Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are potent antimicrobial weapons; however, their formation during sterile inflammation is detrimental, and the mechanism of induction is still unclear. Since advanced age is the primary clinical risk factor for poor outcomes in inflammatory diseases, we hypothesized that sterile stimuli, represented by mitochondria, would induce NETs formation in an age-dependent manner. Therefore, we analyzed induction of NETs in patients grouped according to age or immune status and observed that neutrophils from elderly patients responded to the presence of mitochondria with enhanced NETs formation. These NETs were also found to be more oxidized and exhibited higher resistance to DNase I degradation. Additionally, a higher concentration of residual NETs was detected in the plasma of the elderly. This plasma was capable of priming neutrophils through TLR9-mediated signaling, leading to further NETs formation, which was successfully inhibited with chloroquine. Finally, in a mouse model of mitochondria-induced acute lung injury, we observed that neutrophils from aged mice displayed impaired chemotactic activity, but exhibited a trend of higher NETs formation. Thus, we propose that residual NETs circulating in the elderly pre-activate neutrophils, making them more prone to enhanced NETs formation when exposed to mitochondria during sterile inflammation. Further investigation is needed to determine whether this vicious circle could be a suitable therapeutic target.