List of gridiron football quarterbacks passing statistics

Last updated

A banner hangs in the Rogers Centre to commemorate Damon Allen's record-breaking pass in 2006. Damon Allen banner.jpg
A banner hangs in the Rogers Centre to commemorate Damon Allen's record-breaking pass in 2006.
Russell Wilson is the most recent player added. Russell Wilson 2020.jpg
Russell Wilson is the most recent player added.

This is a list of gridiron football quarterbacks passing statistics for quarterbacks that have played outdoor professional football in North America. Below is a listing of the combined professional football league leaders for passing yards, passing touchdowns, passing completions, and passing attempts. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Contents

Because indoor football is played on a much shorter field and heavily favors offensive scoring, its records are not included in the main list, but are noted in a separate addendum below; likewise, as is standard for statistical record-keeping, exhibition games, all-star games (such as the Pro Bowl) and preseason contests are not counted.

During the 2021 NFL season, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady passed Drew Brees to become the all-time passing yards leader in professional football league history. [10] Brees had surpassed Anthony Calvillo for the record in the previous season, while Calvillo had surpassed Damon Allen for the record in the 2011 CFL season. [11] Allen broke the previous record held by Warren Moon in 2006. [12] Moon had held the record since 1992 when he surpassed the record set by Ron Lancaster, who had surpassed Johnny Unitas during the 1975 CFL season. Unitas established the record set forth in this listing, while Aaron Rodgers is the leading active QB chasing Brady.

In the 2020 NFL season, Brady surpassed Brees for the all-time passing touchdowns record; Brees had surpassed Peyton Manning for the record the season before. [13] Manning had held the record since the 2014 NFL season when he surpassed Brett Favre's record. [14] Prior to that, Brett Favre held the record since the 2007 NFL season when he surpassed Warren Moon's record. [15] Moon had held the record since 1994 when he surpassed the record set by Fran Tarkenton. Tarkenton had surpassed Johnny Unitas during the 1975 NFL season. Ron Lancaster overtook Tarkenton's lead in the touchdown pass category during the 1977 CFL season. However, Tarkenton retook the lead during the 1978 NFL season. Unitas established the record set forth in this listing.

Brady has held the record for pass completions since passing Brees during the 2021 NFL season; Brees surpassed Brett Favre during the 2018 season. [16] Favre had held the previous record since the 2007 season when he surpassed Warren Moon's record. [15] Moon had held the record since 1992 when he surpassed the record set by Fran Tarkenton. Tarkenton had surpassed Johnny Unitas during the 1975 NFL season. Unitas established the record set forth in this listing.

Brady has held the record for pass attempts since the 2020 NFL season when he surpassed Brees, who had surpassed Favre earlier in the same season. Prior to being surpassed by both Brady and Brees during the 2020 NFL season, Favre had held the record since 2008, when he surpassed Warren Moon. [17] [15] Moon had held the record since 1993 when he surpassed the record set by Fran Tarkenton. Tarkenton had surpassed Johnny Unitas during the 1975 NFL season. Unitas established the record set forth in this listing.

Brady, Moon and Unitas are the only gridiron quarterbacks to have held the record in all four of the major passing categories (passing yards, passing touchdowns, pass completions, and pass attempts) at the same time. Brees held each of the four records at one point during his career, but never held all four of them at the same time.

Other categories from this listing that provides all-time leaders include Rodgers, who is pro football's all-time passer rating leader, Ricky Ray, who is the all-time pass completion percentage leader, and Ron Lancaster, who is pro football's all-time interceptions leader.

When considering regular season and post season combined, Brady is the all-time leader in gridiron passing yards with 102,614, which surpassed Calvillo's mark of 82,365 yards in 2019. Brady is also the leader in all the other three major categories when considering post season performances (737 touchdown passes; 8,953 pass completions; 13,971 pass attempts). [18] [19] [20]

All-time outdoor professional quarterback passing statistics

Updated through current season; minimum 40,000 passing yards.
Bold and highlight denotes an active player.
RankNameTenureLeaguesAttemptsCompletionsComp %TDsINTsYardage Passer rating References
1 Tom Brady 2000–2022NFL12,050 * 7,753 * 64.34649 * 21289,214 * 97.17 [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
2 Drew Brees 2001–202010,551 ~ 7,142 ~ 67.69571 ~ 24380,358 ~ 98.67
3 Anthony Calvillo 1994–2013CFL9,4375,89262.4445522479,816 ~ 95.53 [18] [21]
4 Damon Allen 1985–2007CFL9,1385,15856.4539427872,381 ~ 83.82 [22]
5 Peyton Manning 1998–2015NFL9,3806,12565.30539 ~ 25171,94096.46 [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
6 Brett Favre 1991–201010,169 ~ 6,300 ~ 61.95508 ~ 33671,83886.03
7 Warren Moon 1977–2000NFL/CFL9,205 ~ 5,357 ~ 58.20435 ~ 31070,553 ~ 84.24 [23] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
8 Ben Roethlisberger 2004–2021NFL8,4335,44064.5141821164,08893.49
9 Henry Burris 1997–2016CFL/NFL/NFLE7,5764,71162.1838223764,02392.89 [2] [24] [25]
10 Philip Rivers 2004–2020NFL8,1345,27764.8842120963,44095.18 [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
11 Matt Ryan 2008-20228,4645,55165.5838118362,79293.59
12 Dan Marino 1983–19998,3584,96759.4342025261,36186.38
13 Ricky Ray 2002–2018CFL7,3014,97668.16 * 32417760,73698.23 ~ [26]
14 Aaron Rodgers Since 2005NFL7,7125,03265.2547810659,398103.47 *
15 Doug Flutie 1985–2005CFL/NFL/USFL7,2764,28658.9136923758,17987.82 [27] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
16 Eli Manning 2004–2019NFL8,1194,89460.2936624457,02384.08 [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
17 Matthew Stafford Since 20097,7254,86863.0235818156,58090.95
18 Danny McManus 1988–2006CFL/NFL6,6893,64054.4225928153,25576.01 [28]
19 Kevin Glenn 2001–2018CFL6,4344,06863.2329420752,86790.84 [29]
20 John Elway 1983–1999NFL7,2504,12356.8730022651,47579.86
21 Ron Lancaster 1960–1978CFL6,2333,38454.29333 ~ 396 * 50,535 ~ 72.44 [30]
22 Fran Tarkenton 1961–1978NFL6,467 ~ 3,686 ~ 57.00342 ~ 26647,00380.35 [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
23 Carson Palmer 2003–20176,3073,94162.4929418746,24787.89
24 Vinny Testaverde 1987–20076,7013,78756.5127526746,23375.00
25 Jim Kelly 1984–1996NFL/USFL5,9333,60460.7432019545,30988.81 [31] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
26 Drew Bledsoe 1993–2006NFL6,7173,83957.1525720644,61177.06 [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
27 Joe Flacco Since 20086,5034,00461.5724515543,93684.22
28 Matt Dunigan 1983–1996CFL5,4763,05755.8330621143,85784.55 [32]
29 Russell Wilson Since 2012NFL5,6653,66864.7533410643,653100.01 [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
30 Jeff Garcia 1994–2011CFL/NFL/UFL5,9553,64561.2128114643,30088.90 [33] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
31 Dan Fouts 1973-1987NFL5,6043,29758.8325424243,04080.23 [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
32 Kerry Collins 1995–20116,2613,48755.6920819640,92273.76
33 Joe Montana 1979–19945,3913,40963.2427313940,55192.26
34 Tracy Ham 1987–1999CFL4,9452,67053.9928416440,53486.56 [34]
35 Johnny Unitas 1956–1973NFL5,186 ~ 2,830 ~ 54.57290 ~ 25340,23978.20 [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

^* = Leader in category for outdoor gridiron football. ^~ = Former leader in category for outdoor gridiron football.

North American outdoor gridiron football leagues

The following leagues are eligible for inclusion for statistical purposes:
The following former leagues include statistics for players who attained the minimum 40,000 passing yards:

Notes:

Addendum

For the purpose of this list, indoor American football statistics have been excluded. While overall passing yards are not substantially greater in a given indoor football game compared to a CFL or NFL contest, the number of touchdowns in that form of the sport is far higher, and a list including them would invariably favor indoor football quarterbacks in the number of touchdowns thrown. Quarterbacks who would qualify for this list in yardage statistics if indoor football statistics are included are listed here separately:

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Who is pro football's all-time passing leader? Try Anthony Calvillo". USA Today. October 11, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Quarterbacks Who Played in the NFL and CFL". Rutgers.edu. Retrieved September 2, 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "PFR Stats Attempts". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "PFR Stats Completions". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "PFR Stats Comp %". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "PFR Stats Touchdowns". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "PFR Stats Interceptions". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "PFR Stats Yardage". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "PFR Stats Rating". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  10. ↑ Drew Brees breaks Anthony Calvillo record
  11. ↑ Alouettes’ Calvillo breaks pro football's passing record
  12. ↑ "Argos' Allen is football's top passer". CBC Sports.ca. September 4, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  13. ↑ Saints’ Drew Brees breaks Peyton Manning’s career touchdown pass record
  14. ↑ Peyton Manning breaks TD record
  15. 1 2 3 If Warren Moon was to combine his CFL and NFL stats he would rank second in the NFL
  16. ↑ Drew Brees passes Brett Favre for most career completions
  17. ↑ CALVILLO WILL NOT RETURN TO ALOUETTES THIS SEASON
  18. 1 2 "Anthony Calvillo CFL Statistics thru 2012". TotalFootballStats.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  19. ↑ By the numbers: playoff performers
  20. ↑ Pass Yards Reg+Post
  21. ↑ "Anthony Calvillo CFL Statistics Summary". CFLStats.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Damon Allen CFL Statistics". TotalFootballStats.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Jim Kelly CFL/NFL Statistics". ProFootballHoF.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Henry Burris CFL/NFL/NFLE Statistics thru 2012". TotalFootballStats.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Henry Burris CFL Statistics". CFL.ca. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Ricky Ray Stats". CFL.ca. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Doug Flutie CFL/NFL/USFL Statistics". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Danny McManus CFL Stats". TotalFootballStatscom. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Kevin Glenn CFL stats". CFL.ca. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Ron Lancaster CFL Statistics". JustSportsStats.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Jim Kelly NFL/USFL Statistics". ProFootballHoF.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Matt Dunigan CFL Ststistics". TotalFootballStats.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Jeff García CFL/NFL/UFL Statistics". TotalFootballStats.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Tracy Ham CFL Statistics". TotalFootballStats.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  35. ↑ Highlights
  36. ↑ Kurt Warner – Profile
  37. 1 2 Kurt Warner jersey and football added to Hall's collection
  38. ↑ AFL Passing Records
  39. ↑ Claymores 1998 Statistics
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