NFL All-Time Passing Touchdown Leaders

Top 25 career passing touchdowns leaders (regular season only)

Rank Player Pass TDs Games TD/Game Years Active Teams
1 Tom Brady 649 335 1.94 2000–2022 NE, TB
2 Drew Brees 571 287 1.99 2001–2020 SD, NO
3 Peyton Manning 539 266 2.03 1998–2015 IND, DEN
4 Brett Favre 508 302 1.68 1991–2010 ATL, GB, NYJ, MIN
5 Philip Rivers 421 240 1.75 2004–2020 SD/LAC, IND
6 Aaron Rodgers 475 261 1.82 2005–present GB, NYJ
7 Dan Marino 420 242 1.74 1983–1999 MIA
8 Fran Tarkenton 342 246 1.39 1961–1978 MIN, NYG
9 John Elway 300 234 1.28 1983–1998 DEN
10 Ben Roethlisberger 418 240 1.74 2004–2021 PIT
11 Matt Ryan 367 268 1.37 2008–2022 ATL, IND
12 Patrick Mahomes 275 116 2.37 2017–present KC
13 Joe Montana 273 192 1.42 1979–1994 SF, KC
14 Warren Moon 291 208 1.40 1984–2000 HOU, MIN, SEA, KC, SF
15 Vinny Testaverde 275 223 1.23 1987–2007 Multiple
16 Steve McNair 174 175 0.99 1995–2007 HOU/TEN, BAL
17 Eli Manning 366 236 1.55 2004–2019 NYG
18 Steve Young 232 169 1.37 1985–1999 TB, SF
19 Tony Romo 248 135 1.84 2003–2016 DAL
20 Russell Wilson 292 181 1.61 2012–present SEA, DEN, PIT
21 Matthew Stafford 292 213 1.37 2009–present DET, LAR
22 Cam Newton 182 142 1.28 2011–2021 CAR, NE
23 Jim Kelly 237 160 1.48 1986–1996 BUF
24 Troy Aikman 165 165 1.00 1989–2000 DAL
25 Kirk Cousins 232 162 1.43 2012–present WAS, MIN, ATL
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Frequently Asked Questions

Who has thrown the most touchdown passes in NFL history?

Tom Brady holds the NFL record for most career passing touchdowns with 649 regular season TDs over his 23-year career with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He surpassed Drew Brees' previous record of 571 TDs during the 2021 season.

What is the NFL record for most touchdown passes in a single season?

Peyton Manning set the NFL single-season record with 55 touchdown passes during the 2013 season with the Denver Broncos. This broke the previous record of 50 TDs set by Tom Brady in 2007. Patrick Mahomes tied Brady's 50-TD mark in 2018.

How many touchdown passes did Drew Brees throw in his career?

Drew Brees threw 571 career touchdown passes over 20 seasons with the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints, making him second all-time behind Tom Brady. Brees held the all-time record briefly before Brady surpassed it in 2021.

Who are the active leaders in career passing touchdowns?

Among active quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes leads with over 275 career touchdown passes through 2024 and is considered the most likely to challenge Brady's all-time record given his age and pace. Aaron Rodgers is also an active player with over 475 career TDs.