# List of National Football League career passing touchdowns leaders

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

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^ | 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) 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^ | Buffalo Bills (1986–1996) | 237 |
| 31 | George Blanda^ | Chicago Bears (1949, 1950–1958) 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^ | 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^ | 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

Sixteen players are recognized as having held outright or tied the record as the NFL's career passing touchdowns leader. 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 | Buffalo All-Americans | 7 | 1921–1922 |
| 1923 | Lou Smyth | Canton Bulldogs | 8 | 1923 |
| 1924–1928 (5 years) | Curly Lambeau^ | Green Bay Packers | 14 | 1924 |
| 19 | 1925 |
| 22 | 1926 |
| 23 | 1927 |
| 24 | 1928 |
| Tied 1928 | Red Dunn |
| 1929–1942 (14 years) | Benny Friedman^ | 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^ | Green Bay Packers | 1940–1942 |
| 1943–1961 (19 years) | Sammy Baugh^ | 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^ | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1961 |
| 196 | 1962 |
| 1962–1966 (5 years) | Y. A. Tittle^ | New York Giants | 1962 |
| 232 | 1963 |
| 242 | 1964–1966 |
| 1967–1974 (8 years) | Johnny Unitas^ | 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^ | Minnesota Vikings | 291 | 1975 |
| 308 | 1976 |
| 317 | 1977 |
| 342 | 1978–1994 |
| 1995–2006 (12 years) | Dan Marino^ | Miami Dolphins | 352 | 1995 |
| 369 | 1996 |
| 385 | 1997 |
| 408 | 1998 |
| 420 | 1999–2006 |
| 2007–2013 (7 years) | Brett Favre^ | 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 ^ | Denver Broncos | 530 | 2014 |
| 539 | 2015–2018 |
| 2019 | Drew Brees | New Orleans Saints | 547 | 2019 |
| Since 2020 (6 years) | Tom Brady | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 581 | 2020 |
| 624 | 2021 |
| 649 | 2022–2026 |

## Related pages

* List of National Football League annual passing touchdowns leaders
* List of National Football League career passing completions leaders
* List of National Football League career passing yards leaders
* List of National Football League career quarterback wins leaders

* NFL Passing Leaders – complete list
* Pro-football-reference.com enumeration of career passing leaders