List of National Football League career passing yards 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 list shows the top 50 National Football League quarterbacks with the most career regular season passing yards, the top 25 NFL playoff passing yards leaders, and the timeline of regular season record holders.

Tom Brady holds the regular season record with 89,214 passing yards. He also holds the playoff record, with 13,400 yards. Both of these combine to 102,614 yards.

Regular season career passing yards leaders

Tom Brady is the all-time regular season career passing yards leader with 89,214 and all-time playoff passing yards leader with 13,400.

Key

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

Through 2022 season.

Rank	Player	Team(s) by season	Yards	GP	YPG
1	Brady, TomTom Brady	New England Patriots (2000–2019) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022)	89,214	335	266.3
2	Brees, DrewDrew Brees	San Diego Chargers (2001–2005) New Orleans Saints (2006–2020)	80,358	287	280.0
3	Manning, PeytonPeyton Manning^	Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011) Denver Broncos (2012–2015)	71,940	266	270.5
4	Favre, BrettBrett Favre^	Atlanta Falcons (1991) Green Bay Packers (1992–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)	71,838	302	237.9
5	Roethlisberger, BenBen Roethlisberger	Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2021)	64,088	249	257.4
6	Rivers, PhilipPhilip Rivers	San Diego/L.A. Chargers (2004–2019) Indianapolis Colts (2020)	63,440	244	260.0
7	Ryan, MattMatt Ryan*	Atlanta Falcons (2008–2021) Indianapolis Colts (2022–present)	62,792	234	268.3
8	Marino, DanDan Marino^	Miami Dolphins (1983–1999)	61,361	242	253.6
9	Rodgers, AaronAaron Rodgers*	Green Bay Packers (2005–present)	59,055	230	256.8
10	Manning, EliEli Manning	New York Giants (2004–2019)	57,023	236	241.6
11	Stafford, MatthewMatthew Stafford*	Detroit Lions (2009–2020) Los Angeles Rams (2021–present)	52,082	191	272.7
12	Elway, JohnJohn Elway^	Denver Broncos (1983–1998)	51,475	234	220.0
13	Moon, WarrenWarren Moon^	Houston Oilers (1984–1993) Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996) Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998) Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000)	49,325	208	237.1
14	Tarkenton, FranFran Tarkenton^	Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966, 1972–1978) New York Giants (1967–1971)	47,003	246	191.1
15	Palmer, CarsonCarson Palmer	Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2010) Oakland Raiders (2011–2012) Arizona Cardinals (2013–2017)	46,247	182	254.1
16	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)	46,233	233	198.4
17	Bledsoe, DrewDrew Bledsoe	New England Patriots (1993–2001) Buffalo Bills (2002–2004) Dallas Cowboys (2005–2006)	44,611	194	230.0
18	Fouts, DanDan Fouts^	San Diego Chargers (1973–1987)	43,040	181	237.8
19	Flacco, JoeJoe Flacco*	Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018) Denver Broncos (2019) New York Jets (2020, 2021–present) Philadelphia Eagles (2021)	42,320	183	231.3
20	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)	40,922	198	206.7
21	Wilson, RussellRussell Wilson*	Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021) Denver Broncos (2022–present)	40,583	173	234.6
22	Montana, JoeJoe Montana^	San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992) Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994)	40,551	192	211.2
23	Unitas, JohnnyJohnny Unitas^	Baltimore Colts (1956–1972) San Diego Chargers (1973)	40,239	211	190.7
24	Dalton, AndyAndy Dalton*	Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019) Dallas Cowboys (2020) Chicago Bears (2021) New Orleans Saints (2022–present)	38,150	166	229.8
25	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)	38,147	213	179.1
26	Esiason, BoomerBoomer Esiason	Cincinnati Bengals (1984–1992, 1997) New York Jets (1993–1995) Arizona Cardinals (1996)	37,920	187	202.8
27	McNabb, DonovanDonovan McNabb	Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009) Washington Redskins (2010) Minnesota Vikings (2011)	37,276	167	223.2
28	Cousins, KirkKirk Cousins*	Washington Redskins (2012–2017) Minnesota Vikings (2018–present)	37,140	142	261.5
29	Hasselbeck, MattMatt Hasselbeck	Green Bay Packers (1999–2000) Seattle Seahawks (2001–2010) Tennessee Titans (2011–2012) Indianapolis Colts (2013–2015)	36,638	209	175.3
30	Smith, AlexAlex Smith	San Francisco 49ers (2005–2012) Kansas City Chiefs (2013–2017) Washington Redskins/Football Team (2018), (2020)	35,650	174	204.9
31	Kelly, JimJim Kelly^	Buffalo Bills (1986–1996)	35,467	160	221.7
32	Carr, DerekDerek Carr*	Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014–present)	35,222	142	248.0
33	Cutler, JayJay Cutler	Denver Broncos (2006–2008) Chicago Bears (2009–2016) Miami Dolphins (2017)	35,133	153	229.6
34	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)	34,990	166	210.8
34	Everett, JimJim Everett	Los Angeles Rams (1986–1993) New Orleans Saints (1994–1996) San Diego Chargers (1997)	34,837	158	220.5
36	Hart, JimJim Hart	St. Louis Cardinals (1966–1983) Washington Redskins (1984)	34,665	201	172.5
37	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)	34,241	206	166.2
38	Romo, TonyTony Romo	Dallas Cowboys (2003–2016)	34,183	156	219.1
39	Hadl, JohnJohn Hadl	San Diego Chargers (1962–1972) Los Angeles Rams (1973–1974) Green Bay Packers (1974–1975) Houston Oilers (1976–1977)	33,503	224	149.6
40	Simms, PhilPhil Simms	New York Giants (1979–1993)	33,462	164	204.0
41	Tannehill, RyanRyan Tannehill*	Miami Dolphins (2012–2018) Tennessee Titans (2019–present)	33,265	145	229.4
42	Young, SteveSteve Young^	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986) San Francisco 49ers (1987–1997)	33,124	169	196.0
43	Aikman, TroyTroy Aikman^	Dallas Cowboys (1989–2000)	32,942	165	199.6
44	Anderson, KenKen Anderson	Cincinnati Bengals (1971–1986)	32,838	192	171.0
45	Newton, CamCam Newton	Carolina Panthers (2011–2019, 2021) New England Patriots (2020)	32,382	148	218.8
46	Warner, KurtKurt Warner^	St. Louis Rams (1998–2003) New York Giants (2004) Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)	32,344	124	260.8
47	Jurgensen, SonnySonny Jurgensen^	Philadelphia Eagles (1957–1963) Washington Redskins (1964–1974)	32,224	218	147.8
48	Brunell, MarkMark 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	193	166.2
49	Brodie, JohnJohn Brodie	San Francisco 49ers (1957–1973)	31,548	201	157.0
50	McNair, SteveSteve McNair	Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1995–2005) Baltimore Ravens (2006–2007)	31,304	161	194.4

Note: Y. A. Tittle passed for 33,070 yards in his career. That would put him 43rd on this list. But, 4,731 of those yards came in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). The NFL does not recognize statistics and records from the AAFC to date. Tittle's career passing yards total in the NFL are 28,339.

Playoff leaders

Through start of Super Bowl LVII of 2022–23 NFL playoffs. 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	Brady, TomTom Brady	New England Patriots (2000–2019) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022)	13,400	279.2
2	Manning, PeytonPeyton Manning^	Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011) Denver Broncos (2012–2015)	7,339	271.8
3	Roethlisberger, BenBen Roethlisberger	Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2021)	5,972	259.7
4	Rodgers, AaronAaron Rodgers*	Green Bay Packers (2005–present)	5,894	267.9
5	Favre, BrettBrett Favre^	Atlanta Falcons (1991) Green Bay Packers (1992–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)	5,855	244.0
6	Montana, JoeJoe Montana^	San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992) Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994)	5,772	251.0
7	Brees, DrewDrew Brees	San Diego Chargers (2001–2005) New Orleans Saints (2006–2020)	5,366	298.1
8	Elway, JohnJohn Elway^	Denver Broncos (1983–1998)	4,964	225.6
9	Marino, DanDan Marino^	Miami Dolphins (1983–1999)	4,510	250.6
10	Warner, KurtKurt Warner^	St. Louis Rams (1998–2003) New York Giants (2004) Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)	3,952	304.00
11	Mahomes, PatrickPatrick Mahomes*	Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present)	3,902	300.15
12	Kelly, JimJim Kelly^	Buffalo Bills (1986–1996)	3,863	227.2
13	Aikman, TroyTroy Aikman^	Dallas Cowboys (1989–2000)	3,849	240.6
14	Bradshaw, TerryTerry Bradshaw^	Pittsburgh Steelers (1970–1983)	3,833	201.7
15	Wilson, RussellRussell Wilson*	Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021) Denver Broncos (2022–present)	3,786	236.6
16	McNabb, DonovanDonovan McNabb	Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009) Washington Redskins (2010) Minnesota Vikings (2011)	3,752	234.5
17	Young, SteveSteve Young^	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986) San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)	3,326	151.2
18	Flacco, JoeJoe Flacco*	Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018) Denver Broncos (2019) New York Jets (2020, 2021–present) Philadelphia Eagles (2021)	3,223	214.9
19	Rivers, PhilipPhilip Rivers	San Diego/L.A. Chargers (2004–2019) Indianapolis Colts (2020)	2,965	247.1
20	Moon, WarrenWarren Moon^	Houston Oilers (1984–2003) Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996) Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998) Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000)	2,870	287.0
21	Staubach, RogerRoger Staubach^	Dallas Cowboys (1969–1979)	2,817	140.9
22	Manning, EliEli Manning	New York Giants (2004–2019)	2,815	234.6
23	Hasselbeck, MattMatt Hasselbeck	Green Bay Packers (1998–2000) Seattle Seahawks (2001–2010) Tennessee Titans (2011–2012) Indianapolis Colts (2013–2015)	2,741	249.2
24	Ryan, MattMatt Ryan*	Atlanta Falcons (2008–2021) Indianapolis Colts (2022–present)	2,672	267.2
25	Stabler, KenKen Stabler^	Oakland Raiders (1970–1979) Houston Oilers (1980–1981) New Orleans Saints (1982–1984)	2,641	203.2

Historical passing yards leaders

Eleven players are recognised as having held the record as the NFL's career passing yards leader. The longest record holder was Fran Tarkenton. He held the record for nineteen years.

Reign	Player	Team(s) while leader	Career passing yards	Season(s)
1932–1942 (11 years)	Arnie Herber^	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^	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^	Pittsburgh Steelers	22,063	1959
			23,877	1960
			25,082	1961
			26,768	1962–1963
1964–1967 (4 years)	Y. A. Tittle^	New York Giants	28,339	1964–1967
1968–1975 (8 years)	Johnny Unitas^	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^	Minnesota Vikings	41,801	1976
			43,535	1977
			47,003	1978–1994
1995–2006 (12 years)	Dan Marino^	Miami Dolphins	48,841	1995
			51,636	1996
			55,416	1997
			58,913	1998
			61,361	1999–2006
2007–2014 (8 years)	Brett Favre^	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)	Manning, PeytonPeyton Manning^	Denver Broncos	71,940	2015–2017
2018–2020 (3 years)	Brees, DrewDrew Brees	New Orleans Saints	74,437	2018
			77,416	2019
			80,358	2020
Since 2021 (3 years)	Brady, TomTom Brady	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	84,520	2021
			89,214	2022–2024

List Of National Football League Career Passing Yards Leaders Media

• 

  Tom Brady is the all-time regular season career passing yards leader with 89,214 and all-time playoff passing yards leader with 13,400.

See also

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

References

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