[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Because indoor football is played on a much shorter field and heavily favors offensive scoring, its records are not included in the main list, but are noted in a separate addendum below; likewise, as is standard for statistical record-keeping, exhibition games, all-star games (such as the Pro Bowl) and preseason contests are not counted.
During the 2021 NFL season, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady passed Drew Brees to become the all-time passing yards leader in professional football league history.
[11] Allen broke the previous record held by Warren Moon in 2006.
Unitas established the record set forth in this listing, while Aaron Rodgers is the leading active QB chasing Brady.
In the 2020 NFL season, Brady surpassed Brees for the all-time passing touchdowns record; Brees had surpassed Peyton Manning for the record the season before.
Ron Lancaster overtook Tarkenton's lead in the touchdown pass category during the 1977 CFL season.
Notes: For the purpose of this list, indoor American football statistics have been excluded.
While overall passing yards are not substantially greater in a given indoor football game compared to a CFL or NFL contest, the number of touchdowns in that form of the sport is far higher, and a list including them would invariably favor indoor football quarterbacks in the number of touchdowns thrown.