List of National Football League career passing yards leaders

This is the top 50 National Football League quarterbacks with the highest total career regular season passing yards. Only two have under 30,000 yards.

Drew Brees holds the record at 80,358.

Regular season career passing yards leaders

Drew Brees is the all-time regular season career passing yards leader.

Key
^	Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
*	Denotes player who is still active

Through end of 2020 season.

Rank	Player	Team(s) by season	Yards	YPG
1	Drew Brees^*	San Diego Chargers (2001–2005) New Orleans Saints (2006-present)	80,358	279.99
2	Tom Brady^*	New England Patriots (2000–2019) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–present)	79,204	263.14
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	Dan Marino^{^}	Miami Dolphins (1983–1999)	61,361	253.56
7	Ben Roethlisberger^*	Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–present)	60,348	259.01
8	Eli Manning	New York Giants (2004–2019)	57,023	241.62
9	Matt Ryan^*	Atlanta Falcons (2008–present)	55,767	272.03
10	John Elway^{^}	Denver Broncos (1983–1998)	51,475	219.98
11	Aaron Rodgers^*	Green Bay Packers (2005–present)	51,245	260.13
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	Carson Palmer	Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2010) Oakland Raiders (2011–2012) Arizona Cardinals (2013–2017)	46,247	254.10
15	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
16	Matthew Stafford^*	Detroit Lions (2009–2020) Los Angeles Rams (2021-present)	45,109	273.39
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–present)	40,931	232.56
20	Kerry Collins	Carolina Panthers (1995–1998)[lower-alpha 1] 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–present)	35,650	204.89
28	Jim Kelly^{^}	Buffalo Bills (1986–1996)	35,467	221.67
29	Jay Cutler	Denver Broncos (2006–2008) Chicago Bears (2009–2016) Miami Dolphins (2017)	35,133	229.63
30	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–present)	34,977	211.98
31	Jim Everett	Los Angeles Rams (1986–1993) New Orleans Saints (1994–1996) San Diego Chargers (1997)	34,837	220.49
32	Jim Hart	St. Louis Cardinals (1966–1983) Washington Redskins (1984)	34,665	172.46
33	Steve DeBerg	San Francisco 49ers (1978–1980) Denver Broncos (1981–1983) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1984–1987, 1992–1993)[lower-alpha 2] Kansas City Chiefs (1988–1991) Miami Dolphins (1993) Atlanta Falcons (1998)	34,241	166.22
34	Tony Romo	Dallas Cowboys (2003–2016)	34,183	219.12
35	Russell Wilson^*	Seattle Seahawks (2012–present)	33,946	235.74
36	Andy Dalton^*	Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019) Dallas Cowboys (2020–present)	33,763	234.47
37	John Hadl	San Diego Chargers (1962–1972) Los Angeles Rams (1973–1974)[lower-alpha 3] Green Bay Packers (1974–1975) Houston Oilers (1976–1977)	33,503	149.57
37	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–present)	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	Randall Cunningham	Philadelphia Eagles (1985–1995) Minnesota Vikings (1997–1999) Dallas Cowboys (2000) Baltimore Ravens (2001)	29,979	186.20
50	Joe Ferguson	Buffalo Bills (1973–1984) Detroit Lions (1985–1987) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1988–1989) Indianapolis Colts (1990)	29,817	160.31

Y. A. Tittle passed for 33,070 yards in his professional career. However, 4,731 of those yards came in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). The NFL does not recognise statistics and records accrued in the AAFC.[1][2] As such, his career passing yards total in the NFL stands at 28,339.[3]

Playoff leaders

Through start of Super Bowl LV 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)	12,248	278.36
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–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

Active players are in bold; minimum 65K yards.

1	Tom Brady	91,452
2	Drew Brees	85,724
3	Peyton Manning	79,279
4	Brett Favre	77,693
5	Philip Rivers	66,405
6	Ben Roethlisberger	66,106
7	Dan Marino	65,871

Historical passing yards leaders

Ten players are recognised as having held the record as the NFL's career passing yardage leader.[5] 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^{^} [6]	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^{^} [7]	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^{^} [8]	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^{^} [9]	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^{^} [10]	Minnesota Vikings	41,801	1976
			43,535	1977
			47,003	1978–1994
1995–2006 (12 years)	Dan Marino^{^} [11]	Miami Dolphins	48,841	1995
			51,636	1996
			55,416	1997
			58,913	1998
			61,361	1999–2006
2007–2014 (8 years)	Brett Favre^{^} [12]	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 [13]	Denver Broncos	71,940	2015–2017
Since 2018 (3 years)	Drew Brees [14]	New Orleans Saints	74,437	2018
			77,416	2019
			80,358	2020

Notes

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.

References

General

"NFL Passing Yards Career Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 12, 2017.

Footnotes

Pavlick, Ed (1980). "Pro Football Records Should Include the AAFC" (PDF). The Coffin Corner. Professional Football Researchers Association. 2 (7). 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. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
"Y.A. Tittle". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
"NFL Passing Yards Career Playoffs Leaders". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
Bryan Frye (March 9, 2016). "History of the Career Passing Yards Record". Grid Fe. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
"Arnie Herber stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
"Sammy Baugh stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
"Bobby Layne stats". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
"Johnny Unitas stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
"Fran Tarkenton stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
"Dan Marino stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
"Brett Favre stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
"Peyton Manning stats". PFRef.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
"Drew Brees stats". PFRef.com. Retrieved December 23, 2018.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[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.

[4] Pavlick, Ed (1980). "Pro Football Records Should Include the AAFC" (PDF). The Coffin Corner. Professional Football Researchers Association. 2 (7). Retrieved September 12, 2017.

[5] 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.

[Tittle-6] "Y.A. Tittle". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved September 12, 2017.

[7] "NFL Passing Yards Career Playoffs Leaders". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved January 9, 2021.

[8] Bryan Frye (March 9, 2016). "History of the Career Passing Yards Record". Grid Fe. Retrieved November 28, 2017.

[9] "Arnie Herber stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.

[10] "Sammy Baugh stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.

[11] "Bobby Layne stats". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.

[12] "Johnny Unitas stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.

[13] "Fran Tarkenton stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.

[14] "Dan Marino stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.

[15] "Brett Favre stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.

[16] "Peyton Manning stats". PFRef.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.

[17] "Drew Brees stats". PFRef.com. Retrieved December 23, 2018.