Latest On NFL
Latest News
Steelers Legend Sounds Off on Aaron Rodgers’ Return as Mike McCarthy Already Faces Hot Seat Pressure
57 mins ago
Travis Kelce Receives Strong Hall of Fame Message From Drew Brees Amid Chiefs TE’s Retirement Talks
1 hr ago
Maxx Crosby Details What He Wants After Making Stance Clear to Tom Brady on Raiders Exit
1 hr ago
Giants Make Final Decision on Hiring Joe Burrow’s Ex-Coach for Jaxson Dart – Report
1 hr ago
Congratulations Pour In as Ex-Steelers Star Announces Retirement
1 hr ago
Most Loved Stories
Best of NFL
More on NFL
[Exclusive] CardVault Co-Founder Chris Costa Reveals How Tom Brady Masterminded Success in $33B Industry
In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, CardVault's co-founder, Chris Costa talked about how Tom Brady influenced the business.
Mac Jones Confirms Stance on 49ers Exit Rumors as Kyle Shanahan Makes Trade Decision
Mac Jones responds to 49ers' trade speculation as Kyle Shanahan signals San Francisco's intentions with the QB in the 2026 season.
Exclusive: Ravens’ Roquan Smith on John Harbaugh’s Exit, Super Bowl Expectations and Jesse Minter
Baltimore Ravens five-time All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith spoke to EssentiallySports about several different NFL topics.
Drake Maye’s Strong Stance on Will Campbell Criticism After Pats Rookie Broke Silence on Super Bowl Media Snub
Drake Maye defends Will Campbell following criticism as the Patriots rookie addresses his media snub after Super Bowl LX.
Andy Reid Gets Troubling Update on Chiefs Roster as Former TE Demands Trent McDuffie Trade
Andy Reid receives a troubling Chiefs roster update as a former tight end urges a Trent McDuffie trade amid the team's growing cap concerns.
Klint Kubiak Reveals Latest Conversation With Maxx Crosby While Confirming Plans for Fernando Mendoza
The new Raiders head coach, Klint Kubiak, reflected on the recent talk with Maxx Crosby while reflecting on the plans for Fernando Mendoza.
Micah Parsons Announces Condition for Leaving Packers, Sends Strong Message to NFL
Micah Parsons reveals what could persuade him to leave the Green Bay Packers after joining the NFC North before the 2025 season.
Dan Quinn Confirms Jayden Daniels’ Role in Kliff Kingsbury’s Exit as Commanders Announce Coaching Change
Head coach Dan Quinn details Jayden Daniels’ influence as the Commanders refresh their coaching staff following Kingsbury’s exit.
Sam Darnold Makes Personal Announcement for Seattle as Seahawks QB Suffers 6-Figure Setback After Super Bowl LX
Super Bowl-winning quarterback Sam Darnold recently made a personal announcement amid a financial setback after Super Bowl LX.
Joe Brady Makes Double Offseason Move for Josh Allen Amid Bills’ A. J. Brown Trade Rumors
Joe Brady bolsters Josh Allen’s offense with two signings after the Buffalo Bills are linked to a potential trade for A.J. Brown.
CeeDee Lamb Makes Personal Announcement With George Pickens as Cowboys Consider Franchise Tagging WR
Ceedee Lamb supports George Pickens as the Cowboys face big decisions on his contract and long-term future.
Michael Penix Jr. Clears Stance on Falcons Return With a Message on Kirk Cousins
Michael Penix Jr. clears his stance on Falcons return and shares a message on Kirk Cousins, recovery, and future focus.
49ers Legend Steve Young Makes Offseason Plea to Front Office After Kyle Shanahan Addresses Super Bowl Struggles
49ers legend Steve Young urges the front office to prioritize roster building after coach Kyle Shanahan opens up on Super Bowl struggle.
Bill Cowher Sends Strong QB Message to 31 NFL Teams After Sam Darnold’s Success
NFL legend Bill Cowher delivers a clear warning to 31 NFL teams, using Sam Darnold’s breakout success as proof of patience at quarterback.
Seahawks Free Agency Forecast: What’s Next for Kenneth Walker III, Rashid Shaheed & More
The Seattle Seahawks are about to experience the downside of winning the Super Bowl, will they be able to retain their top free agents?
Sean McVay Expected to Draft Matthew Stafford’s Replacement After Rams QB’s Final Retirement Decision
The Rams are expected to go after a rookie quarterback in the NFL Draft amid Matthew Stafford's retirement decision
Is This the Beginning of a Seahawks Dynasty? Latest ES Poll Says Overwhelmingly ‘NO’
The Seattle Seahawks dominated their way to their second franchise Super Bowl. Are they the NFL's next dynasty?
Dolphins to Cut Ties With Tyreek Hill After Making Final Decision on Tua Tagovailoa’s Future – Report
Miami Dolphins may move on from Tyreek Hill after a tough 2025 season as salary cap pressure and roster changes shape the offseason.
Jalen Hurts Urged to Make Trade Demand From Eagles as Nick Sirianni Faces Tough Contract Decision
Jalen Hurts holds total power over the Eagles. Will Philly bend to his contract demands or risk losing their Super Bowl QB?
What the 2000 Ravens, 2013 Seahawks, and 2015 Broncos Reveal About Seattle’s Super Bowl Win
The Seattle Seahawks' dominant season mirrored that of the greatest defensive teams ever, such as the Ravens, Seahawks, and Broncos.
Brutally Honest Grades For Every NFL Team’s 2025 Season
Here are my final 2025 season grades for all 32 NFL teams. Read to find out which teams stand best and worst this time on EssentiallySports.
Condolences Pour In From DeMarvion Overshown After Cowboys SuperFan Tragically Passes Away
Heartbreak hits Cowboys Nation: Iconic super fan passes away as stars like DeMarvion Overshown send their condolences.
Bills Linked to Blockbuster Trade for Disgruntled WR to Finally Fix Josh Allen’s Offense
The Buffalo Bills are linked to a huge trade deal with this Eagles wide receiver to fix Josh Allen led offense
EssentiallySports Draft Board 3.0: Post-Senior Bowl Risers, Sliders & 2026 Draft Depth
The latest update of draft expert Tony Pauline's big board represents the movers and shakers from the 2026 Shrine and Senior Bowls.
Patriots HC Mike Vrabel Makes Final Decision on Will Campbell’s Future After Disappointing Super Bowl Performance
Mike Vrabel defends rookie Will Campbell after Super Bowl LX, confirming he will remain the Patriots' left tackle despite injury struggles.
Roger Goodell’s NFL Faces Major Scandal After Drake Maye’s Pain-Killer News Following Super Bowl 60
The NFL could be facing a major scandal as information about Drake Maye's shoulder injury raises concerns from critics and fans.
About NFL
NFL
History
In August 1920, representatives from four states: Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Dayton, held a meeting and formed the American Professional Football Conference (APFC) to improve footballing standards in the country. A month later, they formed the American Professional Football Association (APFA) and played a league with 14 teams. In 1922, they changed the name to the National Football League (NFL).
In 1960, a new professional league, the American Football League (AFL) started as a competition against the NFL. After six years, in 1966, the two leagues announced a merger that would take effect in 1970. During the four years between the announcement and the actual merger, the leagues started playing a Championship game which was called The Super Bowl. Since then, the two leagues have been recognized as two separate conferences within the same league, the NFL.
Participating teams
There are 32 teams in the NFL divided equally into two conferences: National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). Each conference is further divided into 4 divisions: East, North, South, and West, with each division containing four teams.
American Football Conference (AFC)
East
NorthSouthWestNational Football Conference (NFC)NorthSouthWest