In the first NFL season, there were 14 charter teams:
- Akron Pros
- Decatur Staleys
- Buffalo All-Americans
- Chicago Cardinals
- Rock Island Independents
- Dayton Triangles
- Rochester Jeffersons
- Canton Bulldogs
- Detroit Heralds
- Cleveland Tigers
- Chicago Tigers
- Hammond Pros
- Columbus Panhandles
- Muncie Flyers
Of these, the Canton Bulldogs were the oldest, and so are normally regarded as the 'first' NFL team.