Top 10 Passing Yards All Time
Hi, my name is Emily Johnson and welcome to my article about the top 10 passing yards all time. As a huge football fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the quarterbacks who have been able to throw for the most yards in NFL history. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 quarterbacks with the most passing yards in NFL history and explore their careers, accomplishments, and what made them so successful.
Curiosities, Statistics, and Facts
- Drew Brees is the all-time leader in passing yards with 80,358 yards, followed by Tom Brady with 79,204 yards
- Only four quarterbacks in NFL history have thrown for over 70,000 yards
- The oldest quarterback in the top 10 is Fran Tarkenton, who retired in 1978
- Peyton Manning and Brett Favre are the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for over 500 touchdowns and 70,000 yards
- Seven of the top 10 quarterbacks in passing yards have won at least one Super Bowl
- The top 10 quarterbacks in passing yards have a combined 757 regular-season wins
Drew Brees
Drew Brees tops the list of the NFL’s all-time passing yards leaders with 80,358 yards. Brees played for the San Diego Chargers and the New Orleans Saints during his career and was known for his accuracy and ability to read defenses. Brees led the Saints to a Super Bowl victory in 2009 and was named the game’s MVP.
One of the most impressive feats of Brees’ career was his ability to consistently throw for over 5,000 yards in a season. He accomplished this feat five times, more than any other quarterback in NFL history. Brees retired from the NFL after the 2020 season, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
Tom Brady
Tom Brady is second on the list of all-time passing yards leaders with 79,204 yards. Brady played for the New England Patriots for 20 seasons before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. Brady is known for his clutch performances in big games and has won seven Super Bowls, more than any other player in NFL history.
One of the most impressive aspects of Brady’s career is his longevity. At 44 years old, Brady is still playing at a high level and shows no signs of slowing down. Brady has also been able to adapt his game to different offensive systems and has played for multiple head coaches during his career.
Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning is third on the list of all-time passing yards leaders with 71,940 yards. Manning played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos during his career and was known for his intelligence and ability to audible at the line of scrimmage. Manning won two Super Bowls during his career and was named the game’s MVP in both victories.
Manning’s ability to read defenses and make adjustments on the fly made him one of the most cerebral quarterbacks in NFL history. He also holds the record for most touchdown passes in a single season with 55, a record he set in 2013 with the Broncos.
Brett Favre
Brett Favre is fourth on the list of all-time passing yards leaders with 71,838 yards. Favre played for the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and the Minnesota Vikings during his career and was known for his toughness and ability to make plays outside of the pocket.
Favre’s best season came in 1995 when he led the Packers to a Super Bowl victory and was named the league’s MVP. Favre also holds the record for most consecutive starts by an NFL quarterback with 297.
Dan Marino
Dan Marino is fifth on the list of all-time passing yards leaders with 61,361 yards. Marino played for the Miami Dolphins during his career and was known for his quick release and strong arm.
Marino’s best season came in 1984 when he threw for 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns, both of which were NFL records at the time. Marino never won a Super Bowl during his career, but his impact on the game cannot be understated.
John Elway
John Elway is sixth on the list of all-time passing yards leaders with 51,475 yards. Elway played for the Denver Broncos during his career and was known for his arm strength and ability to make plays on the run.
Elway led the Broncos to two Super Bowl victories in the late 1990s and was named the game’s MVP in his final career game. Elway’s ability to make clutch plays in big moments made him one of the greatest quarterbacks of his era.
Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers is seventh on the list of all-time passing yards leaders with 63,440 yards. Rivers played for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, the Indianapolis Colts, and the San Francisco 49ers during his career and was known for his accuracy and toughness.
Rivers never won a Super Bowl during his career, but his consistency and durability made him one of the most reliable quarterbacks in NFL history. Rivers retired from the NFL after the 2020 season.
Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger is eighth on the list of all-time passing yards leaders with 60,348 yards. Roethlisberger has played for the Pittsburgh Steelers during his entire career and is known for his ability to extend plays and make throws downfield.
Roethlisberger has won two Super Bowls during his career and has been named to the Pro Bowl six times. Despite battling injuries in recent seasons, Roethlisberger remains one of the most respected quarterbacks in the game.
Warren Moon
Warren Moon is ninth on the list of all-time passing yards leaders with 49,325 yards. Moon played for the Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and the Kansas City Chiefs during his career and was known for his strong arm and ability to make plays on the move.
Moon was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and remains one of the most respected quarterbacks in NFL history.
Fran Tarkenton
Fran Tarkenton is tenth on the list of all-time passing yards leaders with 47,003 yards. Tarkenton played for the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants during his career and was known for his ability to improvise and make plays outside of the pocket.
Tarkenton retired in 1978 but remains one of the most beloved quarterbacks in NFL history. His ability to make something out of nothing and his toughness made him a fan favorite during his playing days.
FAQs
Who has the most passing yards in NFL history?
Drew Brees currently holds the record for the most passing yards in NFL history with 80,358 yards.
Who is the oldest quarterback in the top 10 for passing yards?
Fran Tarkenton is the oldest quarterback in the top 10 for passing yards. He retired in 1978.
How many quarterbacks in NFL history have thrown for over 70,000 yards?
Only four quarterbacks in NFL history have thrown for over 70,000 yards: Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Brett Favre.
Who has won the most Super Bowls among the top 10 quarterbacks in passing yards?
Tom Brady has won the most Super Bowls among the top 10 quarterbacks in passing yards with seven.