List of National Football League career passing completions leaders

This is the top 50 National Football League quarterbacks career total regular season pass completions. Only three have less than 2,500 passes.

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Drew Brees leads with 7,142 completions. Tom Brady leads in passing attempts with 10,598.

Regular season completions leaders
Drew Brees is the all-time completions leader. He had held the record for career pass attempts for the first eleven weeks of the 2020 season, when Tom Brady surpassed it.
Tom Brady is the all-time pass attempts leader.
Key
^ Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who is still active

Through end of 2020 season.

Rank Player Team(s) by season Completions Attempts Pct.
1 Drew Brees San Diego Chargers (2001–2005)
New Orleans Saints (2006–2020)		 7,142 10,551 67.69
2 Tom Brady* New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–present)		 6,778 10,598 63.96
3 Brett Favre^ Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)		 6,300 10,169 61.95
4 Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011)
Denver Broncos (2012–2015)		 6,125 9,380 65.30
5 Philip Rivers San Diego/L.A. Chargers (2004–2019)
Indianapolis Colts (2020)		 5,277 8,134 64.88
6 Ben Roethlisberger* Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–present) 5,050 7,838 64.43
7 Dan Marino^ Miami Dolphins (1983–1999) 4,967 8,358 59.43
8 Eli Manning New York Giants (2004–2019) 4,895 8,119 60.29
9 Matt Ryan* Atlanta Falcons (2008–present) 4,867 7,443 65.39
10 Aaron Rodgers^ Green Bay Packers (2005–present) 4,285 6,587 65.05
11 John Elway^ Denver Broncos (1983–1998) 4,123 7,250 56.87
12 Warren Moon^ Houston Oilers (1984–1993)
Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998)
Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000)		 3,988 6,823 58.45
13 Carson Palmer Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2010)
Oakland Raiders (2011–2012)
Arizona Cardinals (2013–2017)		 3,941 6,307 62.49
14 Matthew Stafford* Detroit Lions (2009–present) 3,898 6,224 62.63
15 Drew Bledsoe New England Patriots (1993–2001)
Buffalo Bills (2002–2004)
Dallas Cowboys (2005–2006)		 3,839 6,717 57.15
16 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 56.51
17 Joe Flacco* Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018)
Denver Broncos (2019)
New York Jets (2020–present)		 3,744 6,066 61.72
18 Fran Tarkenton^ Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966, 1972–1978)
New York Giants (1967–1971)		 3,686 6,467 57.00
19 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 55.69
20 Joe Montana^ San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992)
Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994)		 3,409 5,391 63.24
21 Dan Fouts^ San Diego Chargers (1973–1987) 3,297 5,604 58.83
22 Alex Smith* San Francisco 49ers (2005–2012)
Kansas City Chiefs (2013–2017)
Washington Redskins/Football Team (2018–present)		 3,250 5,193 62.58
23 Matt Hasselbeck Green Bay Packers (1999–2000)
Seattle Seahawks (2001–2010)
Tennessee Titans (2011–2012)
Indianapolis Colts (2013−2015)		 3,222 5,330 60.45
24 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011)		 3,170 5,374 58.99
25 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 58.47
26 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–present)		 3,069 5,054 60.72
27 Jay Cutler Denver Broncos (2006–2008)
Chicago Bears (2009–2016)
Miami Dolphins (2017)		 3,048 4,920 61.95
28 Andy Dalton* Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019)
Dallas Cowboys (2020–present)		 2,973 4,782 62.17
29 Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals (1984–1992, 1997)
New York Jets (1993–1995)
Arizona Cardinals (1996)		 2,969 5,205 57.04
30 Troy Aikman^ Dallas Cowboys (1989–2000) 2,898 4,715 61.46
31 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 57.21
Jim Kelly^ Buffalo Bills (1986–1996) 4,779 60.14
33 Jim Everett Los Angeles Rams (1986–1993)
New Orleans Saints (1994–1996)
San Diego Chargers (1997)		 2,841 4,923 57.71
34 Johnny Unitas* Baltimore Colts (1956–1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973)		 2,830 5,186 54.57
35 Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys (2003–2016) 2,829 4,335 65.26
36 Russell Wilson* Seattle Seahawks (2012–present) 2,820 4,335 65.05
37 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 59.50
38 Steve McNair Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1995–2005)
Baltimore Ravens (2006–2007)		 2,733 4,544 60.15
39 Jon Kitna Seattle Seahawks (1997–2000)
Cincinnati Bengals (2001–2005)
Detroit Lions (2006–2008)
Dallas Cowboys (2009–2011, 2013)		 2,677 4,442 60.27
40 Brad Johnson Minnesota Vikings (1994–1998), (2005–2006)
Washington Redskins (1999–2000)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2001–2004)		 2,668 4,324 61.70
41 Steve Young^ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)		 2,667 4,149 64.28
42 Kurt Warner^ St. Louis Rams (1998–2003)
New York Giants (2004)
Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)		 2,666 4,070 65.50
43 Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals (1971–1986) 2,654 4,475 59.31
44 Cam Newton* Carolina Panthers (2011–2019)
New England Patriots (2020–present)		 2,613 4,348 60.10
45 Jim Hart St. Louis Cardinals (1966–1983)
Washington Redskins (1984)		 2,593 5,076 51.08
46 Phil Simms New York Giants (1979–1993) 2,576 4,647 55.43
47 Rich Gannon Minnesota Vikings (1987–1992)
Washington Redskins (1993)
Kansas City Chiefs (1995–1998)
Oakland Raiders (1999–2004)		 2,533 4,206 60.22
48 Jake Plummer Arizona Cardinals (1997–2002)
Denver Broncos (2003–2006)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2007)		 2,484 4,350 57.10
49 John Brodie San Francisco 49ers (1957–1973) 2,469 4,491 54.98
50 Derek Carr* Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014–present) 2,468 3,830 64.44

Playoff leaders

Through start of Super Bowl LV of 2020 playoffs.[1] At least 250 completions.

Rank Player Team(s) by season Completions Attempts Pct. (in 100ths)
1 Tom Brady* New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–present)		 1,085 1,735 62.54
2 Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011)
Denver Broncos (2012–2015)		 649 1,027 63.19
3 Drew Brees* San Diego Chargers (2001–2005)
New Orleans Saints (2006–2020)		 481 721 66.71
Brett Favre^ Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)		 791 60.81
Aaron Rodgers* Green Bay Packers (2005–present) 745 64.56
6 Ben Roethlisberger* Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–present) 469 724 64.78
7 Joe Montana^ San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992)
Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994)		 460 734 62.67
8 Dan Marino^ Miami Dolphins (1983–1999) 385 687 56.04
9 John Elway^ Denver Broncos (1983–1998) 355 651 54.53
10 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011)		 341 577 59.1
11 Jim Kelly^ Buffalo Bills (1986–1996) 322 545 59.08
12 Troy Aikman^ Dallas Cowboys (1989–2000) 320 502 63.75
13 Kurt Warner^ St. Louis Rams (1998–2003)
New York Giants (2004)
Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)		 307 462 66.45
14 Steve Young^ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)		 292 471 62
15 Russell Wilson* Seattle Seahawks (2012–present) 275 451 60.98
16 Terry Bradshaw^ Pittsburgh Steelers (1970–1983) 261 456 57.24
17 Warren Moon^ Houston Oilers (1984–1993)
Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998)
Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000)		 259 403 64.27
18 Joe Flacco* Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018)
Denver Broncos (2019)
New York Jets (2020–present)		 253 447 56.6

Most completions and attempts, including playoff games

Bold indicates player active; minimum 10K attempts/6K completions.

1 Tom Brady 7,863 12,333 63.76
2 Drew Brees 7,623 11,272 67.63
3 Brett Favre 6,781 10,960 61.87
4 Peyton Manning 6,774 10,407 65.09

Historical passing completions leaders

Eight 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, when Brees surpassed it.
ReignPlayerTeam(s) while leaderCareer completionsSeason
1932–1940
(9 years)		Arnie Herber^
[3]		Green Bay Packers371932
871933
1291934
1691935
2461936
2931937
3151938
3721939
4101940
1941–1959
(19 years)		Sammy Baugh^
[4]		Washington Redskins4141941
5461942
6701943
7611944
8891945
9761946
1,1861947
1,3711948
1,5161949
1,6061950
1,6731951
1,6931952–1959
1960–1968
(9 years)		Y. A. Tittle^
[5]		San Francisco 49ers (1960)
New York Giants (1961–1964)		1,6961960
1,8591961
2,0591962
2,2801963
2,4271964–1968
1969–1974
(6 years)		Johnny Unitas^
[6]		Baltimore Colts (1969–1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973)		2,4501969
2,6161970
2,7081971
2,7961972
2,8301973–1974
1975–1994
(20 years)		Fran Tarkenton^
[7]		Minnesota Vikings2,9311975
3,1861976
3,3411977
3,6861978–1994
1995–2005
(11 years)		Dan Marino^
[8]		Miami Dolphins3,9131995
4,1341996
4,4531997
4,7631998
4,9671999–2005
2006–2017
(12 years)		Brett Favre^
[9]		Green Bay Packers (2006–2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)		5,0212006
5,3772007
5,7202008
6,0832009
6,3002010–2017
Since 2018
(3 years)		Drew Brees
[10]		New Orleans Saints6,5862018
6,8672019
7,1422020

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

See also

References
  1. "NFL Passes Completed Career Playoffs Leaders". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  2. "NFL Passes Completed Career Leaders". PFR.
  3. "Arnie Herber stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  4. "Sammy Baugh stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  5. "Y.A. Tittle". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved 2017-09-12.
  6. "Johnny Unitas stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  7. "Fran Tarkenton stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  8. "Dan Marino stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  9. "Brett Favre stats". Pro football reference.com. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  10. "Drew Brees stats". PFRef.com. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
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