If you asked a casual football fan today who holds the record for the longest field goal, they’d probably confidently shout "Justin Tucker!" and point to that insane 66-yarder against the Lions where the ball hit the crossbar and hopped over like a lucky frog. And honestly, for a long time, they’d have been right. But things move fast in the league. As of late 2025, Tucker’s iconic kick has actually been bumped down the list.
The crown now belongs to Cam Little.
Who? Yeah, the Jacksonville Jaguars kicker. On November 2, 2025, playing against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, the 22-year-old Arkansas product absolutely nuked a 68-yard field goal. It wasn't just a "maybe it'll get there" kind of kick. It cleared the bar with enough room to spare that some analysts think it would’ve been good from 70.
The Day the 66-Yard Barrier Broke
The setting for Little’s record was almost perfect. Allegiant Stadium is a dome, so wind wasn't a factor, but it's also sitting at about 2,000 feet of elevation. Not quite Denver "thin air," but enough to give a ball a little extra glide.
Right before the half, the Jaguars offense stalled out. Most coaches would have just taken a knee or thrown a Hail Mary. Instead, Liam Coen sent out the kid. Little later told reporters that he and punter Logan Cooke (his holder) had a quick one-on-one on the sideline. Little basically said, "I'm just gonna hit this as hard as I can."
He did. The ball stayed remarkably straight. When it sailed through, the Jaguars' sideline reacted like they’d just won the Super Bowl. It changed the entire momentum of what ended up being a 30-29 overtime win for Jacksonville.
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But Little wasn't done making history. Just a few weeks ago, on January 4, 2026, he hit a 67-yarder against the Tennessee Titans. While that’s one yard shorter than his own record, it’s arguably more impressive because it happened at EverBank Stadium—outdoors, at sea level, in 57-degree weather. That officially made it the longest outdoor field goal in NFL history.
Why are kicks getting so long?
It feels like every week we’re seeing someone line up from 60+ yards. It wasn't always like this. For decades, Tom Dempsey’s 63-yarder from 1970 was the "unbreakable" record. Then Jason Elam tied it in '98. Sebastian Janikowski tied it in 2011. It took forever to even nudge the needle.
Suddenly, the floodgates opened. Why?
The "K-Ball" Rule Revolution
There’s a massive technical reason for this that most people don't talk about. In 2025, the NFL changed the rules for "K-balls" (the specific balls used for kicking and punting).
Previously, teams were handed brand-new, rock-hard footballs on game day. They had about an hour to "prepare" them—which usually meant equipment managers frantically rubbing them with brushes to soften the leather. It was like trying to kick a brick.
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Now, teams get 60 balls at the start of training camp. They can use them in practice all season. By the time they hit the game field, these balls are "broken in." Cincinnati’s Evan McPherson noted that a broken-in ball compresses more when you hit it, which can add 5 to 10 yards of distance. That’s the difference between a punt and a record-breaking scoring play.
The Rise of the Super-Legs
We also just have better athletes. Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys is a perfect example. The guy was a former pro soccer player who didn't even play college football. In 2024 and 2025, he started treats 60-yarders like they’re extra points. He actually has multiple kicks of 64 and 65 yards on his resume now.
It’s becoming a "live ball era," similar to the home run explosion in baseball. Some defensive coordinators, like the legendary Vic Fangio, have even joked that these new records should have an asterisk because the balls are so much easier to drive.
The All-Time Leaderboard (Updated 2026)
To keep track of how much the landscape has shifted, look at how crowded the top of the list is now.
- 68 Yards: Cam Little (Jaguars vs. Raiders, 2025)
- 67 Yards: Cam Little (Jaguars vs. Titans, 2026)
- 66 Yards: Justin Tucker (Ravens vs. Lions, 2021)
- 65 Yards: Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys vs. Ravens, 2024)
- 65 Yards: Chase McLaughlin (Buccaneers vs. Eagles, 2025)
- 64 Yards: Matt Prater (Broncos vs. Titans, 2013)
- 64 Yards: Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys vs. Giants, 2025)
What this means for the game
We are seeing a fundamental shift in how coaches manage the end of halves. It used to be that if you were at the 45-yard line with five seconds left, you had to throw a prayer into the end zone. Now? You’re in field goal range.
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If your kicker can reliably hit from 65, you only need to get to your own 47-yard line to have a chance at three points. That is wild. It puts immense pressure on defenses to guard the entire field, not just the "Red Zone."
The Physics of the Perfect Kick
If you want to understand how Cam Little hit a 68-yarder, you have to look at the "launch speed." To clear 68 yards, a ball generally needs to leave the foot at about 75 to 80 miles per hour.
The kicker also has to balance the launch angle. If you kick it too low to get more distance, a 6'6" defensive lineman is going to swat it down at the line of scrimmage. If you kick it too high, the air resistance (drag) will kill the distance before it reaches the posts. It’s a literal game of inches and degrees.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you’re watching a game and wondering if your team's kicker is about to make history, keep these three things in mind:
- Check the Environment: Is it a dome? Is the altitude high? If they're in Denver or Las Vegas, the ball is going to travel roughly 5-8% further than it would in rainy Seattle.
- Watch the Warm-ups: Most NFL kickers today can hit 70-yarders in practice. The "record" is more about the coach having the guts to call the play during a game.
- The "Broken-In" Factor: Late-season games often see longer kicks because the balls have been through more practice sessions and are softer than they were in Week 1.
The 70-yard field goal was once considered a physical impossibility. Now, looking at guys like Cam Little and Brandon Aubrey, it feels like it’s only a matter of time. We aren't just watching specialists anymore; we're watching a complete evolution of the sport.
For your next Sunday watch party, pay attention to where the "line to gain" is for a field goal. It’s moving further back every single year, and the record book is being rewritten in real-time. Keep an eye on Jacksonville; Little seems like he’s just getting started.