broncos (yes, they make the list again as an opponent), Harris ran back an improbable 99-yard punt return to move just behind Bailey in the NFL record books. The specialist narrowly escaped being tackled for a safety.

Dwayne Harris takes it 99 yards to the house in Oakland on a memorable Monday Night.#GBvsLV pic.twitter.com/Wd9W6ZtMV7

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 5, 2023

It is indeed a game of inches.

4. You Guessed It, Ravens Icon Justin Tucker Holds the Longest NFL Kick at 66 Yards

As for the longest NFL kick, let’s focus on field goals. Ravens specialist Justin Tucker may be the GOAT of NFL field goal kickers.

Tucker nailed a 66-yard field goal in 2021 against the Lions. Not only is this an NFL record, but it also won the game for Baltimore over Detroit. Tucker candidly admitted that his pre-game warmup was “terrible,” and yet the legend would break the NFL record for longest kick hours later.

“I had a terrible pregame warmup,” Tucker told the media in 2023. “I just could not get the ball to go. I just felt physically not there.”

Justin Tucker from 66 Yards.

The rest, as they say, is history! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/1WDavYXJBA

— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) October 21, 2023

Tucker did need the assistance of the crossbar for the ball to go through the uprights. Sometimes you need to be both good and lucky.

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5. Punter Johnny Hekker Boomed a 65-Yard Punt for the Rams to Notch the Super Bowl Record

Okay, so what about the longest punt in Super Bowl history? That record belongs to former Rams punter Johnny Hekker.

It will surprise absolutely no one to learn that Hekker set the record in one of the most boring Super Bowls in recent memory. Hekker boomed a 65-yard punt for the Rams against the Patriots during the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta.

Just in case you are wondering about the longest completed pass in NFL history, several quarterbacks hold this record with a 99-yard pass. Most recently, Eli Manning and Tom Brady both tied the record in 2011.

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