List of NFL career passing yards leaders
This list shows the top 50 National Football League quarterbacks with the highest career regular season passing yards, the NFL playoff passing yards leaders with at least 2,500 yards, and the historical progression of regular season record holders.
Tom Brady holds both the regular season record, with 89,214 passing yards, and the playoff record, with 13,400 yards.
In American football, passing, along with running (also referred to as rushing), is one of the two main methods of advancing the ball down the field. Passes are typically attempted by the quarterback, but any offensive player can attempt a pass provided they are behind the line of scrimmage.[1] To qualify as a passing play, the ball must have initially moved forward after leaving the hands of the passer; if the ball initially moved laterally or backwards, the play would instead be considered a running play.[2] The amount of passing yards recorded by each quarterback is a recorded stat in football games.
Regular season career passing yards leaders
[edit]Symbol | Meaning |
---|---|
Yds | Career passing yardage |
GP | Games played |
YPG | Average yardage per game |
† | Pro Football Hall of Famer |
^ | Active |
Through Week 11 of 2024 season.
Note: Y. A. Tittle passed for 33,070 yards in his professional career, which would place him in 43rd on this list, but 4,731 of those yards came in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), which the NFL does not recognize statistics and records from to date.[54][55] Thus, Tittle's career passing yards total in the NFL stands at 28,339.[56]
Playoff leaders
[edit]Through 2023–24 NFL playoffs. Based on at least 2,500 postseason passing yards.
Historical passing yards leaders
[edit]Eleven players are recognized as having held the record as the NFL's career passing yardage leader. The longest record holder was Fran Tarkenton, who held the record for nineteen years.
Reign | Player | Team(s) while leader | Career passing yards | Season(s) | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1932–1942 (11 years) |
Arnie Herber† | Green Bay Packers | 639 | 1932 | [63] |
1,295 | 1933 | ||||
2,094 | 1934 | ||||
2,823 | 1935 | ||||
4,062 | 1936 | ||||
4,746 | 1937 | ||||
5,082 | 1938 | ||||
6,189 | 1939 | ||||
6,749 | 1940–1942 | ||||
1943–1958 (16 years) |
Sammy Baugh† | Washington Redskins | 8,379 | 1943 | [64] |
9,228 | 1944 | ||||
10,897 | 1945 | ||||
12,060 | 1946 | ||||
14,998 | 1947 | ||||
17,597 | 1948 | ||||
19,500 | 1949 | ||||
20,630 | 1950 | ||||
21,734 | 1951 | ||||
21,886 | 1952–1958 | ||||
1959–1963 (5 years) |
Bobby Layne† | Pittsburgh Steelers | 22,063 | 1959 | [65] |
23,877 | 1960 | ||||
25,082 | 1961 | ||||
26,768 | 1962–1963 | ||||
1964–1967 (4 years) |
Y. A. Tittle† | New York Giants | 28,339 | 1964–1967 | [56] |
1968–1975 (8 years) |
Johnny Unitas† | Baltimore Colts (1968–1972) San Diego Chargers (1973) |
33,160 | 1968 | [28] |
35,502 | 1969 | ||||
37,715 | 1970 | ||||
38,657 | 1971 | ||||
39,768 | 1972 | ||||
40,239 | 1973–1975 | ||||
1976–1994 (19 years) |
Fran Tarkenton† | Minnesota Vikings | 41,801 | 1976 | [17] |
43,535 | 1977 | ||||
47,003 | 1978–1994 | ||||
1995–2006 (12 years) |
Dan Marino† | Miami Dolphins | 48,841 | 1995 | [12] |
51,636 | 1996 | ||||
55,416 | 1997 | ||||
58,913 | 1998 | ||||
61,361 | 1999–2006 | ||||
2007–2014 (8 years) |
Brett Favre† | Green Bay Packers (2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010) |
61,655 | 2007 | [7] |
65,127 | 2008 | ||||
69,329 | 2009 | ||||
71,838 | 2010–2014 | ||||
2015–2017 (3 years) |
Peyton Manning† | Denver Broncos | 71,940 | 2015–2017 | [6] |
2018–2020 (3 years) |
Drew Brees | New Orleans Saints | 74,437 | 2018 | [5] |
77,416 | 2019 | ||||
80,358 | 2020 | ||||
Since 2021 (4 years) |
Tom Brady | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 84,520 | 2021 | [4] |
89,214 | 2022–present |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Collins was traded during the 1998 season; he played four games for the Panthers and seven for the Saints.
- ^ DeBerg was cut during the 1993 season; he played three games for the Buccaneers and five for the Dolphins.
- ^ Hadl was traded during the 1974 season; he played six games for the Rams and eight for the Packers.
See also
[edit]- List of gridiron football quarterbacks passing statistics
- List of NFL annual passing yards leaders
- List of NFL career passing completions leaders
- List of NFL career passing touchdowns leaders
- List of NFL career quarterback wins leaders
- List of NFL individual records
References
[edit]- ^ "Beginner's Guide to Football". National Football League. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
- ^ Brinson, Will (December 31, 2013). "NFL, Elias reviewing Peyton Manning passing record: lateral or pass?". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax "NFL Passing Yards Career Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Tom Brady Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Drew Brees Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Peyton Manning Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Brett Favre Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Ben Roethlisberger Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Philip Rivers Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on September 12, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Matt Ryan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 24, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Aaron Rodgers Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Dan Marino Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Matthew Stafford Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Eli Manning Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 2, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "John Elway Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 16, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Warren Moon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Fran Tarkenton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Carson Palmer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Vinny Testaverde Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 8, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Joe Flacco Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". PFRef.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
- ^ "Drew Bledsoe Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 8, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Russell Wilson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". PFRef.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Dan Fouts Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 18, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Kirk Cousins Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Kerry Collins Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Derek Carr Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". PFRef.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Joe Montana Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Johnny Unitas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 15, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Andy Dalton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Dave Krieg Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Boomer Esiason Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Donovan McNabb Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Matt Hasselbeck Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Alex Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Jim Kelly Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Jay Cutler Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Ryan Fitzpatrick Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 21, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Ryan Tannehill Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". PFRef.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Jim Everett Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Jim Hart Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Steve DeBerg Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Tony Romo Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "John Hadl Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Phil Simms Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Steve Young Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 22, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Troy Aikman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 22, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ ref.com/players/G/GoffJa00.htm "Jared Goff Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: Check|url=
value (help) - ^ "Ken Anderson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Cam Newton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Kurt Warner Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Sonny Jurgensen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Mark Brunell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "John Brodie Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ Pavlick, Ed (1980). "Pro Football Records Should Include the AAFC" (PDF). The Coffin Corner. 2 (7). Professional Football Researchers Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
- ^ Roberts, Jerry (2015). Pass Receiving in Early Pro Football: A History to the 1960s (illustrated ed.). McFarland. p. 137. ISBN 978-0786499465. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
- ^ a b "Y.A. Tittle". NFL.com. National Football League. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z "NFL Passing Yards Career Playoffs Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Patrick Mahomes Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". PFRef.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Terry Bradshaw Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 8, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Roger Staubach Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Josh Allen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". PFRef.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Ken Stabler Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Arnie Herber Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Sammy Baugh Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Bobby Layne Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.