# List of National Football League career passing completions leaders

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

Tom Brady has the most passing completions with 7,753. He also has the most passing attempts with 12,050. He also leads in playoff completions with 1,200. He also has the most playoff attempts with 1,921.

## Regular season completions leaders

Tom Brady is the all-time leader in passing attempts and completions.

Key| ^ | Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame |
| \* | Denotes player who is still active |

*Through 2022 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 | 62.0% |
| 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–present) | 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–present) | 5,001 | 7,660 | 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) | 4,508 | 7,128 | 63.2% |
| 12 | John Elway^ | Denver Broncos (1983–1998) | 4,123 | 7,250 | 56.9% |
| 13 | 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% |
| 14 | Carson Palmer | Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2010) Oakland Raiders (2011–2012) Arizona Cardinals (2013–2017) | 3,941 | 6,307 | 62.5% |
| 15 | Joe Flacco\* | Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018) Denver Broncos (2019) New York Jets (2020, 2021–present) Philadelphia Eagles (2021) | 3,881 | 6,299 | 61.6% |
| 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 | 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% |
| 20 | Joe Montana^ | San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992) Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994) | 3,409 | 5,391 | 63.2% |
| 21 | Andy Dalton\* | Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019) Dallas Cowboys (2020) Chicago Bears (2021) New Orleans Saints (2022–present) | 3,374 | 5,396 | 62.5% |
| 22 | Russell Wilson\* | Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021) Denver Broncos (2022–present) | 3,371 | 5,218 | 64.6% |
| 23 | Dan Fouts^ | San Diego Chargers (1973–1987) | 3,297 | 5,604 | 58.8% |
| 24 | Alex Smith | San Francisco 49ers (2005–2012) Kansas City Chiefs (2013–2017) Washington de Team (2018–2020) | 3,250 | 5,193 | 62.6% |
| 25 | Kirk Cousins\* | Washington Redskins (2012–2017) Minnesota Vikings (2018–present) | 3,249 | 4,866 | 66.8% |
| 26 | 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% |
| 27 | Derek Carr\* | Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014–present) | 3,201 | 4,958 | 64.6% |
| 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 | Jay Cutler | Denver Broncos (2006–2008) Chicago Bears (2009–2016) Miami Dolphins (2017) | 3,048 | 4,920 | 62.0% |
| 32 | Boomer Esiason | Cincinnati Bengals (1984–1992, 1997) New York Jets (1993–1995) Arizona Cardinals (1996) | 2,969 | 5,205 | 57.0% |
| 33 | Ryan Tannehill\* | Miami Dolphins (2012–2018) Tennessee Titans (2019–present) | 2,914 | 4,534 | 64.3% |
| 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) Kansas City Chiefs (1988–1991) Miami Dolphins (1993) Atlanta Falcons (1998) | 2,874 | 5,024 | 57.2% |
| Jim Kelly^ | Buffalo Bills (1986–1996) | 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 | Ken Anderson | Cincinnati Bengals (1971–1986) | 2,654 | 4,475 | 59.3% |
| 48 | Jim Hart | St. Louis Cardinals (1966–1983) Washington Redskins (1984) | 2,593 | 5,076 | 51.1% |
| 49 | Phil Simms | New York Giants (1979–1993) | 2,576 | 4,647 | 55.4% |
| 50 | Rich Gannon | Minnesota Vikings (1987–1992) Washington Redskins (1993) Kansas City Chiefs (1995–1998) Oakland Raiders (1999–2004) | 2,533 | 4,206 | 60.2% |

## Playoff leaders

*Through start of Super Bowl LVII of 2022 playoffs.* 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 | Aaron Rodgers\* | Green Bay Packers (2005–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% |
| Brett Favre^ | Atlanta Falcons (1991) Green Bay Packers (1992–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010) | 791 | 60.8% |
| 7 | Joe Montana^ | San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992) Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994) | 460 | 734 | 62.7% |
| 8 | Dan Marino^ | Miami Dolphins (1983–1999) | 385 | 687 | 56.0% |
| 9 | John Elway^ | Denver Broncos (1983–1998) | 355 | 651 | 54.5% |
| 10 | Donovan McNabb | Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009) Washington Redskins (2010) Minnesota Vikings (2011) | 341 | 577 | 59.1% |
| 11 | Patrick Mahomes\* | Kansas City Chiefs (2017-present) | 331 | 496 | 66.7% |
| 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 | Russell Wilson\* | Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021) Denver Broncos (2022–present) | 275 | 451 | 61.0% |
| 17 | Terry Bradshaw^ | Pittsburgh Steelers (1970–1983) | 261 | 456 | 57.2% |
| 18 | Warren Moon^ | Houston Oilers (1984–1993) Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996) Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998) Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000) | 259 | 403 | 64.3% |
| 19 | Joe Flacco\* | Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018) Denver Broncos (2019) New York Jets (2020, 2021–present) Philadelphia Eagles (2021) | 253 | 447 | 56.6% |

## 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.

"Slinging Sammy" Baugh, is seen 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. He also won a Super Bowl in the 1970s.
Fran Tarkenton about to throw a forward pass in 1965
Brett Favre had held the record from 2006 to 2018, It was broken by Drew Brees. He had also held the record for career pass attempts from 2008 to 2020.

| Reign | Player | Team(s) while leader | Career completions | Season |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1932–1940 (9 years) | Arnie Herber^ | 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^ | 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^ | 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^ | 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^ | Minnesota Vikings | 2,931 | 1975 |
| 3,186 | 1976 |
| 3,341 | 1977 |
| 3,686 | 1978–1994 |
| 1995–2005 (11 years) | Dan Marino^ | Miami Dolphins | 3,913 | 1995 |
| 4,134 | 1996 |
| 4,453 | 1997 |
| 4,763 | 1998 |
| 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 |
| 5,377 | 2007 |
| 5,720 | 2008 |
| 6,083 | 2009 |
| 6,300 | 2010–2017 |
| 2018–2020 (3 years) | Drew Brees | New Orleans Saints | 6,586 | 2018 |
| 6,867 | 2019 |
| 7,142 | 2020 |
| Since 2021 (5 years) | Tom Brady | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7,263 | 2021 |
| 7,753 | 2022–2026 |

## Related pages

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

* PFRef.com enumeration of career passing completions leaders