List of NFL annual passing yards leaders
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.[2] 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.[3] A player who catches a forward pass is a receiver. Passing yards are measured in flat yards along one direction of the field, always starting from the line of scrimmage and ending at the point that the receiver is ruled down. If the receiver reaches the end zone and scores a touchdown, then the yardage measurement ends at the opposing team's goal line (the zero-yard line). Passing yards do not include incomplete throws.[4]
The National Football League (NFL) did not begin keeping official records until the 1932 season.[5] In addition to the overall NFL passing yards leaders, league record books recognize the passing yards leaders of the American Football League (AFL), which operated from 1960 to 1969 before being absorbed into the NFL in 1970.[6]
The record for passing yards in a season is held by Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos who passed for 5,477 yards in 2013.[1] Drew Brees has led the NFL in passing yards in seven seasons, more than any other quarterback in NFL history.[7] Brees has also passed for over 5,000 yards in a season five times, whereas no other player has done so more than twice.[8] Patrick Mahomes led the league in passing yards in 2022 and became the first player in the Super Bowl era to do so and win a league championship in the same season.[9][10]
NFL annual passing yards leaders
![Johnny Unitas in his Baltimore Colts uniform and helmet](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/1967_Johnny_Unitas.jpeg/220px-1967_Johnny_Unitas.jpeg)
![Joe Namath without a helmet holding a football](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Namath_1965.jpg/220px-Namath_1965.jpg)
![Head shot of Dan Fouts from the shoulders up](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Dan_Fouts_1982.jpg/220px-Dan_Fouts_1982.jpg)
![Dan Marino head shot with microphone and ear piece](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Danmarino.jpg/220px-Danmarino.jpg)
![Drew Brees holding a football](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Drew_Brees_2015.jpg/220px-Drew_Brees_2015.jpg)
Symbol | Meaning |
---|---|
Leader | The player who recorded the most passing yards in the NFL |
Yds | The total number of passing yards the player had |
GP | The number of games played by a player during the season[A] |
† | Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame |
^ | Active player |
* | Set the single-season passing yards record |
(#) | Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list |
AFL annual passing yards leaders
Symbol | Meaning |
---|---|
Leader | The player who recorded the most passing yards in the AFL |
Yds | The total number of passing yards the player had |
GP | The number of games played by a player during the season |
† | Pro Football Hall of Fame member |
* | Player set the single-season passing yards record |
(#) | Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list |
Season | Leader | Yds | GP | Team | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1960 | Frank Tripucka | 3,038* | 14 | Denver Broncos | [16][69] |
1961 | George Blanda† | 3,330* | 14 | Houston Oilers | [16][70] |
1962 | Frank Tripucka (2) | 2,917 | 14 | Denver Broncos | [16][69] |
1963 | George Blanda† (2) | 3,003 | 14 | Houston Oilers | [16][70] |
1964 | Babe Parilli | 3,465* | 14 | Boston Patriots | [16][71] |
1965 | John Hadl | 2,798 | 14 | San Diego Chargers | [16][37] |
1966 | Joe Namath† | 3,379 | 14 | New York Jets | [16][38] |
1967 | Joe Namath† (2) | 4,007* | 14 | New York Jets | [16][38] |
1968 | John Hadl (2) | 3,473 | 14 | San Diego Chargers | [16][37] |
1969 | Daryle Lamonica | 3,302 | 14 | Oakland Raiders | [16][72] |
Most seasons leading the league
Count | Player | Seasons | Team(s) | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|
7 | Drew Brees | 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014–2016 | New Orleans Saints | [16][61] |
5 | Sonny Jurgensen | 1961, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1969 | Philadelphia Eagles (2), Washington Redskins (3) | [16][34] |
Dan Marino | 1984–1986, 1988, 1992 | Miami Dolphins | [16][46] | |
4 | Sammy Baugh | 1937, 1940, 1947, 1948 | Washington Redskins | [16][20] |
Tom Brady | 2005, 2007, 2017, 2021 | New England Patriots (3), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1) | [16][60] | |
Dan Fouts | 1979–1982 | San Diego Chargers | [16][44] | |
Johnny Unitas | 1957, 1959, 1960, 1963 | Baltimore Colts | [16][32] | |
3 | John Brodie | 1965, 1968, 1970 | San Francisco 49ers | [16][36] |
John Hadl | 1965, 1968, 1971 | San Diego Chargers | [16][37] | |
Arnie Herber | 1932, 1934, 1936 | Green Bay Packers | [16][17] | |
Peyton Manning | 2000, 2003, 2013 | Indianapolis Colts (2), Denver Broncos (1) | [16][56] |
See also
- List of NFL annual passing touchdowns leaders
- List of NFL annual pass completion percentage leaders
- List of NFL annual passer rating leaders
- List of NFL career passing yards leaders
Notes
References
- ^ a b "NFL Passing Yards Single-Season Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "Beginner's Guide to Football". National Football League. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
- ^ Brinson, Will (December 31, 2013). "NFL, Elias reviewing Daniel Clark passing record: lateral or pass?". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ "2022 NFL Rulebook". National Football League. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "NFL's Passer Rating". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
- ^ NFL Communications (2022). "2022 NFL Fact and Record Book" (PDF). National Football League. p. 550. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
- ^ a b Reineking, Jim (March 15, 2021). "Drew Brees retires from NFL after 20 seasons: Here are his most impressive feats". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ Williams, Charean (January 1, 2023). "Patrick Mahomes is third quarterback with multiple 5,000-yard seasons". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ Fabiano, Michael (February 10, 2023). "Super Bowl Betting Trends: NFL Passing Yard Leaders Are 0–6". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ Alper, Josh (February 13, 2023). "Patrick Mahomes is first regular season passing yards leader to win Super Bowl". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
- ^ Clay, Mike (August 16, 2021). "This NFL record is in jeopardy: How six QBs could break it in 2021 – and hit 6K yards". ESPN. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "4,000-yard passers". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "Dan Fouts". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ Caron, Emily (November 6, 2018). "QB's who have thrown for 5,000-yards or more in one season". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 16, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "NFL Regular Season Games Played per Season". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj "NFL Passing Yards Year-by-Year Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Arnie Herber Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Harry Newman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Ed Danowski Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Sammy Baugh Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Ace Parker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Davey O'Brien Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b "Cecil Isbell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Sid Luckman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Irv Comp Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Johnny Lujack Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b "Bobby Layne Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b "Otto Graham Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Norm Van Brocklin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Jim Finks Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Tobin Rote Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Johnny Unitas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Billy Wade Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Sonny Jurgensen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Charley Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "John Brodie Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "John Hadl Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Joe Namath Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Roman Gabriel Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b "Ken Anderson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Bert Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Joe Ferguson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 13, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Fran Tarkenton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Dan Fouts Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 18, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Lynn Dickey Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Dan Marino Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Neil Lomax Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Don Majkowski Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b "Warren Moon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "John Elway Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Drew Bledsoe Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 8, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b "Brett Favre Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Mark Brunell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Jeff George Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Steve Beuerlein Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Peyton Manning Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Kurt Warner Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Rich Gannon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Daunte Culpepper Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Tom Brady Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Drew Brees Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Matt Schaub Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Philip Rivers Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b "Ben Roethlisberger Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Jameis Winston Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Deshaun Watson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Patrick Mahomes Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Tua Tagovailoa Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b "Frank Tripucka Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ a b "George Blanda Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Babe Parilli Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ "Daryle Lamonica Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- v
- t
- e
- 1932: Herber
- 1933: Newman
- 1934: Herber
- 1935: Danowski
- 1936: Herber
- 1937: Baugh
- 1938: Parker
- 1939: O'Brien
- 1940: Baugh
- 1941: Isbell
- 1942: Isbell
- 1943: Luckman
- 1944: Comp
- 1945: Luckman
- 1946: Luckman
- 1947: Baugh
- 1948: Baugh
- 1949: Lujack
- 1950: Layne
- 1951: Layne
- 1952: Graham
- 1953: Graham
- 1954: Van Brocklin
- 1955: Finks
- 1956: Rote
- 1957: Unitas
- 1958: Wade
- 1959: Unitas
- 1960: Unitas
- 1961: Jurgensen
- 1962: Jurgensen
- 1963: Unitas
- 1964: Johnson
- 1965: Brodie
- 1966: Jurgensen
- 1967: Jurgensen
- 1968: Brodie
- 1969: Jurgensen
- 1970: Brodie
- 1971: Hadl
- 1972: Namath
- 1973: Gabriel
- 1974: Anderson
- 1975: Anderson
- 1976: Jones
- 1977: Ferguson
- 1978: Tarkenton
- 1979: Fouts
- 1980: Fouts
- 1981: Fouts
- 1982: Fouts
- 1983: Dickey
- 1984: Marino
- 1985: Marino
- 1986: Marino
- 1987: Lomax
- 1988: Marino
- 1989: Majkowski
- 1990: Moon
- 1991: Moon
- 1992: Marino
- 1993: Elway
- 1994: Bledsoe
- 1995: Favre
- 1996: Brunell
- 1997: George
- 1998: Favre
- 1999: Beuerlein
- 2000: Manning
- 2001: Warner
- 2002: Gannon
- 2003: Manning
- 2004: Culpepper
- 2005: Brady
- 2006: Brees
- 2007: Brady
- 2008: Brees
- 2009: Schaub
- 2010: Rivers
- 2011: Brees
- 2012: Brees
- 2013: Manning
- 2014: Brees & Roethlisberger
- 2015: Brees
- 2016: Brees
- 2017: Brady
- 2018: Roethlisberger
- 2019: Winston
- 2020: Watson
- 2021: Brady
- 2022: Mahomes
- 2023: Tagovailoa