{"id":544,"date":"2024-08-16T11:52:24","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T15:52:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/?p=544"},"modified":"2025-12-30T14:50:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-30T18:50:49","slug":"the-complete-nfl-expansion-history-part-iv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/2024\/08\/the-complete-nfl-expansion-history-part-iv\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Expansion History: Part IV"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(last updated on December 30, 2025)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From humble beginnings with a mere handful of teams, the National Football League has grown into the spectator giant it is today, boasting 32 franchises. The NFL and its franchises have been a series of additions and attractions over the past one hundred years. So far in our journey in this series, we have looked at how the major teams came to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how did this expansion occur? Thus far, in the first three parts, we have examined the changes through the AFL merger. This final article of the series delves into the exciting journey of the six teams that entered the league after 1970, forever altering the NFL landscape. We’ll explore the stories behind each team’s arrival, the impact they’ve had on the game, and how their addition fueled the NFL’s rise to unparalleled popularity. Buckle up those chinstraps, football fans, as we explore the evolution of the NFL through the lens of its expansion teams!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The NFL Landscape in 1975<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a quick review, here was the NFL in 1975, a season before the next phase of expansion commenced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1975<\/a><\/span> NFL<\/span> Standings & Team Stats<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t
\n \n Previous Season<\/a>\n \n \n Next Season<\/a>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t

Super Bowl Champion<\/strong>: Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a>\n<\/p>

AP MVP<\/strong>: Fran Tarkenton<\/a><\/p>\n

AP Offensive Rookie of the Year<\/strong>: Mike Thomas<\/a><\/p>\n

AP Defensive Rookie of the Year<\/strong>: Robert Brazile<\/a><\/p>\n

AP Offensive Player of the Year<\/strong>: Fran Tarkenton<\/a><\/p>\n

AP Defensive Player of the Year<\/strong>: Mel Blount<\/a><\/p>\n

Passing Leader<\/strong>: Ken Anderson<\/a>, 3169 Yds<\/p>\n

Rushing Leader<\/strong>: O.J. Simpson<\/a>, 1817 Yds<\/p>\n

Receiving Leader<\/strong>: Ken Burrough<\/a>, 1063 Yds<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The World Football League (WFL) that arose in 1974 and 1975 impacted the NFL markets and thoughts of where the league should have teams. Though the WFL played games for only two seasons, it broadened the spectrum of fan bases much like the AFL did a decade earlier. It made the NFL work to stay fresh and relevant as the WFL even outbid its more established rival for the services of marquee players such as Larry Csonka<\/a> and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NFL responded with expansion in 1976 in two regions that were exposed as weaknesses by the World Football League: the Northwest and the South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Expansion in 1976<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The NFL made a couple of announcements for the 1976 season almost a year in advance. The league would flex its standing of franchises and add two additional teams to the fold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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via Sports Logos.net<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t

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\n \n 1976<\/a><\/span>\n Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/span>\n \n Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees<\/span>\n <\/h2>\n
\n \n \n \n \n Next Season<\/a>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n Record:<\/strong> 0-14-0, 5th in\n\tAFC West Division<\/a>\n  (Schedule and Results<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Coach:<\/strong> \n John McKay<\/a> (0-14-0)<\/p>\n\n\n

Points For:<\/strong> 125 (8.9\/g) 28th of 28<\/p>\n

Points Against:<\/strong> 412 (29.4\/g) 27th of 28<\/p>\n

Expected W-L<\/a>:<\/strong> 0.8-13.2<\/p>\n

SRS<\/strong><\/a>: -19.66 (28th of 28), \n SOS<\/strong><\/a>: .84\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\n\t

Offensive Coordinator:<\/strong> John Rauch<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t

Defensive Coordinator:<\/strong> Abe Gibron<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\t

Other Notable Asst.:<\/strong> Wayne Fontes<\/a> (Defensive Backs) and Dick Voris<\/a> (Linebackers)\n\n\n<\/p>

Stadium:<\/strong> Tampa Stadium<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t

Owner\/President:<\/strong> Hugh Culverhouse<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t

Head Coach\/de facto General Manager:<\/strong> John McKay<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t

Defensive Alignment:<\/strong> 4-3<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\t

Training Camp:<\/strong> One Buc Place \/ Buccaneer Place (Tampa, Florida)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The NFL set its sights on the Sunshine State, awarding its 27th franchise to Tampa Bay, Florida. This decision reflected the league’s strategic expansion plan, capitalizing on the burgeoning popularity of professional football and the untapped market in the southeastern United States. Tampa Bay boasted a brand-new stadium and a passionate local fanbase hungry for NFL action. However, building a competitive team from scratch proved challenging. The Buccaneers, as they were christened, entered the league via an expansion draft, inheriting a mix of seasoned veterans and unproven rookies. This resulted in an infamous first season \u2013 a winless campaign that cemented the Bucs’ place in NFL history, albeit for an unwanted record. Despite the initial struggles, Tampa Bay’s arrival marked a significant step in the NFL’s growth, paving the way for future Southern franchises and solidifying the league’s position as a national sporting powerhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \n 1976<\/a><\/span>\n Seattle Seahawks<\/span>\n \n Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees<\/span>\n <\/h2>\n
\n \n \n \n \n Next Season<\/a>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n Record:<\/strong> 2-12-0, 5th in\n\tNFC West Division<\/a>\n  (Schedule and Results<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Coach:<\/strong> \n Jack Patera<\/a> (2-12-0)<\/p>\n\n\n

Points For:<\/strong> 229 (16.4\/g) 21st of 28<\/p>\n

Points Against:<\/strong> 429 (30.6\/g) 28th of 28<\/p>\n

Expected W-L<\/a>:<\/strong> 2.6-11.4<\/p>\n

SRS<\/strong><\/a>: -15.12 (27th of 28), \n SOS<\/strong><\/a>: -0.84\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\n\t

Offensive Coordinator:<\/strong> Sam Boghosian<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t

Defensive Coordinator:<\/strong> Bob Hollway<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\t

Other Notable Asst.:<\/strong> Larry Peccatiello<\/a> (Linebackers) and Jerry Rhome<\/a> (Quarterbacks)\n\n\n<\/p>

Stadium:<\/strong> Seattle Kingdome<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t

Principal Owner:<\/strong> Lloyd Nordstrom<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t

General Manager:<\/strong> John Thompson<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t

Defensive Alignment:<\/strong> 4-3<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\t

Training Camp:<\/strong> Eastern Washington University (Cheney, Washington)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Pacific Northwest was a region that was growing in population and had active college football fanbases. The WFL showed that Portland, Oregon, was a viable option, but the NFL went even a step further and focused on Seattle, Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NFL craved expansion, and Seattle craved pro football. The marriage was perfect. After fierce competition from cities like Phoenix and Memphis, Seattle’s commitment \u2013 spearheaded by a brand-new stadium, the Kingdome \u2013 won them the league’s favor. This wasn’t just about a new team; it signified the NFL’s westward push, tapping into a passionate and growing fanbase. The arrival of the Seahawks in 1976 wasn’t just a local victory … it marked a strategic shift for the NFL, solidifying its position as a national powerhouse and forever changing the football landscape for the Pacific Northwest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Division Alignment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It may sound odd to us in modern times, but originally Tampa Bay was in the AFC West Division ( I guess that was an odd place even in 1976), and the Seattle club was set into the NFC West. A year later, the Bucs were moved to the more appropriate NFC Central, and the Seahawks were flipped to the AFC West.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filling the rosters of these two brand-new teams required a unique strategy. The established teams protected their star players, leaving a pool of veterans for the expansion draft. Seattle and Tampa Bay alternated selections, grabbing role players and depth. This ensured a baseline of experience while minimizing the impact on existing teams. The franchises then participated in the regular college draft, allowing them to select the most talented young players available. This combination of veteran experience and youthful potential helped lay the foundation for the Buccaneers and Seahawks to compete in the NFL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tampa had won the right for making the first overall pick in the 1976 NFL Draft<\/a>, and they chose wisely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tLee Roy Selmon<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n\n\n \n

\n \n Lee Roy Selmon\n \n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: DE-DT\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

6-3<\/span>, 256lb<\/span> (190cm, 116kg) <\/p>\n\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tOctober 20<\/a>, 1954\n \n \n in Eufaula, OK<\/a><\/span>\n \n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Died:<\/strong>\n September 4<\/a>, 2011 (Aged 56-319d)<\/span>\n \n in Tampa, FL<\/a><\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tOklahoma<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t (College Stats<\/a>)\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 78 (470th overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tEufaula<\/a> (OK<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> in the 1st round (1st overall) of the 1976 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as \n\t\tPlayer in 1995<\/a>\n(Full List<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n

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Relatives<\/strong>: Brother Dewey Selmon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n