List of National Football League career passing touchdowns leaders

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Brady on the field
Tom Brady has the most career touchdown passes with 649.

This is a list of the top 50 National Football League (NFL) players by most career regular season passing touchdowns.

Tom Brady holds the record for the most passing touchdowns with 649. He also has the most playoff touchdown passes with 88.

Regular season career passing touchdowns leaders[change | change source]

Drew Brees has the second most career passing touchdowns with 571.
Peyton Manning has the third most career passing touchdowns.
Brett Favre held the career passing touchdowns record from 2007–2013. He has a total of 508.
Aaron Rodgers has the most career passing touchdowns for players in the NFL currently.
Dan Marino's 420 career passing touchdowns is the most of any player who did not play in the 21st century.
Russell Wilson has the most career passing touchdowns of a player whose career started in the 2010s.
George Blanda is the oldest quarterback in the top 50 in career passing touchdowns.
Eli Manning's 366 career passing touchdowns places him 10th on the list. This makes him and his brother Peyton Manning the only set of brothers in the top 50.
Derek Carr is the most recent quarterback to enter the top 50.
Legend
^ Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who is still active

Through 2022 season.

Rank Player Team(s) by season TDs
1 Tom Brady New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022) 		649
2 Drew Brees San Diego Chargers (2001–2005)
New Orleans Saints (2006–2020) 		571
3 Peyton Manning^ Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011)
Denver Broncos (2012–2015) 		539
4 Brett Favre^ Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010) 		508
5 Aaron Rodgers* Green Bay Packers (2005–present) 475
6 Philip Rivers San Diego/L.A. Chargers (2004–2019)
Indianapolis Colts (2020) 		421
7 Dan Marino^ Miami Dolphins (1983–1999) 420
8 Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2021) 418
9 Matt Ryan* Atlanta Falcons (2008–2021)
Indianapolis Colts (2022–present) 		381
10 Eli Manning New York Giants (2004–2019) 366
11 Fran Tarkenton^ Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966, 1972–1978)
New York Giants (1967–1971) 		342
12 Matthew Stafford* Detroit Lions (2009–2020)
Los Angeles Rams (2021–present) 		333
13 Russell Wilson* Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021)
Denver Broncos (2022–present) 		308
14 John Elway^ Denver Broncos (1983–1998) 300
15 Carson Palmer Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2010)
Oakland Raiders (2011–2012)
Arizona Cardinals (2013–2017) 		294
16 Warren Moon^[a] Houston Oilers (1984–1993)
Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998)
Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000) 		291
17 Johnny Unitas^ Baltimore Colts (1956–1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973) 		290
18 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) 		275
19 Joe Montana^ San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992)
Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994) 		273
20 Dave Krieg Seattle Seahawks (1980–1991)
Kansas City Chiefs (1992–1993)
Detroit Lions (1994)
Arizona Cardinals (1995)
Chicago Bears (1996)
Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998) 		261
21 Sonny Jurgensen^ Philadelphia Eagles (1957–1963)
Washington Redskins (1964–1974) 		255
22 Dan Fouts^ San Diego Chargers (1973–1987) 254
23 Kirk Cousins* Washington Redskins (2012–2017)
Minnesota Vikings (2018–present) 		252
24 Drew Bledsoe New England Patriots (1993–2001)
Buffalo Bills (2002–2004)
Dallas Cowboys (2005–2006) 		251
25 Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys (2003–2016) 248
26 Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals (1984–1992, 1997)
New York Jets (1993–1995)
Arizona Cardinals (1996) 		247
27 Andy Dalton* Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019)
Dallas Cowboys (2020)
Chicago Bears (2021)
New Orleans Saints (2022–present) 		244
John Hadl San Diego Chargers (1962–1972)
Los Angeles Rams (1973–1974)[b]
Green Bay Packers (1974–1975)
Houston Oilers (1976–1977)
29 Len Dawson^ Pittsburgh Steelers (1957–1959)
Cleveland Browns (1960–1961)
Dallas Texans (1962)
Kansas City Chiefs (1963–1975) 		239
30 Jim Kelly^[c] Buffalo Bills (1986–1996) 237
31 George Blanda^ Chicago Bears (1949, 1950–1958)[d]
Baltimore Colts (1950)
Houston Oilers (1960–1966)
Oakland Raiders (1967–1975) 		236
32 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011) 		234
33 Joe Flacco* Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018)
Denver Broncos (2019)
New York Jets (2020, 2021–present)
Philadelphia Eagles (2021) 		232
Steve Young^[e] Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)
35 Jay Cutler Denver Broncos (2006–2008)
Chicago Bears (2009–2016)
Miami Dolphins (2017) 		227
36 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) 		223
37 Derek Carr* Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014–present) 217
38 John Brodie San Francisco 49ers (1957–1973) 214
39 Terry Bradshaw^ Pittsburgh Steelers (1970–1983) 212
Matt Hasselbeck Green Bay Packers (1998–2000)
Seattle Seahawks (2001–2010)
Tennessee Titans (2011–2012)
Indianapolis Colts (2013–2015)
Ryan Tannehill* Miami Dolphins (2012–2018)
Tennessee Titans (2019–present)
Y. A. Tittle^[f] Baltimore Colts (1950)
San Francisco 49ers (1951–1960)
New York Giants (1961–1964)
43 Jim Hart St. Louis Cardinals (1966–1983)
Washington Redskins (1984) 		209
44 Kerry Collins Carolina Panthers (1995–1998)
New Orleans Saints (1998)
New York Giants (1999–2003)
Oakland Raiders (2004–2005)
Tennessee Titans (2006–2010)
Indianapolis Colts (2011) 		208
Kurt Warner^ St. Louis Rams (1998–2003)
New York Giants (2004)
Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)
46 Randall Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles (1985–1995)
Minnesota Vikings (1997–1999)
Dallas Cowboys (2000)
Baltimore Ravens (2001) 		207
47 Jim Everett Los Angeles Rams (1986–1993)
New Orleans Saints (1994–1996)
San Diego Chargers (1997) 		203
48 Roman Gabriel Los Angeles Rams (1962–1972)
Philadelphia Eagles (1973–1977) 		201
49 Phil Simms New York Giants (1979–1993) 199
Alex Smith San Francisco 49ers (2005–2012)
Kansas City Chiefs (2013–2017)
Washington Redskins/Football Team (2018–2020)

Historical passing touchdowns leaders[change | change source]

Sixteen players are recognized as having held outright or tied the record as the NFL's career passing touchdowns leader.[4] The longest record holder was Fran Tarkenton who held the record for 20 years from 1975 to 1994.

Elmer Oliphant, the first record holder
Benny Friedman held the record for 14 years, including all of the 1930s
Fran Tarkenton was the leader for 20 years, including all of the 1980s
Reign Player Team(s) while leader Career passing touchdowns Season(s)
1921–1922
(2 years)		 Elmer Oliphant[5] Buffalo All-Americans 7 1921–1922
1923 Lou Smyth[6] Canton Bulldogs 8 1923
1924–1928
(5 years)		 Curly Lambeau^
[7]		 Green Bay Packers 14 1924
19 1925
22 1926
23 1927
24 1928
Tied 1928 Red Dunn[8]
1929–1942
(14 years)		 Benny Friedman^
[9]		 New York Giants 1929–1931
Brooklyn Dodgers 1932–1934		 40 1929
53 1930
56 1931
61 1932
66 1933–1942
Tied 1940–1942
(3 years)		 Arnie Herber^
[10]		 Green Bay Packers 1940–1942
1943–1961
(19 years)		 Sammy Baugh^
[11]		 Washington Redskins 80 1943
84 1944
95 1945
103 1946
128 1947
150 1948
168 1949
178 1950
185 1951
187 1952–1961
Tied 1961–1962
(2 years)		 Bobby Layne^
[12]		 Pittsburgh Steelers 1961
196 1962
1962–1966
(5 years)		 Y. A. Tittle^
[13]		 New York Giants 1962
232 1963
242 1964–1966
1967–1974
(8 years)		 Johnny Unitas^
[14]		 Baltimore Colts (1967–1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973)		 252 1967
254 1968
266 1969
280 1970
283 1971
287 1972
290 1973–1974
1975–1994
(20 years)		 Fran Tarkenton^
[15]		 Minnesota Vikings 291 1975
308 1976
317 1977
342 1978–1994
1995–2006
(12 years)		 Dan Marino^
[16]		 Miami Dolphins 352 1995
369 1996
385 1997
408 1998
420 1999–2006
2007–2013
(7 years)		 Brett Favre^
[17]		 Green Bay Packers (2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)		 442 2007
464 2008
497 2009
508 2010–2013
2014–2018
(5 years)		 Peyton Manning ^
[18]		 Denver Broncos 530 2014
539 2015–2018
2019 Drew Brees
[19]		 New Orleans Saints 547 2019
Since 2020
(4 years) 		Tom Brady
[20]		 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 581 2020
624 2021
649 2022–2024

Related pages[change | change source]

Notes[change | change source]

  1. ↑ Warren Moon spent six seasons in the Canadian Football League. He had 144 TD passes before entering the NFL. They are not counted.
  2. ↑ Hadl was traded during the 1974 season; he played six games for the Rams and eight for the Packers.
  3. ↑ Jim Kelly spent two seasons in the USFL. He had 83 TD passes prior to entering the NFL. They are not counted.
  4. ↑ Blanda was traded during the 1950 season; he played one game for the Colts and eleven games for the Bears.
  5. ↑ Steve Young spent two seasons in the USFL. He had 16 TD passes prior to entering the NFL. They are not counted.
  6. ↑ Tittle's threw 30 touchdown passes in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). They are not counted.[1][2][3]

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ Pavlick, Ed (1980). "Pro Football Records Should Include the AAFC" (PDF). The Coffin Corner. 2 (7). Professional Football Researchers Association. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  2. ↑ Roberts, Jerry (2015). Pass Receiving in Early Pro Football: A History to the 1960s (illustrated ed.). McFarland. p. 137. ISBN 978-0786499465. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Y.A. Tittle". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  4. ↑ "NFL Passing Touchdowns Career Leaders". Pro football reference.com. 2018-10-13. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  5. ↑ "NFL Career Passing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1922". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  6. ↑ "NFL Career Passing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1923". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Curly Lambeau stats". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Red Dunn stats". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Benny Friedman stats". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Arnie Herber stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Sammy Baugh stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Bobby Layne stats". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Tittle stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Johnny Unitas stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Fran Tarkenton stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Dan Marino stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Brett Favre stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  18. ↑ "Peyton Manning stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  19. ↑ "Drew Brees stats". PFRef.com. Retrieved 2019-12-16.[permanent dead link]
  20. ↑ "Tom Brady stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
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