A long kick return can excite fans and shift the course of a football game. One of the most adrenaline-filled plays in the sport is when a return specialist takes a kickoff the length of the field and erases a deficit in a blink of an eye.
Devin Hester built a Hall of Fame career primarily as a return specialist, compiling an NFL-record 20 return touchdowns -- 14 punt, five kickoff and one missed field goal -- in 11 seasons. Hester is the only player to return the opening kick of a Super Bowl for a touchdown, opening Super Bowl XLI in 2007 with a 92-yard kickoff return for a score.
While Hester's returns are impressive, they aren't among the longest in NFL history. Here's a look at the league's all-time longest kickoff returns.
109 yards
▪︎ Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings - Oct. 27, 2013 vs. Green Bay Packers
108 yards
▪︎ David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals - Sept. 20, 2015 at Chicago Bears
▪︎ Jacoby Jones (twice), Baltimore Ravens - Oct. 14, 2012 vs. Dallas Cowboys and Nov. 2, 2014 at Pittsburgh Steelers
▪︎ Knile Davis, Kansas City Chiefs - Dec. 1, 2013 vs. Denver Broncos
▪︎ Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers - Sept. 8, 2011 vs. New Orleans Saints
▪︎ Ellis Hobbs, New England Patriots - Sept. 9, 2007 at New York Jets
107 yards
▪︎ Josh Huff, Philadelphia Eagles - Nov. 23, 2014 vs. Tennessee Titans
▪︎ Joe McKnight, New York Jets - Oct. 2, 2011 at Baltimore Ravens
What is the longest kickoff return in Super Bowl history?
While Jones had two career 108-yard kickoff returns in the regular season, he also had a 108-yard return to open the second half of Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 3, 2013. Jones holds the record for the longest kickoff return in Super Bowl history.
What is the longest punt return in NFL history?
On Oct. 23, 2024, Los Angeles Rams defensive back Robert Bailey completed a 103-yard punt return against the Saints. Bailey holds the record for the longest punt return in NFL history.
What is the longest missed field goal return in NFL history?
Jamal Agnew and Antonio Cromartie are tied for the longest missed field goal return in NFL history, with 109 yards. Agnew's return came against the Cardinals on Sept. 26, 2021, while Cromartie raced the length of the field against the Vikings on Nov. 4, 2007.
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