NFL Single-Season Passing First Downs Record Progression
Every season that raised the bar, and the leader in every season between.
The NFL single-season passing first downs record is 289, set by Peyton Manning in 2013. It has stood for 12 years. The mark has been raised 6 times since 1999.
Record Holders
7 marks since 1999| Year | Player | 1D | Stood for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 |
 Peyton Manning
|
289 | still standing |
| 2011 |
 Drew Brees
|
280 | 2 years |
| 2010 |
Peyton Manning
|
253 | 1 year |
| 2006 |
Peyton Manning
|
241 | 4 years |
| 2001 |
 Kurt Warner
|
233 | 5 years |
| 2000 |
Peyton Manning
|
213 | 1 year |
| 1999 |
 Steve Beuerlein
|
208 | 1 year |
The earliest marks here are records only in the sense that nobody had done better yet. Season length, schedule and the rules themselves have all changed, so a figure from the 1870s is not comparable with a modern one and is not offered as though it were.
Every Season
27 seasons| Year | Leader | 1D | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Matthew Stafford | 236 | |
| 2024 | Joe Burrow | 253 | |
| 2023 | Jared Goff | 227 | |
| 2022 | Patrick Mahomes | 272 | |
| 2021 | Tom Brady | 269 | |
| 2020 | Matt Ryan | 242 | |
| 2019 | Jameis Winston | 243 | |
| 2018 | Ben Roethlisberger | 248 | |
| 2017 | Tom Brady | 230 | |
| 2016 | Drew Brees | 264 | |
| 2015 | Carson Palmer | 231 | |
| 2014 | Drew Brees | 258 | |
| 2013 | Peyton Manning | 289 | new record |
| 2012 | Drew Brees | 266 | |
| 2011 | Drew Brees | 280 | new record |
| 2010 | Peyton Manning | 253 | new record |
| 2009 | Peyton Manning | 237 | |
| 2008 | Drew Brees | 232 | |
| 2007 | Tom Brady | 240 | |
| 2006 | Peyton Manning | 241 | new record |
| 2005 | Brett Favre | 202 | |
| 2004 | Peyton Manning | 232 | |
| 2003 | Peyton Manning | 210 | |
| 2002 | Rich Gannon | 226 | |
| 2001 | Kurt Warner | 233 | new record |
| 2000 | Peyton Manning | 213 | new record |
| 1999 | Steve Beuerlein | 208 | new record |