List of NFL quarterbacks with 5,000 passing yards in a season
Passing for 5,000 yards in a single regular season is a rare achievement in the
In 2011, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Matthew Stafford each threw for over 5,000 yards. Patrick Mahomes and Ben Roethlisberger both accomplished it in 2018. NFL quarterbacks have passed for 5,000 yards in a season fifteen times. Despite the rarity of a 5,000-yard passing season, only four have resulted in MVP Honors. Patrick Mahomes earned it twice in 2018 and 2022, while Dan Marino and Peyton Manning have earned it once in 1984 and 2013 respectively. Stafford, Roethlisberger, and Jameis Winston are the only quarterbacks to not be selected to the Pro Bowl the same year of their 5,000-yard season. Patrick Mahomes has accomplished this feat most recently, throwing for 5,250 yards in the 2022 season. In the postseason, he became the first 5,000-yard passer to win the Super Bowl. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the only franchise to have multiple quarterbacks (Winston and Brady) accomplish 5,000 passing yards.
All have done it while playing the full season. In 2021, the NFL approved a 17-game schedule, increasing the likelihood of a 5,000 yard passer.
NFL players with 5,000 passing yards in a season
Quarterback | Team | Yards | Season | Games played | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dan Marino^ | Miami Dolphins | 5,084* | 1984 | 16 | NFL MVP , first player to pass for over 5,000 yards in a season
|
Drew Brees | New Orleans Saints | 5,069 | 2008 | 16 | Offensive Player of the Year[4]
|
Drew Brees (2) | New Orleans Saints | 5,476* | 2011 | 16 | Offensive Player of the Year , first quarterback with multiple 5,000-yard seasons
|
Tom Brady | New England Patriots | 5,235 | 16 | [5] | |
Matthew Stafford | Detroit Lions | 5,038 | 16 | Comeback Player of the Year[6] | |
Drew Brees (3) | New Orleans Saints | 5,177 | 2012 | 16 | Second consecutive season passing for over 5,000 yards |
Peyton Manning^ | Denver Broncos | 5,477* | 2013 | 16 | NFL MVP[7]
|
Drew Brees (4) | New Orleans Saints | 5,162 | 16 | Third consecutive season passing for over 5,000 yards | |
Drew Brees (5) | New Orleans Saints | 5,208 | 2016 | 16 | |
Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh Steelers | 5,129 | 2018 | 16 | [8] |
Patrick Mahomes^ | Kansas City Chiefs | 5,097 | 16 | NFL MVP ,
| |
Jameis Winston | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 5,109 | 2019 | 16 | Led NFL in interceptions (30)[9] |
Tom Brady (2) | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 5,316 | 2021 | 17 | |
Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers | 5,014 | 17 | [10] | |
Patrick Mahomes^ (2) | Kansas City Chiefs | 5,250 | 2022 | 17 | NFL MVP
|
*League Record ^Named MVP
4,000 passing yards in a season
4,000 yards passing in a season was once considered a rare feat but has lost a bit of significance over the years. During the fourteen-game era, only
References
- ^ Dorman, Larry. "He sets passing record, eliminates Dallas".
- ^ "Brees breaks passing record". 2011-12-26.
- ^ Brett Martel, "Panthers come from behind to beat Saints 44-38", Associated Press, December 31, 2012.
- ^ "Drew Brees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "Tom Brady". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "Matthew Stafford". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "Peyton Manning". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "Ben Roethlisberger". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "Jameis Winston". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "Justin Herbert". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "2016 Passing Stats". NFL.com.
- ^ "NFL expands season, increases playoff berths in 1978 changes". Toledo Blade. (Ohio). Associated Press. March 30, 1977. p. 30.
- ^ "Bears failed to produce a 4,000-yard passer in 16-game era". 29 March 2021.
- ^ "History Release: 4,000 yard passers", Pro Football Hall of Fame, December 31, 2012 (accessed 2013-01-24).