List of National Football League career passing touchdowns leaders

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This is a list of National Football League (NFL) players by total career regular season passing touchdowns.

Tom Brady holds the record for most passing touchdowns with 618, most playoff touchdown passes with 83, and most combined regular season and playoff passing touchdowns with 701.

Regular season career passing touchdowns leaders (with 200 plus)[]

Tom Brady is the all-time passing touchdown leader.
Key
^ Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who is still active

Through Week 16 of 2021 season.

Rank Player Team(s) by season TDs
1 Tom Brady* New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–present) 		618
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) 445
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–present) 416
9 Eli Manning New York Giants (2004–2019) 366
Matt Ryan* Atlanta Falcons (2008–present)
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) 		318
13 John Elway^ Denver Broncos (1983–1998) 300
14 Carson Palmer Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2010)
Oakland Raiders (2011–2012)
Arizona Cardinals (2013–2017) 		294
15 Warren Moon^[a] Houston Oilers (1984–1993)
Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998)
Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000) 		291
16 Johnny Unitas^ Baltimore Colts (1956–1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973) 		290
17 Russell Wilson* Seattle Seahawks (2012–present) 285
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 Drew Bledsoe New England Patriots (1993–2001)
Buffalo Bills (2002–2004)
Dallas Cowboys (2005–2006) 		251
24 Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys (2003–2016) 248
25 Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals (1984–1992, 1997)
New York Jets (1993–1995)
Arizona Cardinals (1996) 		247
26 John Hadl San Diego Chargers (1962–1972)
Los Angeles Rams (1973–1974)[b]
Green Bay Packers (1974–1975)
Houston Oilers (1976–1977) 		244
27 Len Dawson^ Pittsburgh Steelers (1957–1959)
Cleveland Browns (1960–1961)
Dallas Texans (1962)
Kansas City Chiefs (1963–1975) 		239
28 Jim Kelly^[c] Buffalo Bills (1986–1996) 237
29 George Blanda^ Chicago Bears (1949, 1950–1958)[d]
Baltimore Colts (1950)
Houston Oilers (1960–1966)
Oakland Raiders (1967–1975) 		236
30 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011) 		234
31 Steve Young^[e] Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999) 		232
32 Jay Cutler Denver Broncos (2006–2008)
Chicago Bears (2009–2016)
Miami Dolphins (2017) 		227
Joe Flacco* Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018)
Denver Broncos (2019)
New York Jets (2020, 2021–present)
Philadelphia Eagles (2021)
34 Andy Dalton* Cincinnati Bengals (2011-2019)
Dallas Cowboys (2020)
Chicago Bears (2021-present) 		224
35 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–present) 		223
36 Kirk Cousins* Washington Redskins (2012-2017)
Minnesota Vikings (2018-present) 		220
37 John Brodie San Francisco 49ers (1957-1973) 214
38 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)
Y. A. Tittle^[f] Baltimore Colts (1950)
San Francisco 49ers (1951–1960)
New York Giants (1961–1964)
41 Jim Hart St. Louis Cardinals (1966–1983)
Washington Redskins (1984) 		209
42 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)
44 Randall Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles (1985–1995)
Minnesota Vikings (1997–1999)
Dallas Cowboys (2000)
Baltimore Ravens (2001) 		207
45 Jim Everett Los Angeles Rams (1986–1993)
New Orleans Saints (1994–1996)
San Diego Chargers (1997) 		203
46 Roman Gabriel Los Angeles Rams (1962–1972)
Philadelphia Eagles (1973–1977) 		201

Active players with at least 190 passing touchdowns[]

Through Week 16 of 2021 season.

Number Player Team(s) by season TDs/Rank
1 Cam Newton* Carolina Panthers (2011–2019, 2021–present)
New England Patriots (2020) 		194 (54th)
2 Ryan Tannehill* Miami Dolphins (2012–2018)
Tennessee Titans (2019–present) 		193 (56th)
3 Derek Carr* Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014–present) 190 (58th)

Most career touchdown passes including playoff games[]

Bold indicates active players; minimum 450 touchdowns.

1 Tom Brady 701
2 Drew Brees 608
3 Peyton Manning 579
4 Brett Favre 552
5 Aaron Rodgers 490
6 Dan Marino 452
7 Ben Roethlisberger 450

Historical passing touchdowns leaders[]

Sixteen players are recognised 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.

Elmer Oliphant was the 1st 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
(2 years) 		Tom Brady*
[20]		 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 581 2020
618 2021

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Warren Moon spent six seasons in the Canadian Football League, accumulating an additional 144 TD passes prior to entering the NFL as such not counted but of note.
  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, accumulating an additional 83 TD passes prior to entering the NFL as such not counted but of note.
  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, accumulating an additional 16 TD passes prior to entering the NFL as such not counted but of note.
  6. ^ Tittle's 30 touchdown passes in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) aren't included in this total, as the NFL does not recognise statistics accumulated in the AAFC.[1][2][3]

References[]

General
Footnotes
  1. ^ Pavlick, Ed (1980). "Pro Football Records Should Include the AAFC" (PDF). The Coffin Corner. Professional Football Researchers Association. 2 (7). 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. October 13, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  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 May 6, 2018.
  18. ^ "Peyton Manning stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  19. ^ "Drew Brees stats". PFRef.com. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  20. ^ "Tom Brady stats". PFRef.com. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
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