History of Football

4,000-yard passers

A record 10 different quarterbacks threw for 4,000 yards during the 2009 NFL Regular Season. Leading the way was Houston Texans QB Matt Shaub who threw for a league-high 4,770 yards. He was one of three quarterbacks, along with Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning, to reach the 4,000-yard mark for the time.

Most 4,000-yard passers
in a season
10 - 2009
7
– 2007
6 – 2008
5 – 1999, 2004, 2006
Roethlisberger became the first player in Pittsburgh Steelers history to throw for 4,000 yards while Manning is the third New York Giants quarterback to reach the mark.

Eli’s brother Peyton Manning extended his record number of 4,000-yards seasons to 10 as he finished second overall in passing yards in 2009 with 4,500 yards.

Brett Favre, at age 40, reached the 4,000-yard mark as a member of the Minnesota Vikings this season. It was Favre’s sixth year in which he has reached the milestone tying him with Dan Marino for second most all-time.

Prior to this season, the most 4,000-yards passers in one season was the seven QBs who reached the mark in 2007. Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath of the New York Jets was the first quarterback in pro football history to throw for 4,000 yards in a season when he accumulated 4,007 yards in 1967.

Overall, there have been 43 different quarterbacks who've passed for 4,000 yards in a season. The group has combined to do so 84 times.

QB Team
Year
Yards
Matt Schaub Texans 2009 4,770
Peyton Manning Colts 2009 4,500
Tony Romo Cowboys 2009 4,483
Aaron Rodgers Packers 2009 4,434
Tom Brady Patriots 2009 4,398
Drew Brees Saints 2009 4,388
Ben Roethlisberger Steelers 2009 4,328
Philip Rivers Chargers 2009 4,254
Brett Favre Vikings 2009 4,202
Eli Manning Giants 2009 4,021
Drew Brees Saints
2008
5,069
Kurt Warner Cardinals
2008
4,583
Jay Cutler Broncos
2008
4,526
Aaron Rodgers Packers
2008
4,038
Phillip Rivers Chargers
2008
4,009
Peyton Manning Colts
2008
4,002
Tom Brady Patriots
2007
4,806
Drew Brees Saints
2007
4,423
Tony Romo Cowboys
2007
4,211
Brett Favre Packers
2007
4,155
Carson Palmer Bengals
2007
4,131
Jon Kitna Lions
2007
4,068
Peyton Manning Colts
2007
4,040
Drew Brees Saints
2006
4,418
Peyton Manning Colts
2006
4,397
Marc Bulger Rams
2006
4,301
Jon Kitna Lions
2006
4,208
Carson Palmer Bengals
2006
4,035
Tom Brady Patriots
2005
4,110
Trent Green Chiefs
2005
4,014
Daunte Culpepper Vikings 2004 4,717
Trent Green Chiefs 2004 4,591
Peyton Manning Colts 2004 4,557
Jake Plummer Broncos 2004 4,089
Brett Favre Packers 2004 4,088
Peyton Manning Colts
2003
4,267
Trent Green Chiefs
2003
4,039
Rich Gannon Raiders
2002
4,689
Drew Bledsoe Bills
2002
4,359
Peyton Manning Colts
2002
4,200
Kerry Collins Giants
2002
4,073
Kurt Warner Rams
2001
4,830
Peyton Manning Colts
2001
4,131
Peyton Manning Colts
2000
4,413
Jeff Garcia 49ers
2000
4,278
Elvis Grbac Chiefs
2000
4,169
Steve Beuerlein Panthers
1999
4,436
Kurt Warner Rams
1999
4,353
Peyton Manning Colts
1999
4,135
Brett Favre Packers
1999
4,091
Brad Johnson Redskins
1999
4,005
Brett Favre Packers
1998
4,212
Steve Young 49ers
1998
4,170
Mark Brunell Jaguars
1996
4,367
Vinny Testaverde Ravens
1996
4,177
Drew Bledsoe Patriots
1996
4,086
Brett Favre Packers
1995
4,413
Scott Mitchell Lions
1995
4,338
Warren Moon Vikings
1995
4,228
Jeff George Falcons
1995
4,143
Drew Bledsoe Patriots
1994
4,555
Dan Marino Dolphins
1994
4,453
Warren Moon Vikings
1994
4,264
John Elway Broncos
1993
4,030
Steve Young 49ers
1993
4,023
Dan Marino Dolphins
1992
4,116
Warren Moon Oilers
1991
4,690
Warren Moon Oilers
1990
4,689
Don Majkowski Packers
1989
4,318
Jim Everett Rams
1989
4,310
Dan Marino Dolphins
1988
4,434
Dan Marino Dolphins
1986
4,746
Jay Schroeder Redskins
1986
4,109
Dan Marino Dolphins
1985
4,137
Dan Marino Dolphins
1984
5,084
Neil Lomax Cardinals
1984
4,614
Phil Simms Giants
1984
4,044
Lynn Dickey Packers
1983
4,458
Bill Kenney Chiefs
1983
4,348
Dan Fouts Chargers
1981
4,802
Dan Fouts Chargers
1980
4,715
Brian Sipe Browns
1980
4,132
Dan Fouts Chargers
1979
4,082
Joe Namath Jets
1967
4,007

 

4,000-Yard Seasons by QB | 4,000-Yard Seasons by Team


Related Link:
 Brees and Marino’s 5,000-yards seasons


Namath, Joe, New York Jets
Recent Comments
  • Brian - January 04 2010 11:55 PM

    Record 10 different QB's reaching the 4k mark. More proof that the Tom Brady Rule should be thrown out. Let Defense's play their game.

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