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 Week 13 Friday game of 2024 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 Philip Rivers San Diego/L.A. Chargers (2004 – 2019)
Indianapolis Colts (2020)		5,2778,13464.9%
8 Aaron Rodgers * Green Bay Packers (2005 – 2022)
New York Jets (2023–present)		5,2428,04165.2%
9 Matthew Stafford * Detroit Lions (2009 – 2020)
Los Angeles Rams (2021-present)		5,0908,03463.4%
10 Dan Marino ^ Miami Dolphins (1983 – 1998)4,9678,35859.4%
11 Eli Manning New York Giants (2004 – 2019)4,8958,11960.3%
12 John Elway ^ Denver Broncos (1983 – 1998)4,1237,25056.9%
13 Joe Flacco * Baltimore Ravens (2008 – 2018)
Denver Broncos (2019)
New York Jets (2020, 2021 – 2022)
Philadelphia Eagles (2021)
Cleveland Browns (2023)
Indianapolis Colts (2024–present)		4,1176,67361.7%
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 Drew Bledsoe New England Patriots (1993 – 2001)
Buffalo Bills (2002 – 2004)
Dallas Cowboys (2005 – 2006)		3,8396,71757.2%
17 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%
18 Russell Wilson * Seattle Seahawks (2012 – 2021)
Denver Broncos (2022 – 2023)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–present)		3,7625,81464.7%
19 Derek Carr * Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014 – 2022)
New Orleans Saints (2023-present)		3,7215,71765.1%
20 Kirk Cousins * Washington Redskins (2012 – 2017)
Minnesota Vikings (2018 – 2023)
Atlanta Falcons (2024-present)		3,7105,53767%
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 Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals (1984 – 1992, 1997)
New York Jets (1993 – 1995)
Arizona Cardinals (1996)		2,9695,20557%
34 Jared Goff * Los Angeles Rams (2016 – 2020)
Detroit Lions (2021-present)		2,9014,44765.2%
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 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%
43 Steve McNair Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1995 – 2005)
Baltimore Ravens (2006 – 2007)		2,7334,54460.1%
44 Cam Newton Carolina Panthers (2011 – 2019, 2021)
New England Patriots (2020)		2,6824,47459.9%
45 Patrick Mahomes * Kansas City Chiefs (2017-present)2,6784,01766.7%
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 2023 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 Aaron Rodgers * Green Bay Packers (2005 – 2022)
New York Jets (2023–present)		50177464.7%
4 Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers (2004 – 2021)49878863.2%
5 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%
7 Joe Montana ^ San Francisco 49ers (1979 – 1992)
Kansas City Chiefs (1993 – 1994)		46073462.7%
8 Patrick Mahomes * Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present)45667267.9%
9 Dan Marino ^ Miami Dolphins (1983 – 1999)38568756.0%
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 Steve Young ^ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985 – 1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987 – 1999)		29247162.0%
16 Joe Flacco * Baltimore Ravens (2008 – 2018)
Denver Broncos (2019)
New York Jets (2020, 2021 – 2022)
Philadelphia Eagles (2021)
Cleveland Browns (2023)
Indianapolis Colts (2024–present)		28749358.2%
17 Russell Wilson * Seattle Seahawks (2012 – 2021)
Denver Broncos (2022 – 2023)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–present)		27545161.0%
18 Terry Bradshaw ^ Pittsburgh Steelers (1970 – 1983)26145657.2%
19 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
1932–1940
(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
(4 years)		 Tom Brady
[11] 		Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7,2632021
7,7532022–2024

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

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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.
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