# List of NFL career passing completions leaders

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.
Legend :
| ^ | Pro Football Hall of Famer |
| * | Active |
Through 2024 season.
| 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% |
| 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 | Aaron Rodgers$^*$ | Green Bay Packers (2005–2022) New York Jets (2023–2024) | 5,357 | 8,227 | 65.1% |
| 8 | Philip Rivers | San Diego/L.A. Chargers (2004–2019) Indianapolis Colts (2020) | 5,277 | 8,134 | 64.9% |
| 9 | Matthew Stafford$^*$ | Detroit Lions (2009–2020) Los Angeles Rams (2021–present) | 5,174 | 8,166 | 63.4% |
| 10 | Dan Marino$^^$ | Miami Dolphins (1983–1998) | 4,967 | 8,358 | 59.4% |
| 11 | Eli Manning | New York Giants (2004–2019) | 4,895 | 8,119 | 60.3% |
| 12 | Joe Flacco$^*$ | Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018) Denver Broncos (2019) New York Jets (2020, 2021–2022) Philadelphia Eagles (2021) Cleveland Browns (2023) Indianapolis Colts (2024) | 4,166 | 6,751 | 61.7% |
| 13 | John Elway$^^$ | Denver Broncos (1983–1998) | 4,123 | 7,250 | 56.9% |
| 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 | Russell Wilson$^*$ | Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021) Denver Broncos (2022–2023) Pittsburgh Steelers (2024) | 3,882 | 6,001 | 64.7% |
| 17 | Drew Bledsoe | New England Patriots (1993–2001) Buffalo Bills (2002–2004) Dallas Cowboys (2005–2006) | 3,839 | 6,717 | 57.2% |
| 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) | 3,787 | 6,701 | 56.5% |
| 19 | Kirk Cousins$^*$ | Washington Redskins (2012–2017) Minnesota Vikings (2018–2023) Atlanta Falcons (2024–present) | 3,768 | 5,730 | 65.8% |
| 20 | Derek Carr$^*$ | Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014–2022) New Orleans Saints (2023–present) | 3,765 | 5,685 | 65.1% |
| 21 | Fran Tarkenton$^^$ | Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966, 1972–1978) New York Giants (1967–1971) | 3,686 | 6,467 | 57% |
| 22 | Andy Dalton$^*$ | Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019) Dallas Cowboys (2020) Chicago Bears (2021) New Orleans Saints (2022) Carolina Panthers (2023–present) | 3,514 | 5,614 | 62.6% |
| 23 | 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) | 3,487 | 6,261 | 55.7% |
| 24 | Joe Montana$^*$ | San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992) Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994) | 3,409 | 5,391 | 63.2% |
| 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% |
| 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% |
| 33 | Jared Goff$^*$ | Los Angeles Rams (2016–2020) Detroit Lions (2021–present) | 3,047 | 4,646 | 65.6% |
| 34 | Boomer Esiason | Cincinnati Bengals (1984–1992, 1997) New York Jets (1993–1995) Arizona Cardinals (1996) | 2,969 | 5,205 | 57% |
| 35 | Troy Aikman$^^$ | Dallas Cowboys (1989–2000) | 2,898 | 4,715 | 61.5% |
| 36 | Steve DeBerg | San Francisco 49ers (1978–1980) Denver Broncos (1981–1983) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1984–1987, 1992–1993) Kansas City Chiefs (1988–1991) Miami Dolphins (1993) Atlanta Falcons (1998) | 2,874 | 5,024 | 57.2% |
| 36 | Jim Kelly$^^$ | Buffalo Bills (1986–1996) | 2,874 | 4,779 | 60.1% |
| 38 | Jim Everett | Los Angeles Rams (1986–1993) New Orleans Saints (1994–1996) San Diego Chargers (1997) | 2,841 | 4,923 | 57.7% |
| 39 | Johnny Unitas$^^$ | Baltimore Colts (1956–1972) San Diego Chargers (1973) | 2,830 | 5,186 | 54.6% |
| 40 | Tony Romo | Dallas Cowboys (2003–2016) | 2,829 | 4,335 | 65.3% |
| 41 | Dak Prescott$^*$ | Dallas Cowboys (2016–present) | 2,780 | 4,159 | 66.8% |
| 42 | Patrick Mahomes$^*$ | Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present) | 2,778 | 4,171 | 66% |
| 43 | 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% |
| 44 | Steve McNair | Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1995–2005) Baltimore Ravens (2006–2007) | 2,733 | 4,544 | 60.1% |
| 45 | Cam Newton | Carolina Panthers (2011–2019, 2021) New England Patriots (2020) | 2,682 | 4,474 | 59.9% |
| 46 | 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% |
| 47 | Brad Johnson | Minnesota Vikings (1994–1998), (2005–2006) Washington Redskins (1999–2000) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2001–2004) | 2,668 | 4,324 | 61.7% |
| 48 | Steve Young$^^$ | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986) San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999) | 2,667 | 4,149 | 64.3% |
| 49 | Kurt Warner$^^$ | St. Louis Rams (1998–2003) New York Giants (2004) Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009) | 2,666 | 4,070 | 65.5% |
| 50 | Ken Anderson | Cincinnati Bengals (1971–1986) | 2,654 | 4,475 | 59.3% |
| Rank | Player | Team(s) by season | Completions | Attempts | Pct. |

## Playoff leaders

Through 2024 playoffs. Based on at least 250 completions.
| 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 | Patrick Mahomes$^*$ | Kansas City Chiefs (2017-present) | 511 | 755 | 67.7% |
| 4 | Aaron Rodgers$^*$ | Green Bay Packers (2005–2022) New York Jets (2023–2024) | 501 | 774 | 64.7% |
| 5 | Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2021) | 498 | 788 | 63.2% |
| 6 | Drew Brees | San Diego Chargers (2001–2005) New Orleans Saints (2006–2020) | 481 | 721 | 66.7% |
| 6 | Brett Favre$^^$ | Atlanta Falcons (1991) Green Bay Packers (1992–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010) | 481 | 791 | 60.8% |
| 8 | Joe Montana$^^$ | San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992) Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994) | 460 | 734 | 62.7% |
| 9 | Dan Marino$^^$ | Miami Dolphins (1983–1999) | 385 | 687 | 56% |
| 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 | Josh Allen$^*$ | Buffalo Bills (2018-present) | 304 | 460 | 66.1% |
| 16 | Russell Wilson$^*$ | Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021) Denver Broncos (2022–2023) Pittsburgh Steelers (2024) | 295 | 478 | 61.7% |
| 17 | Steve Young$^^$ | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986) San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999) | 292 | 471 | 62% |
| 18 | Joe Flacco$^*$ | Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018) Denver Broncos (2019) New York Jets (2020, 2021–2022) Philadelphia Eagles (2021) Cleveland Browns (2023) Indianapolis Colts (2024) | 287 | 493 | 58.2% |
| 19 | Terry Bradshaw$^^$ | Pittsburgh Steelers (1970–1983) | 261 | 456 | 57.2% |
| 20 | 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. The longest record holder was Fran Tarkenton who held the record for 20 years.
| Reign | Player | Team(s) while leader | Career completions | Season |
| 1932–1940 (9 years) | Arnie Herber$^^$ | Green Bay Packers | 37 | 1932 |
| 1932–1940 (9 years) | Arnie Herber$^^$ | Green Bay Packers | 87 | 1933 |
| 1932–1940 (9 years) | Arnie Herber$^^$ | Green Bay Packers | 129 | 1934 |
| 1932–1940 (9 years) | Arnie Herber$^^$ | Green Bay Packers | 169 | 1935 |
| 1932–1940 (9 years) | Arnie Herber$^^$ | Green Bay Packers | 246 | 1936 |
| 1932–1940 (9 years) | Arnie Herber$^^$ | Green Bay Packers | 293 | 1937 |
| 1932–1940 (9 years) | Arnie Herber$^^$ | Green Bay Packers | 315 | 1938 |
| 1932–1940 (9 years) | Arnie Herber$^^$ | Green Bay Packers | 372 | 1939 |
| 1932–1940 (9 years) | Arnie Herber$^^$ | Green Bay Packers | 410 | 1940 |
| 1941–1959 (19 years) | Sammy Baugh$^^$ | Washington Redskins | 414 | 1941 |
| 1941–1959 (19 years) | Sammy Baugh$^^$ | Washington Redskins | 546 | 1942 |
| 1941–1959 (19 years) | Sammy Baugh$^^$ | Washington Redskins | 670 | 1943 |
| 1941–1959 (19 years) | Sammy Baugh$^^$ | Washington Redskins | 761 | 1944 |
| 1941–1959 (19 years) | Sammy Baugh$^^$ | Washington Redskins | 889 | 1945 |
| 1941–1959 (19 years) | Sammy Baugh$^^$ | Washington Redskins | 976 | 1946 |
| 1941–1959 (19 years) | Sammy Baugh$^^$ | Washington Redskins | 1,186 | 1947 |
| 1941–1959 (19 years) | Sammy Baugh$^^$ | Washington Redskins | 1,371 | 1948 |
| 1941–1959 (19 years) | Sammy Baugh$^^$ | Washington Redskins | 1,516 | 1949 |
| 1941–1959 (19 years) | Sammy Baugh$^^$ | Washington Redskins | 1,606 | 1950 |
| 1941–1959 (19 years) | Sammy Baugh$^^$ | Washington Redskins | 1,673 | 1951 |
| 1941–1959 (19 years) | Sammy Baugh$^^$ | Washington Redskins | 1,693 | 1952–1959 |
| 1960–1968 (9 years) | Y. A. Tittle$^^$ | San Francisco 49ers (1960) New York Giants (1961–1964) | 1,696 | 1960 |
| 1960–1968 (9 years) | Y. A. Tittle$^^$ | San Francisco 49ers (1960) New York Giants (1961–1964) | 1,859 | 1961 |
| 1960–1968 (9 years) | Y. A. Tittle$^^$ | San Francisco 49ers (1960) New York Giants (1961–1964) | 2,059 | 1962 |
| 1960–1968 (9 years) | Y. A. Tittle$^^$ | San Francisco 49ers (1960) New York Giants (1961–1964) | 2,280 | 1963 |
| 1960–1968 (9 years) | Y. A. Tittle$^^$ | San Francisco 49ers (1960) New York Giants (1961–1964) | 2,427 | 1964–1968 |
| 1969–1974 (6 years) | Johnny Unitas$^^$ | Baltimore Colts (1969–1972) San Diego Chargers (1973) | 2,450 | 1969 |
| 1969–1974 (6 years) | Johnny Unitas$^^$ | Baltimore Colts (1969–1972) San Diego Chargers (1973) | 2,616 | 1970 |
| 1969–1974 (6 years) | Johnny Unitas$^^$ | Baltimore Colts (1969–1972) San Diego Chargers (1973) | 2,708 | 1971 |
| 1969–1974 (6 years) | Johnny Unitas$^^$ | Baltimore Colts (1969–1972) San Diego Chargers (1973) | 2,796 | 1972 |
| 1969–1974 (6 years) | Johnny Unitas$^^$ | Baltimore Colts (1969–1972) San Diego Chargers (1973) | 2,830 | 1973–1974 |
| 1975–1994 (20 years) | Fran Tarkenton$^^$ | Minnesota Vikings | 2,931 | 1975 |
| 1975–1994 (20 years) | Fran Tarkenton$^^$ | Minnesota Vikings | 3,186 | 1976 |
| 1975–1994 (20 years) | Fran Tarkenton$^^$ | Minnesota Vikings | 3,341 | 1977 |
| 1975–1994 (20 years) | Fran Tarkenton$^^$ | Minnesota Vikings | 3,686 | 1978–1994 |
| 1995–2005 (11 years) | Dan Marino$^^$ | Miami Dolphins | 3,913 | 1995 |
| 1995–2005 (11 years) | Dan Marino$^^$ | Miami Dolphins | 4,134 | 1996 |
| 1995–2005 (11 years) | Dan Marino$^^$ | Miami Dolphins | 4,453 | 1997 |
| 1995–2005 (11 years) | Dan Marino$^^$ | Miami Dolphins | 4,763 | 1998 |
| 1995–2005 (11 years) | Dan Marino$^^$ | Miami Dolphins | 4,967 | 1999–2005 |
| 2006–2017 (12 years) | Brett Favre$^^$ | Green Bay Packers (2006–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010) | 5,021 | 2006 |
| 2006–2017 (12 years) | Brett Favre$^^$ | Green Bay Packers (2006–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010) | 5,377 | 2007 |
| 2006–2017 (12 years) | Brett Favre$^^$ | Green Bay Packers (2006–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010) | 5,720 | 2008 |
| 2006–2017 (12 years) | Brett Favre$^^$ | Green Bay Packers (2006–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010) | 6,083 | 2009 |
| 2006–2017 (12 years) | Brett Favre$^^$ | Green Bay Packers (2006–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010) | 6,300 | 2010–2017 |
| 2018–2020 (3 years) | Drew Brees | New Orleans Saints | 6,586 | 2018 |
| 2018–2020 (3 years) | Drew Brees | New Orleans Saints | 6,867 | 2019 |
| 2018–2020 (3 years) | Drew Brees | New Orleans Saints | 7,142 | 2020 |
| Since 2021 (5 years) | Tom Brady | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7,263 | 2021 |
| Since 2021 (5 years) | 7,753 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2022–2025 |