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 National Football League. Eight different quarterbacks have accomplished the feat, Dan Marino was the first when he set an NFL record with 5,084 yards passing in 1984. Marino's record remained intact for 24 years, and for over a decade after his 1999 retirement. Peyton Manning currently holds the record with 5,477 passing yards in 2013, with Drew Brees being exactly one yard short of this mark. Drew Brees is the only NFL quarterback to reach 5,000 yards more than once, having done so five times.
In 2011 three different players, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Matt Stafford 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 12 times. However, only two of these quarterbacks also threw for 50 touchdowns in the same season, Peyton Manning in 2013 and Patrick Mahomes in 2018. Despite the rarity of a 5,000 yard season, only three quarterbacks were named MVP the year of their 5,000 season, Marino, Manning, and Mahomes. Matt Stafford, Ben Roethlisberger, and Jameis Winston are the only quarterbacks to not be selected to the Pro Bowl the same year of their 5,000 season. Jameis Winston accomplished this feat most recently, passing for over 5,000 yards in 2019.

NFL players with 5,000 passing yards in a season

QuarterbackTeamPassing yardsRegular SeasonNotes
Dan Marino*Miami Dolphins5,08419841st in NFL history, youngest to achieve 5,000 yards, NFL MVP
Drew BreesNew Orleans Saints5,0692008Offensive Player of the Year
Drew BreesNew Orleans Saints5,47620112nd 5,000-yard season, Offensive Player of the Year
Tom BradyNew England Patriots5,2352011
Matthew StaffordDetroit Lions5,0382011Comeback Player of the Year
Drew BreesNew Orleans Saints5,17720123rd 5,000-yard season, 2nd consecutive
Peyton Manning*Denver Broncos5,4772013NFL record, NFL MVP
Drew BreesNew Orleans Saints5,16220134th 5,000-yard season, 3rd consecutive
Drew BreesNew Orleans Saints5,20820165th 5,000-yard season
Ben RoethlisbergerPittsburgh Steelers5,1292018
Patrick Mahomes*Kansas City Chiefs5,0972018NFL MVP
Jameis WinstonTampa Bay Buccaneers5,1092019

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 14-game era, only Joe Namath passed for over 4,000 yards in a season with 4,007 yards passing in the 1967 AFL season. During the 1980s and 1990s, 4,000 yards became the standard for the league leaders in the NFL. Over the last decade, 4,000 yards has become almost commonplace in the NFL. In the 2016 season alone, 13 quarterbacks passed for over 4,000 yards. Peyton Manning has had the most 4,000 yard seasons.