Highest Single-Season Passing Yards: The highest single-season passing yards record is held by Peyton Manning, who threw for 5,477 yards in 2013 with the Denver Broncos, surpassing the previous record by just one yard.
Key Takeaways
- Peyton Manning holds the record with 5,477 passing yards in 2013.
- Drew Brees appears three times in the top 10 list.
- All top 10 performances occurred after 2011, except for Dan Marino’s 1984 season.
- Seven different quarterbacks are represented in the list.
- The New Orleans Saints have the most entries with three.
The NFL has seen a dramatic increase in passing yards over the past decade, with quarterbacks shattering previous records. Let’s examine the top 10 single-season passing yard performances in league history, analyzing the factors that contributed to these remarkable achievements.
#1 Peyton Manning (2013) – 5,477 yards
In his first season with the Denver Broncos, Manning set the all-time record for passing yards. The future Hall of Famer led a high-powered offense featuring receivers Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, and Wes Welker. Manning’s precision and ability to read defenses allowed him to exploit mismatches consistently throughout the season.
#2 Drew Brees (2011) – 5,476 yards
Brees fell just one yard short of Manning’s record in this stellar campaign. The New Orleans Saints’ quarterback thrived in head coach Sean Payton’s aggressive offensive system, utilizing weapons like Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston, and Darren Sproles to rack up yardage.
#3 Tom Brady (2021) – 5,316 yards
At age 44, Brady proved he still had plenty left in the tank. Leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ “no risk it, no biscuit” offense under Bruce Arians, Brady took full advantage of a talented receiving corps that included Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rob Gronkowski.
#4 Patrick Mahomes (2022) – 5,250 yards
Mahomes showcased his otherworldly arm talent and improvisational skills in this record-setting season. Despite losing Tyreek Hill, the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback found success spreading the ball around to Travis Kelce, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
#5 Drew Brees (2016) – 5,208 yards
Brees makes his second appearance on the list with another prolific season. The Saints’ offense continued to emphasize the passing game, with Brees finding success targeting Michael Thomas, Brandin Cooks, and Willie Snead.
#6 Drew Brees (2012) – 5,177 yards
Completing the trifecta, Brees lands at number six. This season saw the quarterback continue his mastery of the Saints’ offense, spreading the ball to a variety of targets including Marques Colston, Lance Moore, and Jimmy Graham.
#7 Ben Roethlisberger (2018) – 5,129 yards
“Big Ben” had a career year in Pittsburgh, benefiting from the talents of Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Roethlisberger’s ability to extend plays and throw accurately downfield contributed to his impressive yardage total.
#8 Jameis Winston (2019) – 5,109 yards
Winston’s season was a true roller coaster, as he became the first quarterback to throw for 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. Playing in Bruce Arians’ aggressive system with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Winston showcased his arm strength while targeting Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
#9 Patrick Mahomes (2018) – 5,097 yards
In his first full season as a starter, Mahomes took the league by storm. His combination of arm strength, creativity, and playmaking ability allowed him to rack up yardage while connecting with Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Sammy Watkins.
#10 Dan Marino (1984) – 5,084 yards
The lone pre-2011 entry on this list, Marino’s 1984 campaign was truly ahead of its time. In just his second NFL season, the Miami Dolphins quarterback shattered existing passing records. Marino’s quick release and accuracy allowed him to find success in an era when passing numbers were significantly lower than today.
Factors Contributing to Increased Passing Yards
Several elements have played a role in the explosion of passing yards in recent years:
Rule Changes: The NFL has implemented various rules to protect quarterbacks and receivers, making it easier to pass the ball effectively.
Offensive Evolution: Teams have embraced spread concepts and more aggressive passing schemes, leading to increased opportunities for quarterbacks.
Improved Training: Quarterbacks now have access to advanced training techniques and technology, allowing them to refine their skills more effectively.
Talented Receivers: The influx of skilled pass-catchers from the college ranks has given quarterbacks more weapons to utilize.
Analytics: Teams are increasingly using data to inform their decision-making, often leading to more pass-heavy approaches.
As the NFL continues to evolve, it’s likely we’ll see more quarterbacks challenge these impressive yardage totals in the coming years. The question remains: who will be the next to join this elite group of passers?
FAQs
Who Has The Most Passing Yards In A Single Season Ever?
Peyton Manning holds the record for most passing yards in a single season with 5,477 yards in 2013 for the Denver Broncos.
Who Has The Most Total Yards Single Season?
Drew Brees achieved the most total yards in a single season with 7,042 yards (5,476 passing, 1,566 rushing) in 2011 for the New Orleans Saints.
Who Has The Most Passing Yards Single Post Season?
Eli Manning has the most passing yards in a single postseason with 1,219 yards during the 2011 playoffs, leading the New York Giants to a Super Bowl victory.
Who Is Number 1 In Passing Yards?
Tom Brady currently leads all NFL players in career passing yards with 89,214 yards as of the end of the 2022 season.
Who Has The Longest Career Passing Yards?
Tom Brady also holds the record for longest career passing yards, accumulating 89,214 yards over his 23-year NFL career.
Who Has Had A 2,000-Yard Season?
Eight running backs have achieved 2,000-yard rushing seasons, with Derrick Henry being the most recent in 2020, rushing for 2,027 yards for the Tennessee Titans.
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