List of NFL career passing completions leaders

Last updated

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

Contents

Tom Brady is the all-time leader in passing completions with 7,753 and passing attempts with 12,050. He also leads in playoff completions and attempts with 1,200 and 1,921, respectively.

Regular season completions leaders

Bolded players indicate making their debut on list.

Tom Brady is the all-time leader in passing attempts and completions. Tom Brady 2019.jpg
Tom Brady is the all-time leader in passing attempts and completions.
Legend
^ Pro Football Hall of Famer
*Active

Through start of 2025 season.

RankPlayerTeam(s) by seasonCompletionsAttemptsPct.
1 Tom Brady New England Patriots (2000 2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020 2022)
7,75312,05064.3%
2 Drew Brees San Diego Chargers (2001 2005)
New Orleans Saints (2006 2020)
7,14210,55167.7%
3 Brett Favre ^ Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992 2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009 2010)
6,30010,16962%
4 Peyton Manning ^ Indianapolis Colts (1998 2011)
Denver Broncos (2012 2015)
6,1259,38065.3%
5 Matt Ryan Atlanta Falcons (2008 2021)
Indianapolis Colts (2022)
5,5518,46465.6%
6 Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers (2004 2021)5,4408,44364.4%
7 Aaron Rodgers * Green Bay Packers (2005 2022)
New York Jets (2023 2024)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2025-present)
5,3578,22765.1%
8 Philip Rivers San Diego/L.A. Chargers (2004 2019)
Indianapolis Colts (2020)
5,2778,13464.9%
9 Matthew Stafford * Detroit Lions (2009 2020)
Los Angeles Rams (2021–present)
5,1748,16663.4%
10 Dan Marino ^ Miami Dolphins (1983 1998)4,9678,35859.4%
11 Eli Manning New York Giants (2004 2019)4,8958,11960.3%
12 Joe Flacco * Baltimore Ravens (2008 2018)
Denver Broncos (2019)
New York Jets (2020, 2021 2022)
Philadelphia Eagles (2021)
Cleveland Browns (2023, 2025-present)
Indianapolis Colts (2024)
4,1666,75161.7%
13 John Elway ^ Denver Broncos (1983 1998)4,1237,25056.9%
14 Warren Moon ^ Houston Oilers (1984 1993)
Minnesota Vikings (1994 1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997 1998)
Kansas City Chiefs (1999 2000)
3,9886,82358.4%
15 Carson Palmer Cincinnati Bengals (2003 2010)
Oakland Raiders (2011 2012)
Arizona Cardinals (2013 2017)
3,9416,30762.5%
16 Russell Wilson * Seattle Seahawks (2012 2021)
Denver Broncos (2022 2023)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024)
New York Giants (2025–present)
3,8826,00164.7%
17 Drew Bledsoe New England Patriots (1993 2001)
Buffalo Bills (2002 2004)
Dallas Cowboys (2005 2006)
3,8396,71757.2%
18 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)
3,7876,70156.5%
19 Kirk Cousins * Washington Redskins (2012 2017)
Minnesota Vikings (2018 2023)
Atlanta Falcons (2024–present)
3,7685,73065.8%
20 Derek Carr Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014 2022)
New Orleans Saints (2023 2024)
3,7655,68565.1%
21 Fran Tarkenton ^ Minnesota Vikings (1961 1966, 1972 1978)
New York Giants (1967 1971)
3,6866,46757%
22 Andy Dalton * Cincinnati Bengals (2011 2019)
Dallas Cowboys (2020)
Chicago Bears (2021)
New Orleans Saints (2022)
Carolina Panthers (2023–present)
3,5145,61462.6%
23 Kerry Collins Carolina Panthers (1995 1998) [a]
New Orleans Saints (1998)
New York Giants (1999 2003)
Oakland Raiders (2004 2005)
Tennessee Titans (2006 2010)
Indianapolis Colts (2011)
3,4876,26155.7%
24 Joe Montana * San Francisco 49ers (1979 1992)
Kansas City Chiefs (1993 1994)
3,4095,39163.2%
25 Dan Fouts ^ San Diego Chargers (1973 1987)3,2975,60458.8%
26 Alex Smith San Francisco 49ers (2005 2012)
Kansas City Chiefs (2013 2017)
Washington Football Team (2018 2020)
3,2505,19362.6%
27 Matt Hasselbeck Green Bay Packers (1999 2000)
Seattle Seahawks (2001 2010)
Tennessee Titans (2011 2012)
Indianapolis Colts (2013 2015)
3,2225,33060.5%
28 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (1999 2009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011)
3,1705,37459%
29 Dave Krieg Seattle Seahawks (1980 1991)
Kansas City Chiefs (1992 1993)
Detroit Lions (1994)
Arizona Cardinals (1995)
Chicago Bears (1996)
Tennessee Oilers (1997 1998)
3,1055,31158.5%
30 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 2020)
Washington Football Team (2021)
3,0725,06060.7%
31 Ryan Tannehill Miami Dolphins (2012 2018)
Tennessee Titans (2019 2023)
3,0634,76464.3%
32 Jay Cutler Denver Broncos (2006 2008)
Chicago Bears (2009 2016)
Miami Dolphins (2017)
3,0484,92062%
33 Jared Goff * Los Angeles Rams (2016 2020)
Detroit Lions (2021–present)
3,0474,64665.6%
34 Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals (1984 1992, 1997)
New York Jets (1993 1995)
Arizona Cardinals (1996)
2,9695,20557%
35 Troy Aikman ^ Dallas Cowboys (1989 2000)2,8984,71561.5%
36 Steve DeBerg San Francisco 49ers (1978 1980)
Denver Broncos (1981 1983)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1984 1987, 1992 1993) [b]
Kansas City Chiefs (1988 1991)
Miami Dolphins (1993)
Atlanta Falcons (1998)
2,8745,02457.2%
Jim Kelly ^ Buffalo Bills (1986 1996)4,77960.1%
38 Jim Everett Los Angeles Rams (1986 1993)
New Orleans Saints (1994 1996)
San Diego Chargers (1997)
2,8414,92357.7%
39 Johnny Unitas ^ Baltimore Colts (1956 1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973)
2,8305,18654.6%
40 Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys (2003 2016)2,8294,33565.3%
41 Dak Prescott * Dallas Cowboys (2016–present)2,7804,15966.8%
42 Patrick Mahomes * Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present)2,7784,17166%
43 Mark Brunell Green Bay Packers (1994)
Jacksonville Jaguars (1995 2003)
Washington Redskins (2004 2007)
New Orleans Saints (2008 2009)
New York Jets (2010 2011)
2,7614,64059.5%
44 Steve McNair Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1995 2005)
Baltimore Ravens (2006 2007)
2,7334,54460.1%
45 Cam Newton Carolina Panthers (2011 2019, 2021)
New England Patriots (2020)
2,6824,47459.9%
46 Jon Kitna Seattle Seahawks (1997 2000)
Cincinnati Bengals (2001 2005)
Detroit Lions (2006 2008)
Dallas Cowboys (2009 2011, 2013)
2,6774,44260.3%
47 Brad Johnson Minnesota Vikings (1994 1998), (2005 2006)
Washington Redskins (1999 2000)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2001 2004)
2,6684,32461.7%
48 Steve Young ^ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985 1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987 1999)
2,6674,14964.3%
49 Kurt Warner ^ St. Louis Rams (1998 2003)
New York Giants (2004)
Arizona Cardinals (2005 2009)
2,6664,07065.5%
50 Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals (1971 1986)2,6544,47559.3%
RankPlayerTeam(s) by seasonCompletionsAttemptsPct.

Playoff leaders

Through 2024 playoffs. [1] Based on at least 250 completions.

RankPlayerTeam(s) by seasonCompletionsAttemptsPct.
1 Tom Brady New England Patriots (2000 2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020 2022)
1,2001,92162.5%
2 Peyton Manning ^ Indianapolis Colts (1998 2011)
Denver Broncos (2012 2015)
6491,02763.2%
3 Patrick Mahomes * Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present)51175567.7%
4 Aaron Rodgers * Green Bay Packers (2005 2022)
New York Jets (2023 2024)
Cleveland Browns (2025-present)
50177464.7%
5 Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers (2004 2021)49878863.2%
6 Drew Brees San Diego Chargers (2001 2005)
New Orleans Saints (2006 2020)
48172166.7%
Brett Favre ^ Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992 2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009 2010)
79160.8%
8 Joe Montana ^ San Francisco 49ers (1979 1992)
Kansas City Chiefs (1993 1994)
46073462.7%
9 Dan Marino ^ Miami Dolphins (1983 1999)38568756%
10 John Elway ^ Denver Broncos (1983 1998)35565154.5%
11 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (1999 2009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011)
34157759.1%
12 Jim Kelly ^ Buffalo Bills (1986 1996)32254559.1%
13 Troy Aikman ^ Dallas Cowboys (1989 2000)32050263.7%
14 Kurt Warner ^ St. Louis Rams (1998 2003)
New York Giants (2004)
Arizona Cardinals (2005 2009)
30746266.5%
15 Josh Allen * Buffalo Bills (2018–present)30446066.1%
16 Russell Wilson * Seattle Seahawks (2012 2021)
Denver Broncos (2022 2023)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024)
New York Giants (2025–present)
29547861.7%
17 Steve Young ^ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985 1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987 1999)
29247162%
18 Joe Flacco * Baltimore Ravens (2008 2018)
Denver Broncos (2019)
New York Jets (2020, 2021 2022)
Philadelphia Eagles (2021)
Cleveland Browns (2023, 2025-present)
Indianapolis Colts (2024)
28749358.2%
19 Terry Bradshaw ^ Pittsburgh Steelers (1970 1983)26145657.2%
20 Warren Moon ^ Houston Oilers (1984 1993)
Minnesota Vikings (1994 1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997 1998)
Kansas City Chiefs (1999 2000)
25940364.3%

Historical passing completions leaders

Nine players are recognised as having held the record as the NFL's career pass completions leader. [2] The longest record holder was Fran Tarkenton who held the record for 20 years.

"Slinging Sammy" Baugh, the Texas Christian U. star was rated as one of the greatest of his generation. Sammy Baugh Sept 11 1937.tif
"Slinging Sammy" Baugh, the Texas Christian U. star was rated 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 Tittle 1962 Topps.jpg
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 and a Super Bowl in the 1970s. JohnnyUnitasSignAutograph1964.jpg
Johnny Unitas won an NFL title in the 1950s and a Super Bowl in the 1970s.
Fran Tarkenton about to throw a forward pass (1965) Fran Tarkenton.png
Fran Tarkenton about to throw a forward pass (1965)
Brett Favre had held the record from 2006 to 2018, when it was broken by Drew Brees. He had also held the record for career pass attempts from 2008 to 2020. Brett Favre.jpg
Brett Favre had held the record from 2006 to 2018, when it was broken by Drew Brees. He had also held the record for career pass attempts from 2008 to 2020.
ReignPlayerTeam(s) while leaderCareer completionsSeason
19321940
(9 years)
Arnie Herber ^
[3]
Green Bay Packers 371932
871933
1291934
1691935
2461936
2931937
3151938
3721939
4101940
1941 1959
(19 years)
Sammy Baugh ^
[4]
Washington Redskins 4141941
5461942
6701943
7611944
8891945
9761946
1,1861947
1,3711948
1,5161949
1,6061950
1,6731951
1,6931952–1959
1960 1968
(9 years)
Y. A. Tittle ^
[5]
San Francisco 49ers (1960)
New York Giants (1961 1964)
1,6961960
1,8591961
2,0591962
2,2801963
2,4271964–1968
1969 1974
(6 years)
Johnny Unitas ^
[6]
Baltimore Colts (1969 1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973)
2,4501969
2,6161970
2,7081971
2,7961972
2,8301973–1974
1975 1994
(20 years)
Fran Tarkenton ^
[7]
Minnesota Vikings 2,9311975
3,1861976
3,3411977
3,6861978–1994
1995 2005
(11 years)
Dan Marino ^
[8]
Miami Dolphins 3,9131995
4,1341996
4,4531997
4,7631998
4,9671999–2005
2006 2017
(12 years)
Brett Favre ^
[9]
Green Bay Packers (2006 2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009 2010)
5,0212006
5,3772007
5,7202008
6,0832009
6,3002010–2017
2018 2020
(3 years)
Drew Brees
[10]
New Orleans Saints 6,5862018
6,8672019
7,1422020
Since 2021
(5 years)
Tom Brady
[11]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7,2632021
7,7532022–2025

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.

See also

References

  1. "NFL Passes Completed Career Playoffs Leaders". ProFootballReference.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  2. "NFL Passes Completed Career Leaders". PFR. Archived from the original on November 3, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  3. "Arnie Herber stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  4. "Sammy Baugh stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  5. "Y.A. Tittle". NFL.com. National Football League. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  6. "Johnny Unitas stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  7. "Fran Tarkenton stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  8. "Dan Marino stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  9. "Brett Favre stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. "Drew Brees stats". PFRef.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  11. "Tom Brady stats". PFRef.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2021.