List_of_National_Football_League_passing_completions_leaders

List of NFL career passing completions leaders

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This is a list of the top 50 National Football League quarterbacks career regular season passing completions and attempts, of quarterback playoff completions and attempts by players with over 250 playoff completions, and combined career totals.

Tom Brady is the all-time leader in passing completions with 7,753 and passing attempts with 12,050. He also leads in playoff completions and attempts with 1,200 and 1,921, respectively.

Regular season completions leaders

Bolded players indicate making their debut on list.

Key
^	Pro Football Hall of Fame member.
*	Active player.

Through 2023 season.

More information Rank, Player ...

Rank	Player	Team(s) by season	Completions	Attempts	Pct.
1	Tom Brady	New England Patriots (2000–2019) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022)	7,753	12,050	64.3%
2	Drew Brees	San Diego Chargers (2001–2005) New Orleans Saints (2006–2020)	7,142	10,551	67.7%
3	Brett Favre^{^}	Atlanta Falcons (1991) Green Bay Packers (1992–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)	6,300	10,169	62.0%
4	Peyton Manning^{^}	Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011) Denver Broncos (2012–2015)	6,125	9,380	65.3%
5	Matt Ryan	Atlanta Falcons (2008–2021) Indianapolis Colts (2022)	5,551	8,464	65.6%
6	Ben Roethlisberger	Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2021)	5,440	8,443	64.4%
7	Philip Rivers	San Diego/L.A. Chargers (2004–2019) Indianapolis Colts (2020)	5,277	8,134	64.9%
8	Aaron Rodgers^*	Green Bay Packers (2005–2022) New York Jets (2023–present)	5,001	7,661	65.3%
9	Dan Marino^{^}	Miami Dolphins (1983–1998)	4,967	8,358	59.4%
10	Eli Manning	New York Giants (2004–2019)	4,895	8,119	60.3%
11	Matthew Stafford^*	Detroit Lions (2009–2020) Los Angeles Rams (2021–present)	4,834	7,649	63.2%
12	John Elway^{^}	Denver Broncos (1983–1998)	4,123	7,250	56.9%
13	Joe Flacco^*	Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018) Denver Broncos (2019) New York Jets (2020, 2021–2022) Philadelphia Eagles (2021) Cleveland Browns (2023) Indianapolis Colts (2024-present)	4,004	6,503	61.6%
14	Warren Moon^{^}	Houston Oilers (1984–1993) Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996) Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998) Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000)	3,988	6,823	58.4%
15	Carson Palmer	Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2010) Oakland Raiders (2011–2012) Arizona Cardinals (2013–2017)	3,941	6,307	62.5%
16	Drew Bledsoe	New England Patriots (1993–2001) Buffalo Bills (2002–2004) Dallas Cowboys (2005–2006)	3,839	6,717	57.2%
17	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)	3,787	6,701	56.5%
18	Fran Tarkenton^{^}	Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966, 1972–1978) New York Giants (1967–1971)	3,686	6,467	57.0%
19	Russell Wilson^*	Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021) Denver Broncos (2022–2023) Pittsburgh Steelers (2024-present)	3,668	5,665	64.7%
20	Derek Carr^*	Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014–2022) New Orleans Saints (2023-present)	3,576	5,506	64.9%
21	Kerry Collins	Carolina Panthers (1995–1998)^{[lower-alpha 1]} New Orleans Saints (1998) New York Giants (1999–2003) Oakland Raiders (2004–2005) Tennessee Titans (2006–2010) Indianapolis Colts (2011)	3,487	6,261	55.7%
22	Kirk Cousins^*	Washington Redskins (2012–2017) Minnesota Vikings (2018–2023) Atlanta Falcons (2024-present)	3,465	5,177	66.9%
23	Joe Montana^{^}	San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992) Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994)	3,409	5,391	63.2%
24	Andy Dalton^*	Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019) Dallas Cowboys (2020) Chicago Bears (2021) New Orleans Saints (2022) Carolina Panthers (2023–present)	3,408	5,454	62.5%
25	Dan Fouts^{^}	San Diego Chargers (1973–1987)	3,297	5,604	58.8%
26	Alex Smith	San Francisco 49ers (2005–2012) Kansas City Chiefs (2013–2017) Washington Football Team (2018–2020)	3,250	5,193	62.6%
27	Matt Hasselbeck	Green Bay Packers (1999–2000) Seattle Seahawks (2001–2010) Tennessee Titans (2011–2012) Indianapolis Colts (2013–2015)	3,222	5,330	60.5%
28	Donovan McNabb	Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009) Washington Redskins (2010) Minnesota Vikings (2011)	3,170	5,374	59.0%
29	Dave Krieg	Seattle Seahawks (1980–1991) Kansas City Chiefs (1992–1993) Detroit Lions (1994) Arizona Cardinals (1995) Chicago Bears (1996) Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998)	3,105	5,311	58.5%
30	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)	3,072	5,060	60.7%
31	Ryan Tannehill^*	Miami Dolphins (2012–2018) Tennessee Titans (2019–2023)	3,063	4,764	64.3%
32	Jay Cutler	Denver Broncos (2006–2008) Chicago Bears (2009–2016) Miami Dolphins (2017)	3,048	4,920	62.0%
33	Boomer Esiason	Cincinnati Bengals (1984–1992, 1997) New York Jets (1993–1995) Arizona Cardinals (1996)	2,969	5,205	57.0%
34	Troy Aikman^{^}	Dallas Cowboys (1989–2000)	2,898	4,715	61.5%
35	Steve DeBerg	San Francisco 49ers (1978–1980) Denver Broncos (1981–1983) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1984–1987, 1992–1993)^{[lower-alpha 2]} Kansas City Chiefs (1988–1991) Miami Dolphins (1993) Atlanta Falcons (1998)	2,874	5,024	57.2%
35	Jim Kelly^{^}	Buffalo Bills (1986–1996)	2,874	4,779	60.1%
37	Jim Everett	Los Angeles Rams (1986–1993) New Orleans Saints (1994–1996) San Diego Chargers (1997)	2,841	4,923	57.7%
38	Johnny Unitas^*	Baltimore Colts (1956–1972) San Diego Chargers (1973)	2,830	5,186	54.6%
39	Tony Romo	Dallas Cowboys (2003–2016)	2,829	4,335	65.3%
40	Mark Brunell	Green Bay Packers (1994) Jacksonville Jaguars (1995–2003) Washington Redskins (2004–2007) New Orleans Saints (2008–2009) New York Jets (2010–2011)	2,761	4,640	59.5%
41	Steve McNair	Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1995–2005) Baltimore Ravens (2006–2007)	2,733	4,544	60.1%
42	Cam Newton	Carolina Panthers (2011–2019, 2021) New England Patriots (2020)	2,682	4,474	59.9%
43	Jon Kitna	Seattle Seahawks (1997–2000) Cincinnati Bengals (2001–2005) Detroit Lions (2006–2008) Dallas Cowboys (2009–2011, 2013)	2,677	4,442	60.3%
44	Brad Johnson	Minnesota Vikings (1994–1998), (2005–2006) Washington Redskins (1999–2000) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2001–2004)	2,668	4,324	61.7%
45	Steve Young^{^}	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986) San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)	2,667	4,149	64.3%
46	Kurt Warner^{^}	St. Louis Rams (1998–2003) New York Giants (2004) Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)	2,666	4,070	65.5%
47	Jared Goff^*	Los Angeles Rams (2016–2020) Detroit Lions (2021-present)	2,657	4,107	64.7%
48	Ken Anderson	Cincinnati Bengals (1971–1986)	2,654	4,475	59.3%
49	Dak Prescott^*	Dallas Cowboys (2016-present)	2,595	3,873	67.0%
50	Jim Hart	St. Louis Cardinals (1966–1983) Washington Redskins (1984)	2,593	5,076	51.1%
Rank	Player	Team(s) by season	Completions	Attempts	Pct.

Playoff leaders

Through 2023 playoffs.^[1] Based on at least 250 completions.

More information Rank, Player ...

Rank	Player	Team(s) by season	Completions	Attempts	Pct.
1	Tom Brady	New England Patriots (2000–2019) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022)	1,200	1,921	62.5%
2	Peyton Manning^{^}	Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011) Denver Broncos (2012–2015)	649	1,027	63.2%
3	Aaron Rodgers^*	Green Bay Packers (2005–2022) New York Jets (2023-present)	501	774	64.7%
4	Ben Roethlisberger	Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2021)	498	788	63.2%
5	Drew Brees	San Diego Chargers (2001–2005) New Orleans Saints (2006–2020)	481	721	66.7%
5	Brett Favre^{^}	Atlanta Falcons (1991) Green Bay Packers (1992–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)	481	791	60.8%
7	Joe Montana^{^}	San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992) Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994)	460	734	62.7%
8	Patrick Mahomes^*	Kansas City Chiefs (2017-present)	456	672	67.9%
9	Dan Marino^{^}	Miami Dolphins (1983–1999)	385	687	56.0%
10	John Elway^{^}	Denver Broncos (1983–1998)	355	651	54.5%
11	Donovan McNabb	Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009) Washington Redskins (2010) Minnesota Vikings (2011)	341	577	59.1%
12	Jim Kelly^{^}	Buffalo Bills (1986–1996)	322	545	59.1%
13	Troy Aikman^{^}	Dallas Cowboys (1989–2000)	320	502	63.7%
14	Kurt Warner^{^}	St. Louis Rams (1998–2003) New York Giants (2004) Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)	307	462	66.5%
15	Steve Young^{^}	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986) San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)	292	471	62.0%
16	Joe Flacco^*	Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018) Denver Broncos (2019) New York Jets (2020, 2021–2022) Philadelphia Eagles (2021) Cleveland Browns (2023) Indianapolis Colts (2024-present)	287	493	58.2%
17	Russell Wilson^*	Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021) Denver Broncos (2022–2023) Pittsburgh Steelers (2024-present)	275	451	61.0%
18	Terry Bradshaw^{^}	Pittsburgh Steelers (1970–1983)	261	456	57.2%
19	Warren Moon^{^}	Houston Oilers (1984–1993) Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996) Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998) Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000)	259	403	64.3%

Historical passing completions leaders

Nine players are recognised as having held the record as the NFL's career pass completions leader.^[2] The longest record holder was Fran Tarkenton who held the record for 20 years.

"Slinging Sammy" Baugh, the Texas Christian U. star was rated as one of the greatest of his generation.

Y A Tittle retired as the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions, and games played

Johnny Unitas won an NFL title in the 1950s and a Super Bowl in the 1970s.

Fran Tarkenton about to throw a forward pass (1965)

Brett Favre had held the record from 2006 to 2018, when it was broken by Drew Brees. He had also held the record for career pass attempts from 2008 to 2020.

More information Reign, Player ...

Reign	Player	Team(s) while leader	Career completions	Season
1932–1940 (9 years)	Arnie Herber^{^} ^[3]	Green Bay Packers	37	1932
			87	1933
			129	1934
			169	1935
			246	1936
			293	1937
			315	1938
			372	1939
			410	1940
1941–1959 (19 years)	Sammy Baugh^{^} ^[4]	Washington Redskins	414	1941
			546	1942
			670	1943
			761	1944
			889	1945
			976	1946
			1,186	1947
			1,371	1948
			1,516	1949
			1,606	1950
			1,673	1951
			1,693	1952–1959
1960–1968 (9 years)	Y. A. Tittle^{^} ^[5]	San Francisco 49ers (1960) New York Giants (1961–1964)	1,696	1960
			1,859	1961
			2,059	1962
			2,280	1963
			2,427	1964–1968
1969–1974 (6 years)	Johnny Unitas^{^} ^[6]	Baltimore Colts (1969–1972) San Diego Chargers (1973)	2,450	1969
			2,616	1970
			2,708	1971
			2,796	1972
			2,830	1973–1974
1975–1994 (20 years)	Fran Tarkenton^{^} ^[7]	Minnesota Vikings	2,931	1975
			3,186	1976
			3,341	1977
			3,686	1978–1994
1995–2005 (11 years)	Dan Marino^{^} ^[8]	Miami Dolphins	3,913	1995
			4,134	1996
			4,453	1997
			4,763	1998
			4,967	1999–2005
2006–2017 (12 years)	Brett Favre^{^} ^[9]	Green Bay Packers (2006–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)	5,021	2006
			5,377	2007
			5,720	2008
			6,083	2009
			6,300	2010–2017
2018–2020 (3 years)	Drew Brees ^[10]	New Orleans Saints	6,586	2018
			6,867	2019
			7,142	2020
Since 2021 (4 years)	Tom Brady ^[11]	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	7,263	2021
Since 2021 (4 years)	7,753	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2022–2024

Notes

Collins was traded during the 1998 season; he played four games for the Panthers and seven for the Saints.
DeBerg was cut during the 1993 season; he played three games for the Buccaneers and five for the Dolphins.

References

PFRef.com enumeration of career passing completions leaders

[1]
"NFL Passes Completed Career Playoffs Leaders". ProFootballReference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
[2]
"NFL Passes Completed Career Leaders". PFR. Archived from the original on 2016-11-03. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
[3]
"Arnie Herber stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
[4]
"Sammy Baugh stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-12-04. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
[5]
"Y.A. Tittle". NFL.com. National Football League. Archived from the original on 2017-09-12. Retrieved 2017-09-12.
[6]
"Johnny Unitas stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-15. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
[7]
"Fran Tarkenton stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on 2023-07-04. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
[8]
"Dan Marino stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-03-21. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
[9]
"Brett Favre stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved 2018-05-06.^{[permanent dead link]}
[10]
"Drew Brees stats". PFRef.com. Archived from the original on 2023-07-13. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
[11]
"Tom Brady stats". PFRef.com. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2021-12-12.

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