List of National Football League career passing yards leaders

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This is the top 50 National Football League players with the highest total career regular season passing yards.

Tom Brady holds the record with 81,268 passing yards.

Regular season career passing yards leaders[edit]

Tom Brady is the all-time regular season career passing yards leader with 81,268.
Key
^ Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who is still active

Through Week 6 of 2021 season.

Rank Player Team(s) by season Yards YPG
1 Tom Brady* New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–present) 		81,268 264.72
2

Drew Brees

San Diego Chargers (2001–2005)
New Orleans Saints (2006–2020) 		80,358 279.99
3 Peyton Manning^ Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011)
Denver Broncos (2012–2015) 		71,940 270.45
4 Brett Favre^ Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010) 		71,838 237.87
5 Philip Rivers San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2004–2019)
Indianapolis Colts (2020) 		63,440 260.00
6 Ben Roethlisberger* Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–present) 61,863 258.84
7 Dan Marino^ Miami Dolphins (1983–1999) 61,361 253.56
8 Matt Ryan* Atlanta Falcons (2008–present) 57,099 271.90
9 Eli Manning New York Giants (2004–2019) 57,023 241.62
10 Aaron Rodgers* Green Bay Packers (2005–present) 52,681 259.51
11 John Elway^ Denver Broncos (1983–1998) 51,475 219.98
12 Warren Moon^ Houston Oilers (1984–1993)
Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998)
Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000) 		49,325 237.14
13 Fran Tarkenton^ Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966, 1972–1978)
New York Giants (1967–1971) 		47,003 191.07
14 Matthew Stafford* Detroit Lions (2009–2020)
Los Angeles Rams (2021–present) 		46,947 274.54
15 Carson Palmer Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2010)
Oakland Raiders (2011–2012)
Arizona Cardinals (2013–2017) 		46,247 254.10
16 Vinny Testaverde Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987–1992)
Cleveland Browns (1993–1995)
Baltimore Ravens (1996–1997)
New York Jets (1998–2003, 2005)
Dallas Cowboys (2004)
New England Patriots (2006)
Carolina Panthers (2007) 		46,233 198.42
17 Drew Bledsoe New England Patriots (1993–2001)
Buffalo Bills (2002–2004)
Dallas Cowboys (2005–2006) 		44,611 229.95
18 Dan Fouts^ San Diego Chargers (1973–1987) 43,040 237.79
19 Joe Flacco* Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018)
Denver Broncos (2019)
New York Jets (2020)
Philadelphia Eagles (2021–present) 		40,931 232.56
20 Kerry Collins Carolina Panthers (1995–1998)[a]
New Orleans Saints (1998)
New York Giants (1999–2003)
Oakland Raiders (2004–2005)
Tennessee Titans (2006–2010)
Indianapolis Colts (2011) 		40,922 206.68
21 Joe Montana^ San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992)
Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994) 		40,551 211.20
22 Johnny Unitas^ Baltimore Colts (1956–1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973) 		40,239 190.71
23 Dave Krieg Seattle Seahawks (1980–1991)
Kansas City Chiefs (1992–1993)
Detroit Lions (1994)
Arizona Cardinals (1995)
Chicago Bears (1996)
Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998) 		38,147 179.09
24 Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals (1984-1992, 1997 )
New York Jets (1993–1995)
Arizona Cardinals (1996) 		37,920 202.78
25 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011) 		37,276 223.21
26 Matt Hasselbeck Green Bay Packers (1998–2000)
Seattle Seahawks (2001–2010)
Tennessee Titans (2011–2012)
Indianapolis Colts (2013–2015) 		36,638 175.30
27 Alex Smith San Francisco 49ers (2005–2012)
Kansas City Chiefs (2013–2017)
Washington Redskins/Football Team (2018–2020) 		35,650 204.89
28 Jim Kelly^ Buffalo Bills (1986–1996) 35,467 221.67
29 Russell Wilson* Seattle Seahawks (2012-present) 35,142 235.85
30 Jay Cutler Denver Broncos (2006–2008)
Chicago Bears (2009–2016)
Miami Dolphins (2017) 		35,133 229.63
31 Ryan Fitzpatrick* St. Louis Rams (2005–2006)
Cincinnati Bengals (2007–2008)
Buffalo Bills (2009–2012)
Tennessee Titans (2013)
Houston Texans (2014)
New York Jets (2015–2016)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017–2018)
Miami Dolphins (2019–2020)
Washington Football Team (2021–present) 		34,990 210.78
32 Jim Everett Los Angeles Rams (1986–1993)
New Orleans Saints (1994–1996)
San Diego Chargers (1997) 		34,837 220.49
33 Jim Hart St. Louis Cardinals (1966–1983)
Washington Redskins (1984) 		34,665 172.46
34 Steve DeBerg San Francisco 49ers (1978–1980)
Denver Broncos (1981–1983)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1984–1987, 1992–1993)[b]
Kansas City Chiefs (1988–1991)
Miami Dolphins (1993)
Atlanta Falcons (1998) 		34,241 166.22
35 Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys (2003–2016) 34,183 219.12
36 Andy Dalton* Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019)
Dallas Cowboys (2020)
Chicago Bears (2021–present) 		34,034 231.52
37 John Hadl San Diego Chargers (1962–1972)
Los Angeles Rams (1973–1974)[c]
Green Bay Packers (1974–1975)
Houston Oilers (1976–1977) 		33,503 149.57
38 Phil Simms New York Giants (1979–1993) 33,462 204.04
39 Steve Young^ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999) 		33,124 196.00
40 Troy Aikman^ Dallas Cowboys (1989–2000) 32,942 199.65
41 Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals (1971–1986) 32,838 171.03
42 Kurt Warner^ St. Louis Rams (1998–2003)
New York Giants (2004)
Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009) 		32,344 260.84
43 Sonny Jurgensen^ Philadelphia Eagles (1957–1963)
Washington Redskins (1964–1974) 		32,224 147.82
44 Mark Brunell Green Bay Packers (1993–1994)
Jacksonville Jaguars (1995–2003)
Washington Redskins (2004–2006)
New Orleans Saints (2008–2009)
New York Jets (2010–2011) 		32,072 166.18
45 Cam Newton* Carolina Panthers (2011–2019)
New England Patriots (2020) 		31,698 226.42
46 John Brodie San Francisco 49ers (1957–1973) 31,548 156.96
47 Steve McNair Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1995–2005)
Baltimore Ravens (2006–2007) 		31,304 194.43
48 Norm Snead Washington Redskins (1961–1963)
Philadelphia Eagles (1964–1970)
Minnesota Vikings (1971)
New York Giants (1972–1974, 1976)
San Francisco 49ers (1974–1975) 		30,797 173.02
49 Kirk Cousins* Washington Redskins (2012–2017)
Minnesota Vikings (2018–present) 		30,141 262.10
50 Randall Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles (1985–1995)
Minnesota Vikings (1997–1999)
Dallas Cowboys (2000)
Baltimore Ravens (2001) 		29,979 186.20

Note: Y. A. Tittle passed for 33,070 yards in his professional career, which would place him in 40th on this list, but 4,731 of those yards came in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), which the NFL does not recognise statistics and records from as of 2021.[1][2] Thus, Tittle's career passing yards total in the NFL stands at 28,339.[3]

Active players not in top 50 but with at least 28,000 passing yards[edit]

Through Week 6 of 2021 season; includes ranking.

1 Derek Carr 28,842 (57th)
2 Ryan Tannehill 28,462 (62nd)

Playoff leaders[edit]

Through end of 2020–21 NFL playoffs.[4] At least 2,500 passing yards.

Rank Player Team(s) by season Yards YPG
1 Tom Brady* New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–present) 		12,449 276.64
2 Peyton Manning^ Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011)
Denver Broncos (2012–2015) 		7,339 271.81
3 Brett Favre^ Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010) 		5,855 243.96
4 Joe Montana^ San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992)
Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994) 		5,772 250.96
5 Ben Roethlisberger* Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–present) 5,757 261.68
6 Aaron Rodgers* Green Bay Packers (2005–present) 5,669 269.95
7 Drew Brees San Diego Chargers (2001–2005)
New Orleans Saints (2006–2020) 		5,366 298.11
8 John Elway^ Denver Broncos (1983–1998) 4,964 225.64
9 Dan Marino^ Miami Dolphins (1983–1999) 4,510 250.56
10 Kurt Warner^ St. Louis Rams (1998–2003)
New York Giants (2004)
Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009) 		3,952 304.00
11 Jim Kelly^ Buffalo Bills (1986–1996) 3,863 227.24
12 Troy Aikman^ Dallas Cowboys (1989–2000) 3,849 240.56
13 Terry Bradshaw^ Pittsburgh Steelers (1970–1983) 3,833 201.74
14 Russell Wilson* Seattle Seahawks (2012–present) 3,786 236.63
15 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011) 		3,752 234.50
16 Steve Young^ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999) 		3,326 151.18
17 Joe Flacco* Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018)
Denver Broncos (2019)
New York Jets (2020)
Philadelphia Eagles (2021–present) 		3,223 214.87
18 Philip Rivers San Diego/L.A. Chargers (2004–2019)
Indianapolis Colts (2020) 		2,965 247.08
19 Warren Moon^ Houston Oilers (1984–2003)
Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998)
Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000) 		2,870 287.00
20 Roger Staubach^ Dallas Cowboys (1969–1979) 2,817 140.85
21 Eli Manning New York Giants (2004–2019) 2,815 234.58
22 Matt Hasselbeck Green Bay Packers (1998–2000)
Seattle Seahawks (2001–2010)
Tennessee Titans (2011–2012)
Indianapolis Colts (2013–2015) 		2,741 249.18
23 Matt Ryan* Atlanta Falcons (2008–present) 2,672 267.20
24 Ken Stabler^ Oakland Raiders (1970–1979)
Houston Oilers (1980–1981)
New Orleans Saints (1982–1984) 		2,641 203.15

Players with the most career passing yards including playoff games[edit]

Through Week 6 of 2021 season. At least 55,000 passing yards.

Rank Player Team(s) by season Yards
1 Tom Brady* New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–present) 		93,717
2 Drew Brees San Diego Chargers (2001–2005)
New Orleans Saints (2006–2020) 		85,724
3 Peyton Manning^ Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011)
Denver Broncos (2012–2015) 		79,279
4 Brett Favre^ Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010) 		77,693
5 Ben Roethlisberger* Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–present) 67,620
6 Philip Rivers San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2004–2019)
Indianapolis Colts (2020) 		66,405
7 Dan Marino^ Miami Dolphins (1983–1999) 65,871
8 Eli Manning New York Giants (2004–2019) 59,838
9 Matt Ryan* Atlanta Falcons (2008–present) 59,771
10 Aaron Rodgers* Green Bay Packers (2005–present) 58,350
11 John Elway^ Denver Broncos (1983–1998) 56,439

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 19 years.

Reign Player Team(s) while leader Career passing yards Season(s)
1932–1942
(11 years)		 Arnie Herber^
[5]		 Green Bay Packers 639 1932
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^
[6]		 Washington Redskins 8,379 1943
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^
[7]		 Pittsburgh Steelers 22,063 1959
23,877 1960
25,082 1961
26,768 1962–1963
1964–1967
(4 years)		 Y. A. Tittle^
[3]		 New York Giants 28,339 1964–1967
1968–1975
(8 years)		 Johnny Unitas^
[8]		 Baltimore Colts (1968–1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973)		 33,160 1968
35,502 1969
37,715 1970
38,657 1971
39,768 1972
40,239 1973–1975
1976–1994
(19 years)		 Fran Tarkenton^
[9]		 Minnesota Vikings 41,801 1976
43,535 1977
47,003 1978–1994
1995–2006
(12 years)		 Dan Marino^
[10]		 Miami Dolphins 48,841 1995
51,636 1996
55,416 1997
58,913 1998
61,361 1999–2006
2007–2014
(8 years)		 Brett Favre^
[11]		 Green Bay Packers (2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)		 61,655 2007
65,127 2008
69,329 2009
71,838 2010–2014
2015–2017
(3 years)		 Peyton Manning^
[12] 		Denver Broncos 71,940 2015–2017
2018–2020
(3 years)		 Drew Brees
[13] 		New Orleans Saints 74,437 2018
77,416 2019
80,358 2020
Since 2021 Tom Brady
[14] 		Tampa Bay Buccaneers 81,268 2021

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Collins was traded during the 1998 season; he played four games for the Panthers and seven for the Saints.
  2. ^ DeBerg was cut during the 1993 season; he played three games for the Buccaneers and five for the Dolphins.
  3. ^ Hadl was traded during the 1974 season; he played six games for the Rams and eight for the Packers.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

General
  • "NFL Passing Yards Career Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
Footnotes
  1. ^ Pavlick, Ed (1980). "Pro Football Records Should Include the AAFC" (PDF). The Coffin Corner. Professional Football Researchers Association. 2 (7). Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  2. ^ Roberts, Jerry (2015). Pass Receiving in Early Pro Football: A History to the 1960s (illustrated ed.). McFarland. p. 137. ISBN 978-0786499465. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Y.A. Tittle". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  4. ^ "NFL Passing Yards Career Playoffs Leaders". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  5. ^ "Arnie Herber stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  6. ^ "Sammy Baugh stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  7. ^ "Bobby Layne stats". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  8. ^ "Johnny Unitas stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  9. ^ "Fran Tarkenton stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  10. ^ "Dan Marino stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  11. ^ "Brett Favre stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  12. ^ "Peyton Manning stats". PFRef.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  13. ^ "Drew Brees stats". PFRef.com. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  14. ^ "Tom Brady stats". PFRef.com. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
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