In a sport where the quarterback is usually the face of the team, a few players have set themselves apart with their ability to consistently move the ball and rack up huge passing yards throughout their careers. These quarterbacks have greatly impacted the NFL with their skill, leadership, and determination. Some are known for big plays, while others have quietly built legendary careers with their consistency.
With that said, here are the top seven quarterbacks who have garnered the most passing yards in NFL history.
7. Matt Ryan – 62,792 Passing Yards
Matt Ryan’s 15-season career saw him amass 62,792 passing yards, establishing him as one of the most effective yet low-key quarterbacks. His regular-season achievements are marked by a 65.6% completion rate, 381 touchdowns, and a 93.6 passer rating across 234 games. Moreover, his impressive performances earned him four Pro Bowl selections and made him a crucial part of the Falcons’ offense.
In playoff games, Ryan was equally sharp, with 2,672 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and a 67.5% completion rate across 10 games. His awards include an MVP award, Offensive Player of the Year, and Offensive Rookie of the Year, showing his impressive impact both inside and outside the field. Ryan’s combination of consistency and leadership makes him a significant contributor to the current NFL quarterback standards.
6. Philip Rivers – 63,440 Passing Yards
Philip Rivers was a paragon of determination and reliability throughout his 17-season career, mostly with the Chargers, tallying up 63,440 passing yards. Rivers’s regular-season stats feature a 64.9% completion rate, 421 touchdowns, and a 95.2 passer rating across 244 games, along with a standout 7.8 yards-per-pass figure. His consistency got him into 8 Pro Bowls, underscoring his offensive prowess through the years.In the playoffs, Rivers threw for 2,965 passing yards and 16 touchdowns over 12 games, proving his ability to deliver when it mattered most. Additionally, his perseverance and dedication earned him the Comeback Player of the Year award. Even without a Super Bowl win, Rivers’s impressive performance solidifies his legacy as one of the NFL’s most consistent and reliable quarterbacks.
5. Ben Roethlisberger – 64,088 Passing Yards
Ben Roethlisberger was a star for the Pittsburgh Steelers, totaling up 64,088 passing yards in his 18-year career, showcasing his massive role in the franchise. His regular-season stats were commendable, with a 64.4% completion rate, 418 touchdowns, and a 93.5 passer rating over 249 games. Known for his physical play and ability to extend plays, he also logged 1,373 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns.
In playoffs, Roethlisberger was a standout, putting up 5,972 passing yards and 36 touchdowns over 23 games, leading the Steelers to two Super Bowl wins. His achievements include six Pro Bowls and an Offensive Rookie of the Year award, highlighting his impact since day one.
4. Brett Favre – 71,838 Passing Yards
Brett Favre’s legendary career showcased his hard-nosed mentality and resolve. He amassed 71,838 passing yards over 20 seasons. His regular-season performance had a 62% completion rate, 508 touchdowns, and an 86.0 passer rating over 302 games, proving he could deliver when things got intense, even after being sacked 525 times. With a fearless “gunslinger” vibe, Favre holds the NFL record with 336 career interceptions, showcasing his daring approach.
In playoff games, Favre was exceptional, with 5,855 passing yards, 44 touchdowns, and a 60.8% completion rate in 24 games. His list of honors includes three MVP awards, an Offensive Player of the Year title, and a Hall of Fame induction in 2016. Favre also achieved 11 Pro Bowl appearances, leaving no doubt about his talent.
3. Peyton Manning – 71,940 Passing Yards
Peyton Manning spent 17 amazing seasons on the field, racking up 71,940 passing yards, showcasing his talent for offense and game smarts. His regular-season stats are impressive, with a 65.3% completion rate, 539 touchdowns, and a standout 96.5 passer rating across 266 games. Furthermore, Manning totally revolutionized the role of quarterbacks, with a killer 7.7 yards-per-pass average and leading the league in touchdowns three times.
In the playoffs, Manning added 7,339 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and a 63.2% completion rate over 27 games, grabbing two Super Bowl wins and being the MVP five times. Moreover, his collection of achievements, which includes 14 Pro Bowls, a Comeback Player of the Year award, and a spot in the Hall of Fame in 2021, seals his status as a legend in the NFL.
2. Drew Brees – 80,358 Passing Yards
Drew Brees had a stellar 20-year career in the NFL, putting up an impressive 80,358 passing yards during regular seasons. Renowned for his insane accuracy, Brees held a 67.7% completion rate and a 98.7 passer rating over 287 games, scoring 571 touchdowns and keeping interceptions to just 243. Moreover, his combination of precision and power saw him lead the league in passing yards seven times.
Brees’s playoff performance didn’t disappoint either, with 5,366 passing yards and 37 touchdowns over 18 games. This kind of consistency got him into 13 Pro Bowls and highlighted him as a champion and Super Bowl MVP. Plus, picking up the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award and two Offensive Player of the Year prizes shows he made a huge impact whenever he was on the field.
1. Tom Brady – 89,214 Passing Yards
Tom Brady’s story in the NFL is nothing short of epic. He clocked in a mind-blowing 89,214 passing yards in the regular season over his 23-year career. Known for thriving under pressure, Brady showed his A-game at 15 Pro Bowls, proving just how incredibly consistent he was. With 335 games under his belt, he had a 64.3% completion rate, a 97.2 passer rating, and a jaw-dropping 649 touchdowns. He even added 1,123 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns to his stats line despite getting sacked 565 times!
During the playoffs, Brady was just as legendary, racking up 13,400 passing yards and 88 touchdowns in 48 games, showing he was the guy you’d want in a clutch moment. With 7 NFL championships, 3 MVP awards, and 5 Super Bowl MVPs, he’s basically the standard for every other quarterback out there.
