List of National Football League career passing completions leaders

NFL lists
Quarterbacks Career passing touchdowns leaders Career passing yards leaders Career passer rating leaders Career completions/attempts Career wins Annual passing touchdowns leaders Annual passing yards leaders Annual passer rating leaders Annual completion percentage leaders Playoff records 5000 yard seasons Consecutive starts Consecutive games with TD pass Starting quarterbacks by team: BUF MIA NE NYJ BAL CIN CLE PIT HOU IND JAX TEN DEN KC LV LAC DAL NYG PHI WAS CHI DET GB MIN ATL CAR NO TB ARI LAR SF SEA
Running backs Career rushing yards leaders Career rushing touchdowns leaders Career rushing attempts leaders Annual rushing yards leaders Annual rushing touchdowns leaders 2,000-yard club 1,000-yard duos
Receivers Career receptions leaders Career receiving yards leaders Career receiving touchdowns leaders Annual receptions leaders Annual receiving yards leaders Annual receiving touchdowns leaders Triple crown winners 1,000 yard trios
Defense Career sacks leaders Career interceptions leaders Annual sacks leaders Annual interceptions leaders Annual forced fumbles leaders
Special teams Longest field goals Career punting yards leaders Career kickoff return yards leaders Annual punting yards leaders Annual punt return yards leaders Annual kickoff return yards leaders
Other lists Career all-purpose yards leaders Career scoring leaders Annual scoring leaders Career games played Most consecutive starts (and games played) National Football League records All-time NFL team wins-losses NFL individual records NFL team records NFL awards

This is a list of the top 50 National Football League quarterbacks career regular season passing completions and attempts. It also has quarterback playoff completions and attempts by players with over 250 playoff completions. It also has combined career totals.

Tom Brady has the most passing completions with 7,753. He also has the most passing attempts with 12,050. He also leads in playoff completions with 1,200. He also has the most playoff attempts with 1,921.

Regular season completions leaders

Tom Brady is the all-time leader in passing attempts and completions.

Key

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

Through 2022 season.

Rank	Player	Team(s) by season	Completions	Attempts	Pct.
1	Brady, TomTom Brady	New England Patriots (2000–2019) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022)	7,753	12,050	64.3%
2	Brees, DrewDrew Brees	San Diego Chargers (2001–2005) New Orleans Saints (2006–2020)	7,142	10,551	67.7%
3	Favre, BrettBrett Favre^	Atlanta Falcons (1991) Green Bay Packers (1992–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)	6,300	10,169	62.0%
4	Manning, PeytonPeyton Manning^	Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011) Denver Broncos (2012–2015)	6,125	9,380	65.3%
5	Ryan, MattMatt Ryan*	Atlanta Falcons (2008–2021) Indianapolis Colts (2022–present)	5,551	8,464	65.6%
6	Roethlisberger, BenBen Roethlisberger	Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2021)	5,440	8,443	64.4%
7	Rivers, PhilipPhilip Rivers	San Diego/L.A. Chargers (2004–2019) Indianapolis Colts (2020)	5,277	8,134	64.9%
8	Rodgers, AaronAaron Rodgers*	Green Bay Packers (2005–present)	5,001	7,660	65.3%
9	Marino, DanDan Marino^	Miami Dolphins (1983–1998)	4,967	8,358	59.4%
10	Manning, EliEli Manning	New York Giants (2004–2019)	4,895	8,119	60.3%
11	Stafford, MatthewMatthew Stafford*	Detroit Lions (2009–2020) Los Angeles Rams (2021–present)	4,508	7,128	63.2%
12	Elway, JohnJohn Elway^	Denver Broncos (1983–1998)	4,123	7,250	56.9%
13	Moon, WarrenWarren Moon^	Houston Oilers (1984–1993) Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996) Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998) Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000)	3,988	6,823	58.4%
14	Palmer, CarsonCarson Palmer	Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2010) Oakland Raiders (2011–2012) Arizona Cardinals (2013–2017)	3,941	6,307	62.5%
15	Flacco, JoeJoe Flacco*	Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018) Denver Broncos (2019) New York Jets (2020, 2021–present) Philadelphia Eagles (2021)	3,881	6,299	61.6%
16	Bledsoe, DrewDrew Bledsoe	New England Patriots (1993–2001) Buffalo Bills (2002–2004) Dallas Cowboys (2005–2006)	3,839	6,717	57.2%
17	Testaverde, VinnyVinny 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)	3,787	6,701	56.5%
18	Tarkenton, FranFran Tarkenton^	Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966, 1972–1978) New York Giants (1967–1971)	3,686	6,467	57.0%
19	Collins, KerryKerry Collins	Carolina Panthers (1995–1998) New Orleans Saints (1998) New York Giants (1999–2003) Oakland Raiders (2004–2005) Tennessee Titans (2006–2010) Indianapolis Colts (2011)	3,487	6,261	55.7%
20	Montana, JoeJoe Montana^	San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992) Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994)	3,409	5,391	63.2%
21	Dalton, AndyAndy Dalton*	Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019) Dallas Cowboys (2020) Chicago Bears (2021) New Orleans Saints (2022–present)	3,374	5,396	62.5%
22	Wilson, RussellRussell Wilson*	Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021) Denver Broncos (2022–present)	3,371	5,218	64.6%
23	Fouts, DanDan Fouts^	San Diego Chargers (1973–1987)	3,297	5,604	58.8%
24	Smith, AlexAlex Smith	San Francisco 49ers (2005–2012) Kansas City Chiefs (2013–2017) Washington de Team (2018–2020)	3,250	5,193	62.6%
25	Cousins, KirkKirk Cousins*	Washington Redskins (2012–2017) Minnesota Vikings (2018–present)	3,249	4,866	66.8%
26	Hasselbeck, MattMatt Hasselbeck	Green Bay Packers (1999–2000) Seattle Seahawks (2001–2010) Tennessee Titans (2011–2012) Indianapolis Colts (2013–2015)	3,222	5,330	60.5%
27	Carr, DerekDerek Carr*	Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014–present)	3,201	4,958	64.6%
28	McNabb, DonovanDonovan McNabb	Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009) Washington Redskins (2010) Minnesota Vikings (2011)	3,170	5,374	59.0%
29	Krieg, DaveDave Krieg	Seattle Seahawks (1980–1991) Kansas City Chiefs (1992–1993) Detroit Lions (1994) Arizona Cardinals (1995) Chicago Bears (1996) Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998)	3,105	5,311	58.5%
30	Fitzpatrick, RyanRyan 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)	3,072	5,060	60.7%
31	Cutler, JayJay Cutler	Denver Broncos (2006–2008) Chicago Bears (2009–2016) Miami Dolphins (2017)	3,048	4,920	62.0%
32	Esiason, BoomerBoomer Esiason	Cincinnati Bengals (1984–1992, 1997) New York Jets (1993–1995) Arizona Cardinals (1996)	2,969	5,205	57.0%
33	Tannehill, RyanRyan Tannehill*	Miami Dolphins (2012–2018) Tennessee Titans (2019–present)	2,914	4,534	64.3%
34	Aikman, TroyTroy Aikman^	Dallas Cowboys (1989–2000)	2,898	4,715	61.5%
35	DeBerg, SteveSteve DeBerg	San Francisco 49ers (1978–1980) Denver Broncos (1981–1983) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1984–1987, 1992–1993) Kansas City Chiefs (1988–1991) Miami Dolphins (1993) Atlanta Falcons (1998)	2,874	5,024	57.2%
	Kelly, JimJim Kelly^	Buffalo Bills (1986–1996)		4,779	60.1%
37	Everett, JimJim Everett	Los Angeles Rams (1986–1993) New Orleans Saints (1994–1996) San Diego Chargers (1997)	2,841	4,923	57.7%
38	Unitas, JohnnyJohnny Unitas*	Baltimore Colts (1956–1972) San Diego Chargers (1973)	2,830	5,186	54.6%
39	Romo, TonyTony Romo	Dallas Cowboys (2003–2016)	2,829	4,335	65.3%
40	Brunell, MarkMark Brunell	Green Bay Packers (1994) Jacksonville Jaguars (1995–2003) Washington Redskins (2004–2007) New Orleans Saints (2008–2009) New York Jets (2010–2011)	2,761	4,640	59.5%
41	McNair, SteveSteve McNair	Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1995–2005) Baltimore Ravens (2006–2007)	2,733	4,544	60.1%
42	Newton, CamCam Newton	Carolina Panthers (2011–2019, 2021) New England Patriots (2020)	2,682	4,474	59.9%
43	Kitna, JonJon Kitna	Seattle Seahawks (1997–2000) Cincinnati Bengals (2001–2005) Detroit Lions (2006–2008) Dallas Cowboys (2009–2011, 2013)	2,677	4,442	60.3%
44	Johnson, BradBrad Johnson	Minnesota Vikings (1994–1998), (2005–2006) Washington Redskins (1999–2000) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2001–2004)	2,668	4,324	61.7%
45	Young, SteveSteve Young^	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986) San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)	2,667	4,149	64.3%
46	Warner, KurtKurt Warner^	St. Louis Rams (1998–2003) New York Giants (2004) Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)	2,666	4,070	65.5%
47	Anderson, KenKen Anderson	Cincinnati Bengals (1971–1986)	2,654	4,475	59.3%
48	Hart, JimJim Hart	St. Louis Cardinals (1966–1983) Washington Redskins (1984)	2,593	5,076	51.1%
49	Simms, PhilPhil Simms	New York Giants (1979–1993)	2,576	4,647	55.4%
50	Gannon, RichRich Gannon	Minnesota Vikings (1987–1992) Washington Redskins (1993) Kansas City Chiefs (1995–1998) Oakland Raiders (1999–2004)	2,533	4,206	60.2%

Playoff leaders

Through start of Super Bowl LVII of 2022 playoffs. At least 250 completions.

Rank	Player	Team(s) by season	Completions	Attempts	Pct.
1	Brady, TomTom Brady	New England Patriots (2000–2019) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022)	1,200	1,921	62.5%
2	Manning, PeytonPeyton Manning^	Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011) Denver Broncos (2012–2015)	649	1,027	63.2%
3	Rodgers, AaronAaron Rodgers*	Green Bay Packers (2005–present)	501	774	64.7%
4	Roethlisberger, BenBen Roethlisberger	Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2021)	498	788	63.2%
5	Brees, DrewDrew Brees	San Diego Chargers (2001–2005) New Orleans Saints (2006–2020)	481	721	66.7%
	Favre, BrettBrett Favre^	Atlanta Falcons (1991) Green Bay Packers (1992–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)		791	60.8%
7	Montana, JoeJoe Montana^	San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992) Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994)	460	734	62.7%
8	Marino, DanDan Marino^	Miami Dolphins (1983–1999)	385	687	56.0%
9	Elway, JohnJohn Elway^	Denver Broncos (1983–1998)	355	651	54.5%
10	McNabb, DonovanDonovan McNabb	Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009) Washington Redskins (2010) Minnesota Vikings (2011)	341	577	59.1%
11	Mahomes, PatrickPatrick Mahomes*	Kansas City Chiefs (2017-present)	331	496	66.7%
12	Kelly, JimJim Kelly^	Buffalo Bills (1986–1996)	322	545	59.1%
13	Aikman, TroyTroy Aikman^	Dallas Cowboys (1989–2000)	320	502	63.7%
14	Warner, KurtKurt Warner^	St. Louis Rams (1998–2003) New York Giants (2004) Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)	307	462	66.5%
15	Young, SteveSteve Young^	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986) San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)	292	471	62.0%
16	Wilson, RussellRussell Wilson*	Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021) Denver Broncos (2022–present)	275	451	61.0%
17	Bradshaw, TerryTerry Bradshaw^	Pittsburgh Steelers (1970–1983)	261	456	57.2%
18	Moon, WarrenWarren Moon^	Houston Oilers (1984–1993) Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996) Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998) Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000)	259	403	64.3%
19	Flacco, JoeJoe Flacco*	Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018) Denver Broncos (2019) New York Jets (2020, 2021–present) Philadelphia Eagles (2021)	253	447	56.6%

Historical passing completions leaders

Nine players are recognised as having held the record as the NFL's career pass completions leader. The longest record holder was Fran Tarkenton who held the record for 20 years.

"Slinging Sammy" Baugh, is seen as one of the greatest of his generation

Y A Tittle retired as the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions, and games played

Johnny Unitas won an NFL title in the 1950s. He also won a Super Bowl in the 1970s.

Fran Tarkenton about to throw a forward pass in 1965

Brett Favre had held the record from 2006 to 2018, It was broken by Drew Brees. He had also held the record for career pass attempts from 2008 to 2020.

Reign	Player	Team(s) while leader	Career completions	Season
1932–1940 (9 years)	Arnie Herber^	Green Bay Packers	37	1932
			87	1933
			129	1934
			169	1935
			246	1936
			293	1937
			315	1938
			372	1939
			410	1940
1941–1959 (19 years)	Sammy Baugh^	Washington Redskins	414	1941
			546	1942
			670	1943
			761	1944
			889	1945
			976	1946
			1,186	1947
			1,371	1948
			1,516	1949
			1,606	1950
			1,673	1951
			1,693	1952–1959
1960–1968 (9 years)	Y. A. Tittle^	San Francisco 49ers (1960) New York Giants (1961–1964)	1,696	1960
			1,859	1961
			2,059	1962
			2,280	1963
			2,427	1964–1968
1969–1974 (6 years)	Johnny Unitas^	Baltimore Colts (1969–1972) San Diego Chargers (1973)	2,450	1969
			2,616	1970
			2,708	1971
			2,796	1972
			2,830	1973–1974
1975–1994 (20 years)	Fran Tarkenton^	Minnesota Vikings	2,931	1975
			3,186	1976
			3,341	1977
			3,686	1978–1994
1995–2005 (11 years)	Dan Marino^	Miami Dolphins	3,913	1995
			4,134	1996
			4,453	1997
			4,763	1998
			4,967	1999–2005
2006–2017 (12 years)	Brett Favre^	Green Bay Packers (2006–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)	5,021	2006
			5,377	2007
			5,720	2008
			6,083	2009
			6,300	2010–2017
2018–2020 (3 years)	Brees, DrewDrew Brees	New Orleans Saints	6,586	2018
			6,867	2019
			7,142	2020
Since 2021 (4 years)	Brady, TomTom Brady	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	7,263	2021
	7,753		2022–2024

See also

• List of gridiron football quarterbacks passing statistics
• List of National Football League career passing touchdowns leaders
• List of National Football League career passing yards leaders
• List of National Football League career quarterback wins leaders
• List of National Football League records (individual)

References

• PFRef.com enumeration of career passing completions leaders