List of National Football League career passing yards leaders

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

NFL lists
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Receivers
Defense
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Other lists

Tom Brady holds the record with 84,520 passing yards, the most playoff yards with 13,049, and combined regular season and playoff passing yards with 97,569.

Regular season career passing yards leaders
Tom Brady is the all-time regular season career passing yards leader with 84,520.
Key
^ Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who is still active

Through 2021 season.

Rank Player Team(s) by season Yards YPG
1 Tom Brady* New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–present)		 84,520 265.79
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 Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2021) 64,088 257.38
6 Philip Rivers San Diego/L.A. Chargers (2004–2019)
Indianapolis Colts (2020)		 63,440 260.00
7 Dan Marino^ Miami Dolphins (1983–1999) 61,361 253.56
8 Matt Ryan* Atlanta Falcons (2008-2021
Indianapolis Colts (2022-present)		 59,735 269.08
9 Eli Manning New York Giants (2004–2019) 57,023 241.62
10 Aaron Rodgers* Green Bay Packers (2005–present) 55,360 259.91
11 John Elway^ Denver Broncos (1983–1998) 51,475 219.98
12 Matthew Stafford* Detroit Lions (2009–2020)
Los Angeles Rams (2021–present)		 49,995 274.70
13 Warren Moon^ Houston Oilers (1984–1993)
Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998)
Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000)		 49,325 237.14
14 Fran Tarkenton^ Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966, 1972–1978)
New York Giants (1967–1971)		 47,003 191.07
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 (2020,2021-present)
Philadelphia Eagles (2021)		 41,269 231.85
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 Russell Wilson* Seattle Seahawks (2012-2021)
Denver Broncos (2022-present)		 37,059 234.55
27 Matt Hasselbeck Green Bay Packers (1998–2000)
Seattle Seahawks (2001–2010)
Tennessee Titans (2011–2012)
Indianapolis Colts (2013–2015)		 36,638 175.30
28 Alex Smith San Francisco 49ers (2005–2012)
Kansas City Chiefs (2013–2017)
Washington Redskins/Football Team (2018–2020)		 35,650 204.89
29 Jim Kelly^ Buffalo Bills (1986-1996) 35,467 221.67
30 Andy Dalton* Cincinnati Bengals (2011-2019)
Dallas Cowboys (2020)
Chicago Bears (2021)
New Orleans Saints (2022-present)		 35,278 232.09
31 Jay Cutler Denver Broncos (2006–2008)
Chicago Bears (2009–2016)
Miami Dolphins (2017)		 35,133 229.63
32 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/Commanders (2021–present)		 34,990 210.78
33 Jim Everett Los Angeles Rams (1986–1993)
New Orleans Saints (1994–1996)
San Diego Chargers (1997)		 34,837 220.49
34 Jim Hart St. Louis Cardinals (1966–1983)
Washington Redskins (1984)		 34,665 172.46
35 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
36 Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys (2003–2016) 34,183 219.12
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
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 Kirk Cousins* Washington Redskins (2012-2017)
Minnesota Vikings (2018-present)		 32,593 260.74
43 Cam Newton* Carolina Panthers (2011-2019, 2021-present)
New England Patriots (2020)		 32,382 221.79
44 Kurt Warner^ St. Louis Rams (1998–2003)
New York Giants (2004)
Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)		 32,344 260.84
45 Sonny Jurgensen^ Philadelphia Eagles (1957–1963)
Washington Redskins (1964–1974)		 32,224 147.82
46 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
47 Derek Carr* Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014-present) 31,700 249.61
48 John Brodie San Francisco 49ers (1957-1973) 31,548 156.96
49 Steve McNair Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1995–2005)
Baltimore Ravens (2006–2007)		 31,304 194.43
50 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

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 player not in top 50 but with at least 30,000 passing yards

Through 2021 season; includes ranking.

1 Ryan Tannehill 30,729 (51st)

Playoff leaders

Through 2021–22 NFL playoffs.[4] Here is a list of the top 25 NFL players with the most postseason passing yards.

Rank Player Team(s) by season Yards YPG
1 Tom Brady* New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–present)		 13,049 277.64
2 Peyton Manning^ Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011)
Denver Broncos (2012–2015)		 7,339 271.81
3 Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2021) 5,972 259.65
4 Aaron Rodgers* Green Bay Packers (2005–present) 5,894 267.91
5 Brett Favre^ Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)		 5,855 243.96
6 Joe Montana^ San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992)
Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994)		 5,772 250.96
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 (2012–2021)
Denver Broncos (2022-present)		 3,786 236.63
15 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011)		 3,752 234.50
16 Patrick Mahomes* Kansas City Chiefs (2017-present) 3,381 307.36
17 Steve Young^ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)		 3,326 151.18
18 Joe Flacco* Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018)
Denver Broncos (2019)
New York Jets (2020, 2021–present)
Philadelphia Eagles (2021)		 3,223 214.87
19 Philip Rivers San Diego/L.A. Chargers (2004–2019)
Indianapolis Colts (2020)		 2,965 247.08
20 Warren Moon^ Houston Oilers (1984–2003)
Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998)
Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000)		 2,870 287.00
21 Roger Staubach^ Dallas Cowboys (1969–1979) 2,817 140.85
22 Eli Manning New York Giants (2004–2019) 2,815 234.58
23 Matt Hasselbeck Green Bay Packers (1998–2000)
Seattle Seahawks (2001–2010)
Tennessee Titans (2011–2012)
Indianapolis Colts (2013–2015)		 2,741 249.18
24 Matt Ryan* Atlanta Falcons (2008-2021)
Indianapolis Colts (2022-present)		 2,672 267.20
25 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

Through 2021 playoffs. 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)		 97,569
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 (2004–2021) 70,060
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 Matt Ryan* Atlanta Falcons (2008–2021)
Indianapolis Colts (2022-present)		 62,407
9 Aaron Rodgers* Green Bay Packers (2005-present) 61,254
10 Eli Manning New York Giants (2004–2019) 59,838
11 John Elway^ Denver Broncos (1983–1998) 56,439

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)
1932–1942
(11 years)		Arnie Herber^
[5]		Green Bay Packers6391932
1,2951933
2,0941934
2,8231935
4,0621936
4,7461937
5,0821938
6,1891939
6,7491940–1942
1943–1958
(16 years)		Sammy Baugh^
[6]		Washington Redskins8,3791943
9,2281944
10,8971945
12,0601946
14,9981947
17,5971948
19,5001949
20,6301950
21,7341951
21,8861952–1958
1959–1963
(5 years)		Bobby Layne^
[7]		Pittsburgh Steelers22,0631959
23,8771960
25,0821961
26,7681962–1963
1964–1967
(4 years)		Y. A. Tittle^
[3]		New York Giants28,3391964–1967
1968–1975
(8 years)		Johnny Unitas^
[8]		Baltimore Colts (1968–1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973)		33,1601968
35,5021969
37,7151970
38,6571971
39,7681972
40,2391973–1975
1976–1994
(19 years)		Fran Tarkenton^
[9]		Minnesota Vikings41,8011976
43,5351977
47,0031978–1994
1995–2006
(12 years)		Dan Marino^
[10]		Miami Dolphins48,8411995
51,6361996
55,4161997
58,9131998
61,3611999–2006
2007–2014
(8 years)		Brett Favre^
[11]		Green Bay Packers (2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)		61,6552007
65,1272008
69,3292009
71,8382010–2014
2015–2017
(3 years)		Peyton Manning^
[12]		 Denver Broncos 71,940 2015–2017
2018–2020
(3 years)		Drew Brees
[13]		 New Orleans Saints 74,4372018
77,4162019
80,3582020
Since 2021Tom Brady*
[14]		 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 84,5202021

Notes
  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

References
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. "Y.A. Tittle". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  4. "NFL Passing Yards Career Playoffs Leaders". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  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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