Quarterbacks are the longest-lived players in football, because unlike a running back or a wide receiver, they do not take as many hits on the field, often playing through pain as well.
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There are currently several veteran quarterbacks, starting with Tom Brady, who will play next season at the age of 45. Brady and other quarterbacks have been in the NFL for a long time, so obviously they have racked up a lot of passing yards. So let's take a look at the 10 current NFL quarterbacks with the most career passing yards.
10 Derek Carr (31,700 Yards)
Derek Carr made his NFL debut in the 2014 season with the Oakland Raiders, and has been the team's starting quarterback ever since. He has stayed healthy throughout his career, which is precisely why Carr has 31,700 career passing yards. Last season Carr recorded a career-high 4,804 passing yards, and in 2019 and 2020 he recorded a passer rating above 100. So, it's safe to say Derek Carr is at the peak of his career right now.
9 Cam Newton (32,382 Yards)
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Cam Newton was the first overall pick in the 2011 draft, and, despite not winning any championships yet, he has arguably lived up to expectations. He was named the AP MVP of the 2015 season, and he is a three-time Pro Bowler. However, his career has plummeted since his injury in 2019. Newton has 32,382 passing yards, though he has only had one season with over 4,000 yards. Obviously, Newton would have more passing yards if it weren't for the fact that he is one of the best running quarterbacks of all time.
8 Kirk Cousins (32,593 Yards)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has 32,593 passing yards in his 10-year career, although it's worth noting that he was a starter in seven of them, and in six seasons he has had more than 4,000 yards. Cousins has an excellent 98.6 career rating, with 66.9% pass completions and 7.7 yards per pass attempt. Kirk Cousins has had a great career, but he needs accomplishments, both collectively and individually.
7 Andy Dalton (35,279 Yards)
Andy Dalton has never been an outstanding quarterback by any means, but he has been consistent since debuting in the 2011 season. Dalton has accumulated 35,279 passing yards in his career, with his best campaign coming in 2013, when he threw for 4,293 yards. Dalton's decline has been noticeable in recent years, as he had just 1,515 yards in eight games in 2021, with a 76.9 rating, but Dalton still signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints recently.
6 Russell Wilson (37,059 Yards)
Russell Wilson could be considered one of the greatest draft steals of all time, as the Seattle Seahawks selected him in the third round (75th pick overall) of the 2012 draft. To the surprise of all and sundry, Wilson led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win, and has had an outstanding career.
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In 10 NFL seasons, Wilson has 37,059 passing yards, with 292 touchdown passes and a 101.8 passer rating. Denver Broncos fans are surely excited to have Russell Wilson on their team.
5 Joe Flacco (41,269 Yards)
In 14 NFL seasons, Joe Flacco has accumulated 41,269 passing yards, with 61.7% pass completions, 227 touchdown passes and a rating of 84.2. Flacco had a great start to his career with the Baltimore Ravens, even winning Super Bowl XLVII, with an impressive performance in those playoffs. However, Joe Flacco was never among the best quarterbacks in the league, never led the league in any category, never went to a Pro Bowl and, after getting that ring, his skills deteriorated quickly.
4 Matthew Stafford (49,995 Yards)
Matthew Stafford spent most of his career squandering his talents on the Detroit Lions, a team that has never known competitiveness. But as soon as Stafford left Detroit, he achieved eternal glory, winning the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. What a great story.
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Stafford is one of only nine quarterbacks with 5,000 passing yards in a single season, and he's also had nine 4,000-yard seasons. So, it's no wonder Matthew Stafford is among the active NFL quarterbacks with the most passing yards.
3 Aaron Rodgers (55,360 Yards)
Aaron Rodgers has been at an inhuman level over the past two seasons, which is precisely why he is one of only four players to have won back-to-back AP MVP awards. In those last two seasons Rodgers recorded 8,414 yards, for a career total of 55,360. On top of that, Rodgers has a career QB rating of 104.5, with 449 touchdown passes. Aaron Rodgers is definitely one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
2 Matt Ryan (59,735 Yards)
Matt Ryan has had a HOF-worthy career, certainly he has not been able to win a Super Bowl game, but he put body and soul into trying to win it with the Atlanta Falcons time and time again, and came very close to doing so, but Tom Brady and the New England Patriots spoiled the party. In 14 years, Ryan has racked up 59,735 passing yards, with a pass completion percentage of 65.5, 367 touchdown passes and a 94.2 passer rating.
1 Tom Brady (84,520 Yards)
Tom Brady has almost 25,000 more yards than his closest competitor, which is absolutely insane, but are we surprised? Well, we are talking about the greatest quarterback of all time. No need to describe how Tom Brady became the all-time leader in passing yards, because this guy is ageless and has been playing at a superlative level for over 20 years. How can you have a 5,000-yard season at the age of 44? It's only possible if your name is Tom Brady.
