This article ranks the top NFL quarterbacks of all-time measured by career passing yards. Each quarterback’s career passing yards, games played, completions, yards per game, and yards per completion are included with these rankings.
Most NFL statistical services, including NFL.com, only count regular season statistics when ranking quarterbacks by career passing yards. In this article, each player’s entire body of work is included; that is to say, all statistics include regular and post-season passing yards. Preseason and Pro Bowl statistics are excluded.
After reading “Top NFL Quarterbacks of All-Time: Career Passing Yards,” return to these links to read “Top NFL Quarterbacks of All-Time: Career Touchdown Passes,” and “Top NFL Running Backs of All Time: Career Rushing Yards.”
1. Top NFL Quarterbacks of All Time: Career Passing Yards – Brett Favre
Yards: 77,613
Games: 327
Completions: 6,785
Yards per game: 237.4
Yards per completion: 11.4
2. Top NFL Quarterbacks of All Time: Career Passing Yards – Dan Marino
Yards: 65,327
Games: 258
Completions: 5,310
Yards per game: 253.2
Yards per completion: 12.3
3. Top NFL Quarterbacks of All Time: Career Passing Yards – Peyton Manning
Yards: 60,217
Games: 227
Completions: 5,135
Yards per game: 265.3
Yards per completion: 11.7
4. Top NFL Quarterbacks of All Time: Career Passing Yards – John Elway
Yards: 56,439
Games: 256
Completions: 4,478
Yards per game: 220.5
Yards per completion: 12.6
5. Top NFL Quarterbacks of All Time: Career Passing Yards – Warren Moon
Yards: 52,195
Games: 217
Completions: 4,247
Yards per game: 240.5
Yards per completion: 12.3
6. Top NFL Quarterbacks of All Time: Career Passing Yards – Fran Tarkenton
Yards: 48,806
Games: 257
Completions: 3,835
Yards per game: 189.9
Yards per completion: 12.7
7. Top NFL Quarterbacks of All Time: Career Passing Yards – Vinny Testaverde
Yards: 47,553
Games: 240
Completions: 3,901
Yards per game: 198.1
Yards per completion: 12.2
8. Top NFL Quarterbacks of All Time: Career Passing Yards – Drew Bledsoe
Yards: 45,946
Games: 201
Completions: 3,968
Yards per game: 228.6
Yards per completion: 11.6
9. Top NFL Quarterbacks of All Time: Career Passing Yards – Dan Fouts
Yards: 45,165
Games: 188
Completions: 3,456
Yards per game: 240.2
Yards per completion: 13.1
10. Top NFL Quarterbacks of All Time: Career Passing Yards – Kerry Collins
Yards: 42,478
Games: 204
Completions: 3,628
Yards per game: 208.2
Yards per completion: 11.7
Next 10: 11. Joe Montana; 12. Johnny Unitas; 13. Dave Krieg; 14. Drew Brees; 15. Boomer Esiason; 16. Donovan McNabb; 17. Tom Brady; 18. Jim Kelly; 19. Jim Everett; 20. Jim Hart.
Source(s):
“NFL Career Passing Yards Leaders,” Pro-Football-Reference.com
“Players,” NFL.com