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List of NFL career passing yards leaders

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List of NFL career passing yards leaders
Summary

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This list shows the top National Football League quarterbacks with the top 50 players with the most 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. Quarterback totals from the American Football League (1960–1969) and All-American Football Conference (1946–1949) are also recognized by the NFL and are included.

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. 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. The amount of passing yards recorded by each quarterback is a recorded stat in football games.

Regular season career passing yards leaders

Tom Brady in a winter hat and New England Patriots jersey.
[[Tom Brady]] is the career passing yards leader with 89,214 yards and career playoff passing yards leader with 13,400.
Drew Brees in a New Orleans Saints jersey and helmet.
[[Drew Brees]] is second all-time in passing yards with 80,358.
Aaron Rodgers in a Green Bay Packers uniform and helmet with a football in his hands preparing to pass.
[[Aaron Rodgers]], with over 65,000 passing yards, is the active leader in career yardage.
SymbolMeaningYdsGPYPG^
Career passing yardage
Games played
Average yardage per game
Pro Football Hall of Famer
Active

Tied players are alphabetised.-- Through season.

RankPlayerYdsGPYPGTeam(s)SeasonsRefs12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323335363738394041424344454647484950RankPlayerYdsGPYPGTeam(s)SeasonsRefs
89,214335266.3New England Patriots
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
80,358287280San Diego Chargers
New Orleans Saints
71,940266270.5Indianapolis Colts
Denver Broncos
71,838302237.9Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay Packers
New York Jets
Minnesota Vikings
^66,274264251Green Bay Packers
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers–present
^64,516239269.9Detroit Lions
Los Angeles Rams–present
64,088249257.4Pittsburgh Steelerstitle=Ben Roethlisberger Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, Collegeurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RoetBe00.htmwebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=September 26, 2023language=enarchive-date=November 5, 2021archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105234519/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RoetBe00.htmurl-status=live }}
63,984247259San Diego/L.A. Chargers
Indianapolis Colts,
62,792234268.3Atlanta Falcons
Indianapolis Colts
61,361243253.6Miami Dolphinstitle=Dan Marino Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, Collegeurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MariDa00.htmwebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=September 26, 2023language=enarchive-date=March 21, 2021archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321110938/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MariDa00.htmurl-status=live }}
57,023236241.6New York Giants
51,475234220Denver Broncostitle=John Elway Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, Collegeurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElwaJo00.htmwebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=September 26, 2023language=enarchive-date=October 16, 2018archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016065236/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElwaJo00.htmurl-status=live }}
49,325208237.1Houston Oilers
Minnesota Vikings
Seattle Seahawks
Kansas City Chiefs
^48,176209230.5Baltimore Ravens
Denver Broncos
New York Jets,
Philadelphia Eagles
Cleveland Browns,
Indianapolis Colts
Cincinnati Bengals–present
47,003246191.1Minnesota Vikings,
New York Giants
^46,966205229.1Seattle Seahawks
Denver Broncos
Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Giants–present
46,247182254.1Cincinnati Bengals
Oakland Raiders
Arizona Cardinals
46,233233198.4Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cleveland Browns
Baltimore Ravens
New York Jets,
Dallas Cowboys
New England Patriots
Carolina Panthers
^44,700174256.9Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
Atlanta Falcons-Present
44,611194230New England Patriots
Buffalo Bills
Dallas Cowboys
43,040181237.8San Diego Chargerstitle=Dan Fouts Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, Collegeurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FoutDa00.htmwebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=September 26, 2023language=enarchive-date=December 18, 2022archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218140224/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FoutDa00.htmurl-status=live}}
41,245169244.1Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders
New Orleans Saints
40,922198206.7Carolina Panthers
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
Oakland Raiders
Tennessee Titans
Indianapolis Colts
40,551192211.2San Francisco 49ers
Kansas City Chiefs
40,239211190.7Baltimore Colts
San Diego Chargers
^39,793179222.3Cincinnati Bengals
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
New Orleans Saints
Carolina Panthers–present
^39,622151262.4Los Angeles Rams
Detroit Lions–present
38,147213179.1Seattle Seahawks
Kansas City Chiefs
Detroit Lions
Arizona Cardinals
Chicago Bears
Tennessee Oilers
37,920187202.8Cincinnati Bengals,
New York Jets
Arizona Cardinals
37,276167223.2Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
36,638209175.3Green Bay Packers
Seattle Seahawks
Tennessee Titans
Indianapolis Colts
^35,989139258.9Dallas Cowboys–presenttitle=Dak Prescott Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draught, Collegeurl=https://PFRef.com/players/P/PresDa01.htmaccess-date=2025-01-07website=Pro Football Referencelanguage=en}}
^35,939126285.2Kansas City Chiefs–presenttitle=Patrick Mahomes Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draught, Collegeurl=https://PFRef.com/players/M/MahoPa00.htmwebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=2024-12-08language=en}}
3435,650174204.9San Francisco 49ers
Kansas City Chiefs
Washington Redskins/Football Team
35,467160221.7Buffalo Billstitle=Jim Kelly Stats, Height, Weight, Position, draft, Collegewebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=September 26, 2023archive-date=May 16, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516221315/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KellJi00.htmurl-status=live}}
35,133153229.6Denver Broncos
Chicago Bears
Miami Dolphins
34,990166210.8St. Louis Rams
Cincinnati Bengals
Buffalo Bills
Tennessee Titans
Houston Texans
New York Jets
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Miami Dolphins
Washington Football Team
34,881155225Miami Dolphins
Tennessee Titans
34,837158220.5Los Angeles Rams
New Orleans Saints
San Diego Chargers
34,665201172.5St. Louis Cardinals
Washington Redskins
34,241206166.2San Francisco 49ers
Denver Broncos
Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins
Atlanta Falcons
34,183156219.1Dallas Cowboystitle=Tony Romo Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, Collegeurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RomoTo00.htmwebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=September 26, 2023language=enarchive-date=May 29, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529011250/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RomoTo00.htmurl-status=live}}
33,503224149.6San Diego Chargers
Los Angeles Rams
Green Bay Packers
Houston Oilers
33,462164204New York Giantstitle=Phil Simms Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, Collegeurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimmPh00.htmwebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=September 26, 2023language=enarchive-date=February 1, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201105238/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimmPh00.htmurl-status=live }}
33,124169196Tampa Bay Buccaneers
San Francisco 49ers
33,070204162.1Baltimore Colts
San Francisco 49ers
New York Giants
32,942165199.6Dallas Cowboystitle=Troy Aikman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, Collegeurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AikmTr00.htmwebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=September 26, 2023language=enarchive-date=October 22, 2018archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022083813/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AikmTr00.htmurl-status=live }}
32,838192171Cincinnati Bengalstitle=Ken Anderson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, Collegeurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AndeKe00.htmwebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=September 26, 2023language=enarchive-date=April 27, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427025558/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AndeKe00.htmurl-status=live }}
32,382148218.8Carolina Panthers,
New England Patriots
32,344124260.8St. Louis Rams
New York Giants
Arizona Cardinals

Playoff leaders

Through start of Super Bowl LX of 2025–26 NFL playoffs. Based on at least 2,500 postseason passing yards.

RankPlayerYdsGPYPGTeam(s)SeasonsRefs123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627
13,40048279.2New England Patriots
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7,33927271.8Indianapolis Colts
Denver Broncos
^6,04023262.6Green Bay Packers
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers-present
5,972259.7Pittsburgh Steelers
5,85524244Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay Packers
New York Jets
Minnesota Vikings
^5,81421276.9Kansas City Chiefs–presenttitle=Patrick Mahomes Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, Collegeurl=https://PFRef.com/players/M/MahoPa00.htmwebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=2023-09-26language=enarchive-date=2023-07-05archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705081231/https://PFTeg.com/players/M/MahoPa00.htmurl-status=live}}
5,77223251San Francisco 49ers
Kansas City Chiefs
5,36618298.1San Diego Chargers
New Orleans Saints
4,96422225.6Denver Broncos
4,51018250.6Miami Dolphins
^4,05617238.6Seattle Seahawks
Denver Broncos
Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Giants–present
3,95213304St. Louis Rams
New York Giants
Arizona Cardinals
^3,932302.5Detroit Lions
Los Angeles Rams-present
^3,91515261Buffalo Bills-presenttitle=Josh Allen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draught, Collegeurl=https://PFRef.com/players/A/AlleJo02.htmwebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=2014-01-15language=en}}
3,86317227.2
3,84916240.6Dallas Cowboys
3,83319201.7Pittsburgh Steelerstitle=Terry Bradshaw Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, Collegeurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradTe00.htmwebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=September 26, 2023language=enarchive-date=October 8, 2018archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008061241/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradTe00.htmurl-status=live }}
3,75216234.5Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
^3,530220.6Baltimore Ravens
Denver Broncos
New York Jets,
Philadelphia Eagles
Cleveland Browns,
Indianapolis Colts
Cincinnati Bengals–present
3,32622151.2Tampa Bay Buccaneers
San Francisco 49ers
2,96512247.1San Diego/L.A. Chargers
Indianapolis Colts,
2,87010287Houston Oilers
Minnesota Vikings
Seattle Seahawks
Kansas City Chiefs
2,81720140.9Dallas Cowboystitle=Roger Staubach Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, Collegeurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StauRo00.htmwebsite=Pro Football Referenceaccess-date=September 26, 2023language=enarchive-date=March 21, 2021archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321111023/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StauRo00.htmurl-status=live }}
2,81512234.6New York Giants
2,74111249.2Green Bay Packers
Seattle Seahawks
Tennessee Titans
Indianapolis Colts
2,67210267.2Atlanta Falcons
Indianapolis Colts
2,64113203.2Oakland Raiders
Houston Oilers
New Orleans Saints

Historical passing yards leaders

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.

ReignPlayerTeam(s) while leaderCareer passing yardsSeason(s)Refs
(11 years)Arnie HerberGreen Bay Packers6391932
1,2951933
2,0941934
2,8231935
4,0621936
4,7461937
5,0821938
6,1891939
6,7491940–1942
(16 years)Sammy BaughWashington Redskins8,3791943
9,2281944
10,8971945
12,0601946
14,9981947
17,5971948
19,5001949
20,6301950
21,7341951
21,8861952–1958
(5 years)Bobby LaynePittsburgh Steelers22,0631959
23,8771960
25,0821961
26,7681962–1963
(4 years)Y. A. TittleNew York Giants28,3391964–1967title=Y.A. Tittleurl=http://www.nfl.com/player/y.a.tittle/2527468/profileaccess-date=September 12, 2017website=NFL.compublisher=National Football Leaguearchive-date=September 12, 2017archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912103329/http://www.nfl.com/player/y.a.tittle/2527468/profileurl-status=live }}
(8 years)Johnny UnitasBaltimore Colts (1968–1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973)33,1601968
35,5021969
37,7151970
38,6571971
39,7681972
40,2391973–1975
(19 years)Fran TarkentonMinnesota Vikings41,8011976
43,5351977
47,0031978–1994
(12 years)Dan MarinoMiami Dolphins48,8411995
51,6361996
55,4161997
58,9131998
61,3611999–2006
(8 years)Brett FavreGreen Bay Packers ()
New York Jets ()
Minnesota Vikings ()61,6552007
65,1272008
69,3292009
71,8382010–2014
(3 years)Denver Broncos71,9402015–2017
(3 years)New Orleans Saints74,4372018
77,4162019
80,3582020
Since
( years)Tampa Bay Buccaneers84,5202021
89,2142022–present

Notes

References

References

  1. "Beginner's Guide to Football". [[National Football League]].
  2. Brinson, Will. (December 31, 2013). "NFL, Elias reviewing Peyton Manning passing record: lateral or pass?". [[CBS Sports]].
  3. "NFL Passing Yards Career Leaders".
  4. "Tom Brady Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  5. "Drew Brees Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  6. "Peyton Manning Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  7. "Brett Favre Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  8. "Aaron Rodgers Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  9. "Matthew Stafford Stats, Height,Weight, Position, Draught, College".
  10. "Ben Roethlisberger Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  11. "Philip Rivers Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  12. "Matt Ryan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  13. "Dan Marino Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  14. "Eli Manning Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  15. "John Elway Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  16. "Warren Moon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  17. "Joe Flacco Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  18. "Fran Tarkenton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  19. "Russell Wilson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  20. "Carson Palmer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  21. "Vinny Testaverde Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  22. "Kirk Cousins Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draught, College".
  23. "Drew Bledsoe Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  24. "Dan Fouts Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  25. "Derek Carr Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  26. "Kerry Collins Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  27. "Joe Montana Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  28. "Johnny Unitas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  29. "Andy Dalton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  30. "Jared Goff Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draught, College".
  31. "Dave Krieg Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  32. "Boomer Esiason Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  33. "Donovan McNabb Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  34. "Matt Hasselbeck Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  35. "Dak Prescott Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draught, College".
  36. "Patrick Mahomes Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draught, College".
  37. "Alex Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  38. "Jay Cutler Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  39. "Ryan Fitzpatrick Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  40. "Ryan Tannehill Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  41. "Jim Everett Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  42. "Jim Hart Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  43. "Steve DeBerg Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  44. "Tony Romo Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  45. "John Hadl Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  46. "Phil Simms Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  47. "Steve Young Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  48. "Tittle Stats".
  49. "Troy Aikman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  50. "Ken Anderson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  51. "Cam Newton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  52. "Kurt Warner Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  53. "NFL Passing Yards Career Playoffs Leaders".
  54. "Patrick Mahomes Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  55. "Josh Allen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draught, College".
  56. "Terry Bradshaw Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  57. "Roger Staubach Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  58. "Ken Stabler Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  59. "Arnie Herber Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  60. "Sammy Baugh Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  61. "Bobby Layne Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  62. "Y.A. Tittle". National Football League.
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