List of National Football League career passing yards leaders

Regular season career passing yards leaders
Drew Brees is the all-time passing yards leader.
Tom Brady is second all-time in passing yards, regular season-wise, but is the all-time playoffs passing yards leader.
Key
^ Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who is still active in the NFL

Through end of 2019 season

Rank Player Team(s) by season Yards Y/G
1 Drew Brees* San Diego Chargers (2001–2005)
New Orleans Saints (2006–present)		 77,416 281.5
2 Tom Brady* New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–present)		 74,571 261.7
3 Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011)
Denver Broncos (2012–2015)		 71,940 270.5
4 Brett Favre^ Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)		 71,838 237.9
5 Dan Marino^ Miami Dolphins (1983–1999) 61,361 253.6
6 Philip Rivers* San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2004–2019)
Indianapolis Colts (2020–present)		 59,271 260.0
7 Eli Manning New York Giants (2004–2019) 57,023 241.6
8 Ben Roethlisberger* Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–present) 56,545 259.4
9 John Elway^ Denver Broncos (1983–1998) 51,475 220.0
10 Matt Ryan* Atlanta Falcons (2008–present) 51,186 270.8
11 Warren Moon^ Houston Oilers (1984–1993)
Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998)
Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000)		 49,325 237.1
12 Fran Tarkenton^ Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966, 1972–1978)
New York Giants (1967–1971)		 47,003 191.1
13 Aaron Rodgers* Green Bay Packers (2005–present) 46,946 259.4
14 Carson Palmer Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2010)
Oakland Raiders (2011–2012)
Arizona Cardinals (2013–2017)		 46,247 254.1
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)		 46,233 198.4
16 Drew Bledsoe New England Patriots (1993–2001)
Buffalo Bills (2002–2004)
Dallas Cowboys (2005–2006)		 44,611 230.0
17 Dan Fouts^ San Diego Chargers (1973–1987) 43,040 237.8
18 Matthew Stafford* Detroit Lions (2009–present) 41,025 275.3
19 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)		 40,922 206.7
20 Joe Montana^ San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992)
Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994)		 40,551 211.2
21 Johnny Unitas^ Baltimore Colts (1956–1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973)		 40,239 190.7
22 Joe Flacco Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018)
Denver Broncos (2019),
New York Jets (2020-present)		 40,067 234.3
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)		 38,147 179.1
24 Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals (1984-1992, 1997 )
New York Jets (1993–1995)
Arizona Cardinals (1996)		 37,920 202.8
25 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011)		 37,276 223.2
26 Matt Hasselbeck Green Bay Packers (1998–2000)
Seattle Seahawks (2001–2010)
Tennessee Titans (2011–2012)
Indianapolis Colts (2013–2015)		 36,638 175.3
27 Jim Kelly^ Buffalo Bills (1986–1996) 35,467 221.7
28 Jay Cutler Denver Broncos (2006–2008)
Chicago Bears (2009–2016)
Miami Dolphins (2017)		 35,133 229.6
29 Jim Everett Los Angeles Rams (1986–1993)
New Orleans Saints (1994–1996)
San Diego Chargers (1997)		 34,837 220.5
30 Jim Hart St. Louis Cardinals (1966–1983)
Washington Redskins (1984)		 34,665 172.5
31 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)		 34,241 166.2
32 Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys (2003–2016) 34,183 219.1
33 Alex Smith* San Francisco 49ers (2005–2012)
Kansas City Chiefs (2013–2017)
Washington Redskins (2018–present)		 34,068 205.2
34 John Hadl San Diego Chargers (1962–1972)
Los Angeles Rams (1973–1974)[lower-alpha 3]
Green Bay Packers (1974–1975)
Houston Oilers (1976–1977)		 33,503 149.6
35 Phil Simms New York Giants (1979–1993) 33,462 204.0
36 Steve Young^ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)		 33,124 196.0
37 Troy Aikman^ Dallas Cowboys (1989–2000) 32,942 199.6
38 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)		 32,886 210.8
39 Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals (1971–1986) 32,838 171.0
40 Kurt Warner^ St. Louis Rams (1998–2003)
New York Giants (2004)
Arizona Cardinals(2005–2009)		 32,344 260.8
41 Sonny Jurgensen^ Philadelphia Eagles (1957–1963)
Washington Redskins (1964–1974)		 32,224 147.8
42 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)		 32,072 166.2
43 Andy Dalton* Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019)
Dallas Cowboys (2020–present)		 31,594 237.5
44 John Brodie San Francisco 49ers (1957–1973) 31,548 157.0
45 Steve McNair Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1995–2005)
Baltimore Ravens (2006–2007)		 31,304 194.4
46 Norm Snead Washington Redskins (1961–1963)
Philadelphia Eagles (1964–1970)
Minnesota Vikings (1971)
New York Giants (1972–1974, 1976)
San Francisco 49ers (1974–1975)		 30,797 173.0
47 Randall Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles (1985–1995)
Minnesota Vikings (1997–1999)
Dallas Cowboys (2000)
Baltimore Ravens (2001)		 29,979 186.2
48 Joe Ferguson Buffalo Bills (1973–1984)
Detroit Lions (1985–1987)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1988–1989)
Indianapolis Colts (1990)		 29,817 160.3
49 Jon Kitna Seattle Seahawks (1997–2000)
Cincinnati Bengals (2001–2005)
Detroit Lions (2006–2008)
Dallas Cowboys (2009–2011; 2013)		 29,745 211.0
50 Russell Wilson* Seattle Seahawks (2012–present) 29,734 232.3
  • Note: 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]

Players with at least 3,000 postseason career passing yards

Through end of 2019 playoffs[4]

Rank Player Team(s) by season Yards
1 Tom Brady* New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–present)		 11,388
2 Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011)
Denver Broncos (2012–2015)		 7,339
3 Brett Favre^ Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)		 5,855
4 Joe Montana^ San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992)
Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994)		 5,772
5 Ben Roethlisberger* Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–present) 5,256
6 Aaron Rodgers* Green Bay Packers (2005–present) 5,027
7 Drew Brees* San Diego Chargers (2001–2005)
New Orleans Saints (2006–present)		 4,967
8 John Elway^ Denver Broncos (1983–1998) 4,964
9 Dan Marino^ Miami Dolphins (1983–1999) 4,510
10 Kurt Warner^ St. Louis Rams (1998–2003)
New York Giants (2004)
Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)		 3,952
11 Jim Kelly^ Buffalo Bills (1986–1996) 3,863
12 Troy Aikman^ Dallas Cowboys (1989–2000) 3,849
13 Terry Bradshaw^ Pittsburgh Steelers (1970–1983) 3,833
14 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011)		 3,752
15 Russell Wilson* Seattle Seahawks (2012–present) 3,612
16 Steve Young^ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)		 3,326
17 Joe Flacco* Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018)
Denver Broncos (2019)
New York Jets (2020–present)		 3,223

Players with the most career passing yards including playoff games

Active players are in bold; minimum 60K yards.

1 Tom Brady 85,959
2 Drew Brees 82,383
3 Peyton Manning 79,279
4 Brett Favre 77,693
5 Dan Marino 65,871
6 Philip Rivers 61,927
7 Ben Roethlisberger 61,801

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.

ReignPlayerTeam(s) while leaderCareer passing yardsSeason(s)
1932–1942
(11 years)		Arnie Herber^
[6]		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^
[7]		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^
[8]		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^
[9]		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^
[10]		Minnesota Vikings41,8011976
43,5351977
47,0031978–1994
1995–2006
(12 years)		Dan Marino^
[11]		Miami Dolphins48,8411995
51,6361996
55,4161997
58,9131998
61,3611999–2006
2007–2014
(8 years)		Brett Favre^
[12]		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
[13]		 Denver Broncos 71,940 2015–2017
Since 2018
(2 years)		Drew Brees
[14]		 New Orleans Saints 74,4372018
77,4162019

See also

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.

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 078649946X. 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 February 3, 2020.
  5. Bryan Frye (March 9, 2016). "History of the Career Passing Yards Record". Grid Fe. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  6. "Arnie Herber stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  7. "Sammy Baugh stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  8. "Bobby Layne stats". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  9. "Johnny Unitas stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  10. "Fran Tarkenton stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  11. "Dan Marino stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  12. "Brett Favre stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  13. "Peyton Manning stats". PFRef.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  14. "Drew Brees stats". PFRef.com. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
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