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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

List Of NFL Annual Passing Yards Leaders
In American football, passing, along with running (also referred to as rushing), is one of the two main methods of advancing the ball down the field. Passes are typically attempted by the quarterback, but any offensive player can attempt a pass provided they are behind the line of scrimmage. To qualify as a passing play, the ball must have initially moved forward after leaving the hands of the passer; if the ball initially moved laterally or backwards, the play would instead be considered a running play. A player who catches a forward pass is a receiver. Passing yards are measured in flat yards along one direction of the field, always starting from the line of scrimmage and ending at the point that the receiver is ruled down. If the receiver reaches the end zone and scores a touchdown, then the yardage measurement ends at the opposing team's goal line (the zero-yard line). Passing yards do not include incomplete throws.

The National Football League (NFL) did not begin keeping official records until the 1932 season. In addition to the overall NFL passing yards leaders, league record books recognize the passing yards leaders of the American Football League (AFL), which operated from 1960 to 1969 before being absorbed into the NFL in 1970.

The record for passing yards in a season is held by Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos who passed for 5,477 yards in 2013. Drew Brees has led the NFL in passing yards in seven seasons, more than any other quarterback in NFL history. Brees has also passed for over 5,000 yards in a season five times, whereas no other player has done so more than twice. Patrick Mahomes led the league in passing yards in 2022 and became the first player in the Super Bowl era to do so and win a league championship in the same season.

NFL annual passing yards leaders

Johnny Unitas in his Baltimore Colts uniform and helmet
Johnny Unitas, who led the league in passing four times, passed for 3,099 yards in 1960. This marked the first time that a player passed for over 3,000 in a season.
Joe Namath without a helmet holding a football
Joe Namath was the first player to pass for over 4,000 yards in a season, doing so in the 1967 AFL season.
Head shot of Dan Fouts from the shoulders up
Dan Fouts led the league in four consecutive seasons (1979–1982).
Dan Marino head shot with microphone and ear piece
In 1984, Dan Marino passed for 5,084 yards, setting the single-season passing yards record. He was the first player to pass for over 5,000 yards in a season and led the league in passing five times.
Drew Brees holding a football
Drew Brees led the league in passing yards in 2006, the first of his record seven times.
Key
Symbol Meaning
Leader The player who recorded the most passing yards in the NFL
Yds The total number of passing yards the player had
GP The number of games played by a player during the season
† Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
^ Active player
* Set the single-season passing yards record
(#) Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list
NFL annual passing yards leaders by season
Season Leader Yds GP Team Refs
1932 Arnie Herber† 639* 14 Green Bay Packers
1933 Harry Newman 973* 14 New York Giants
1934 Arnie Herber† (2) 799 11 Green Bay Packers
1935 Ed Danowski 794 12 New York Giants
1936 Arnie Herber† (3) 1,239* 12 Green Bay Packers
1937 Sammy Baugh† 1,127 11 Washington Redskins
1938 Ace Parker† 865 11 Brooklyn Dodgers
1939 Davey O'Brien 1,324* 11 Philadelphia Eagles
1940 Sammy Baugh† (2) 1,367* 11 Washington Redskins
1941 Cecil Isbell 1,479* 11 Green Bay Packers
1942 Cecil Isbell (2) 2,021* 11 Green Bay Packers
1943 Sid Luckman† 2,194* 10 Chicago Bears
1944 Irv Comp 1,159 10 Green Bay Packers
1945 Sid Luckman† (2) 1,727 10 Chicago Bears
1946 Sid Luckman† (3) 1,826 11 Chicago Bears
1947 Sammy Baugh† (3) 2,938* 12 Washington Redskins
1948 Sammy Baugh† (4) 2,599 12 Washington Redskins
1949 Johnny Lujack 2,658 12 Chicago Bears
1950 Bobby Layne† 2,323 12 Detroit Lions
1951 Bobby Layne† (2) 2,403 12 Detroit Lions
1952 Otto Graham† 2,816 12 Cleveland Browns
1953 Otto Graham† (2) 2,722 12 Cleveland Browns
1954 Norm Van Brocklin† 2,637 12 Los Angeles Rams
1955 Jim Finks† 2,270 12 Pittsburgh Steelers
1956 Tobin Rote 2,203 12 Green Bay Packers
1957 Johnny Unitas† 2,550 12 Baltimore Colts
1958 Bill Wade 2,875 12 Los Angeles Rams
1959 Johnny Unitas† (2) 2,899 12 Baltimore Colts
1960 Johnny Unitas† (3) 3,099* 12 Baltimore Colts
1961 Sonny Jurgensen† 3,723* 14 Philadelphia Eagles
1962 Sonny Jurgensen† (2) 3,261 14 Philadelphia Eagles
1963 Johnny Unitas† (4) 3,481 14 Baltimore Colts
1964 Charley Johnson 3,045 14 St. Louis Cardinals
1965 John Brodie 3,112 13 San Francisco 49ers
1966 Sonny Jurgensen† (3) 3,209 14 Washington Redskins
1967 Sonny Jurgensen† (4) 3,747* 14 Washington Redskins
1968 John Brodie (2) 3,020 14 San Francisco 49ers
1969 Sonny Jurgensen† (5) 3,102 14 Washington Redskins
1970 John Brodie (3) 2,941 14 San Francisco 49ers
1971 John Hadl 3,075 14 San Diego Chargers
1972 Joe Namath† 2,816 13 New York Jets
1973 Roman Gabriel 3,219 14 Philadelphia Eagles
1974 Ken Anderson 2,667 13 Cincinnati Bengals
1975 Ken Anderson (2) 3,169 13 Cincinnati Bengals
1976 Bert Jones 3,104 14 Baltimore Colts
1977 Joe Ferguson 2,803 14 Buffalo Bills
1978 Fran Tarkenton† 3,468 16 Minnesota Vikings
1979 Dan Fouts† 4,082* 16 San Diego Chargers
1980 Dan Fouts† (2) 4,715* 16 San Diego Chargers
1981 Dan Fouts† (3) 4,802* 16 San Diego Chargers
1982 Dan Fouts† (4) 2,883 9 San Diego Chargers
1983 Lynn Dickey 4,458 16 Green Bay Packers
1984 Dan Marino† 5,084* 16 Miami Dolphins
1985 Dan Marino† (2) 4,137 16 Miami Dolphins
1986 Dan Marino† (3) 4,746 16 Miami Dolphins
1987 Neil Lomax 3,387 12 St. Louis Cardinals
1988 Dan Marino† (4) 4,434 16 Miami Dolphins
1989 Don Majkowski 4,318 16 Green Bay Packers
1990 Warren Moon† 4,689 15 Houston Oilers
1991 Warren Moon† (2) 4,690 16 Houston Oilers
1992 Dan Marino† (5) 4,116 16 Miami Dolphins
1993 John Elway† 4,030 16 Denver Broncos
1994 Drew Bledsoe 4,555 16 New England Patriots
1995 Brett Favre† 4,413 16 Green Bay Packers
1996 Mark Brunell 4,367 16 Jacksonville Jaguars
1997 Jeff George 3,917 16 Oakland Raiders
1998 Brett Favre† (2) 4,212 16 Green Bay Packers
1999 Steve Beuerlein 4,436 16 Carolina Panthers
2000 Peyton Manning† 4,413 16 Indianapolis Colts
2001 Kurt Warner† 4,830 16 St. Louis Rams
2002 Rich Gannon 4,689 16 Oakland Raiders
2003 Peyton Manning† (2) 4,267 16 Indianapolis Colts
2004 Daunte Culpepper 4,717 16 Minnesota Vikings
2005 Tom Brady 4,110 16 New England Patriots
2006 Drew Brees 4,418 16 New Orleans Saints
2007 Tom Brady (2) 4,806 16 New England Patriots
2008 Drew Brees (2) 5,069 16 New Orleans Saints
2009 Matt Schaub 4,770 16 Houston Texans
2010 Philip Rivers 4,710 16 San Diego Chargers
2011 Drew Brees (3) 5,476* 16 New Orleans Saints
2012 Drew Brees (4) 5,177 16 New Orleans Saints
2013 Peyton Manning† (3) 5,477* 16 Denver Broncos
2014 Drew Brees (5) 4,952 16 New Orleans Saints
Ben Roethlisberger 16 Pittsburgh Steelers
2015 Drew Brees (6) 4,870 15 New Orleans Saints
2016 Drew Brees (7) 5,208 16 New Orleans Saints
2017 Tom Brady (3) 4,577 16 New England Patriots
2018 Ben Roethlisberger (2) 5,129 16 Pittsburgh Steelers
2019 Jameis Winston^ 5,109 16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2020 Deshaun Watson^ 4,823 16 Houston Texans
2021 Tom Brady (4) 5,316 17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2022 Patrick Mahomes^ 5,250 17 Kansas City Chiefs
2023 Tua Tagovailoa^ 4,624 17 Miami Dolphins

AFL annual passing yards leaders

Key
Symbol Meaning
Leader The player who recorded the most passing yards in the AFL
Yds The total number of passing yards the player had
GP The number of games played by a player during the season
† Pro Football Hall of Fame member
* Player set the single-season passing yards record
(#) Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list
AFL annual passing yards leaders by season
Season Leader Yds GP Team Refs
1960 Frank Tripucka 3,038* 14 Denver Broncos
1961 George Blanda† 3,330* 14 Houston Oilers
1962 Frank Tripucka (2) 2,917 14 Denver Broncos
1963 George Blanda† (2) 3,003 14 Houston Oilers
1964 Babe Parilli 3,465* 14 Boston Patriots
1965 John Hadl 2,798 14 San Diego Chargers
1966 Joe Namath† 3,379 14 New York Jets
1967 Joe Namath† (2) 4,007* 14 New York Jets
1968 John Hadl (2) 3,473 14 San Diego Chargers
1969 Daryle Lamonica 3,302 14 Oakland Raiders

Most seasons leading the league

Count Player Seasons Team(s) Refs
7 Drew Brees 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014–2016 New Orleans Saints
5 Sonny Jurgensen 1961, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1969 Philadelphia Eagles (2), Washington Redskins (3)
Dan Marino 1984–1986, 1988, 1992 Miami Dolphins
4 Sammy Baugh 1937, 1940, 1947, 1948 Washington Redskins
Tom Brady 2005, 2007, 2017, 2021 New England Patriots (3), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1)
Dan Fouts 1979–1982 San Diego Chargers
Johnny Unitas 1957, 1959, 1960, 1963 Baltimore Colts
3 John Brodie 1965, 1968, 1970 San Francisco 49ers
John Hadl 1965, 1968, 1971 San Diego Chargers
Arnie Herber 1932, 1934, 1936 Green Bay Packers
Peyton Manning 2000, 2003, 2013 Indianapolis Colts (2), Denver Broncos (1)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The NFL did not have a set number of games for teams to play until the 1935 season, instead setting a minimum.

References

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  17. ^ "Arnie Herber Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  18. ^ "Harry Newman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  19. ^ "Ed Danowski Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  20. ^ "Sammy Baugh Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  21. ^ "Ace Parker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  22. ^ "Davey O'Brien Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  23. ^ "Cecil Isbell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  24. ^ "Sid Luckman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  25. ^ "Irv Comp Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  26. ^ "Johnny Lujack Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  27. ^ "Bobby Layne Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  28. ^ "Otto Graham Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  29. ^ "Norm Van Brocklin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  30. ^ "Jim Finks Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  31. ^ "Tobin Rote Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  32. ^ "Johnny Unitas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  33. ^ "Billy Wade Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  34. ^ "Sonny Jurgensen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  35. ^ "Charley Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  36. ^ "John Brodie Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  37. ^ "John Hadl Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  38. ^ "Joe Namath Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  39. ^ "Roman Gabriel Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  40. ^ "Ken Anderson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  41. ^ "Bert Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  42. ^ "Joe Ferguson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 13, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  43. ^ "Fran Tarkenton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  44. ^ "Dan Fouts Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 18, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  45. ^ "Lynn Dickey Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  46. ^ "Dan Marino Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  47. ^ "Neil Lomax Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  48. ^ "Don Majkowski Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  49. ^ "Warren Moon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  50. ^ "John Elway Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  51. ^ "Drew Bledsoe Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 8, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  52. ^ "Brett Favre Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  53. ^ "Mark Brunell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  54. ^ "Jeff George Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  55. ^ "Steve Beuerlein Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  56. ^ "Peyton Manning Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  57. ^ "Kurt Warner Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  58. ^ "Rich Gannon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  59. ^ "Daunte Culpepper Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  60. ^ "Tom Brady Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  61. ^ "Drew Brees Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  62. ^ "Matt Schaub Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  63. ^ "Philip Rivers Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  64. ^ "Ben Roethlisberger Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  65. ^ "Jameis Winston Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  66. ^ "Deshaun Watson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  67. ^ "Patrick Mahomes Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  68. ^ "Tua Tagovailoa Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  69. ^ "Frank Tripucka Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  70. ^ "George Blanda Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  71. ^ "Babe Parilli Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  72. ^ "Daryle Lamonica Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
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