NFL Longest Punt Return Year-by-Year LeadersSubscribe Now (First Month Free)

For some seasons (1960-1969 & 1947-1950) leaders for both leagues are shown.
+ Indicates Hall of Famer, season age in parentheses

View Current Leaderboard

See leaders through past seasons

Leaders

Leaders Table
Year Player Lng Tm
2023Deonte Harty (25)96BUF
2022Marcus Jones (23)84NWE
2021Jakeem Grant (28)972TM
2020Keelan Cole (27)91JAX
2019Diontae Johnson (23)85PIT
2018Dwayne Harris (30)99OAK
2017Jamal Agnew (22)88DET
2016Tyreek Hill (22)95KAN
2015Darren Sproles (32)89PHI
2014Stedman Bailey (23)90STL
2013Tavon Austin (23)98STL
2012Damaris Johnson (22)98PHI
2011Patrick Peterson (21)99ARI
2010Bryan McCann (22)97DAL
2009DeSean Jackson (22)85PHI
2008Johnnie Lee Higgins (25)93OAK
2007Nate Burleson (26)94SEA
2007Tramon Williams (24)94GNB
2006Nate Burleson (25)90SEA
2006Adam Jones (22)90TEN
2005Antonio Chatman (26)85GNB
2004Nate Burleson (23)91MIN
2003Dante Hall (24)93KAN
2002Lamont Brightful (23)95BAL
2001Eric Metcalf (33)89WAS
2000Desmond Howard (30)95DET
1999Charlie Rogers (23)94SEA
1998Jacquez Green (22)95TAM
1997Darrien Gordon (26)94DEN
1996Desmond Howard (26)92GNB
1995Joey Galloway (23)89SEA
1994Robert Bailey (26)103RAM
1993Eric Metcalf (25)91CLE
1992Carl Pickens (22)95CIN
1991Kelvin Martin (26)85DAL
1990Terance Mathis (23)98NYJ
1989Dave Meggett (23)76NYG
1988John Taylor (26)95SFO
1987Dennis McKinnon (26)94CHI
1986Gerald McNeil (24)84CLE
1985Irving Fryar (22)85NWE
1984Henry Ellard (23)83RAM
1983Greg Pruitt (32)97RAI
1982Dana McLemore (22)93SFO
1981Mark Lee (23)94GNB
1980Roland James (22)75NWE
1980Will Lewis (22)75SEA
1980J.T. Smith (24)75KAN
1979J.T. Smith (23)88KAN
1978Bruce Harper (23)82NYJ
1978Keith Moody (25)82BUF
1977Keith Moody (24)91BUF
1976Rick Upchurch (24)92DEN
1975Billy Johnson (23)83HOU
1974Dennis Morgan (22)98DAL
1973Ron Smith (30)84SDG
1972Jon Staggers (23)85GNB
1971Leroy Kelly+ (29)74CLE
1970Ron Gardin (25)80BAL
1969Rickie Harris (26)86WAS
1969Noland Smith (25)64KAN
1968Charlie West (22)98MIN
1968Speedy Duncan (26)95SDG
1967Bob Grim (22)81MIN
1967Rodger Bird (24)78OAK
1966Johnny Roland (23)86STL
1966Speedy Duncan (24)81SDG
1965Gale Sayers+ (22)85CHI
1965Willie Mitchell (25)71KAN
1964Brady Keys (28)90PIT
1964Bobby Jancik (24)82HOU
1963Bill Baird (24)93NYJ
1963Tom Watkins (25)90DET
1962Abe Woodson (28)85SFO
1962Dick Christy (26)73NYT
1961Dick Bass (24)90RAM
1961Dick Christy (25)70NYT
1960Gene Mingo (21)76DEN
1960Abe Woodson (26)48SFO
1959Ken Hall (23)84CRD
1958Yale Lary+ (27)71DET
1957Bert Zagers (24)76WAS
1956Frank Bernardi (23)95CRD
1955Ollie Matson+ (25)78CRD
1954Veryl Switzer (22)93GNB
1953Woodley Lewis (28)78RAM
1952Hugh McElhenny+ (23)94SFO
1951Jack Christiansen+ (22)89DET
1950Bill Dudley+ (28)96WAS
1949Vitamin Smith (25)85RAM
1949Bob Livingstone (27)792TM
1948Tom Casey (24)94NYY
1948Jerry Davis (24)70CRD
1947Tom Harmon (27)88RAM
1947Tom Colella (29)82CLE
1946Glenn Dobbs (26)78BDA
1946Jack Wilson (28)70RAM
1945Chuck DeShane (26)81DET
1944Frank Seno (23)60WAS
1943Frankie Sinkwich (22)77DET
1942Ray McLean (26)89CHI
1941Andy Uram (26)90GNB