Who Holds the All-Time Record for Touchdowns in NFL History?
The Most Prolific Touchdown Scorers in NFL History
Football enthusiasts know that while statistics abound in the NFL, touchdowns are the measure that truly matters. As the 2024 season kicks off—with fans and bettors expected to wager billions on games—the question arises: Who are the quarterbacks with the most touchdowns ever? This comprehensive roundup spotlights the top 10 touchdown leaders and highlights those who delivered in the game’s biggest stage: the Super Bowl.
Understanding the Touchdown Rankings
All of the NFL’s top 10 all-time touchdown scorers are quarterbacks, who dominate this crucial stat on the field. While Jerry Rice, a legendary wide receiver, sits just outside the quarterback-dominated leaderboard with 208 total career touchdowns, the figures below refer exclusively to regular-season games.
Top 10 Quarterbacks by Career Touchdowns (Regular Season)
– All totals combine both passing and rushing touchdowns, underscoring the versatility and endurance required to join this elite group.
#10 Eli Manning (2004–2019): 373 Touchdowns
Eli Manning, a former number-one draft pick and two-time Super Bowl winner, lands at tenth place with a career total of 373 touchdowns—366 via passing and 7 on the ground. Over 16 seasons and 57,023 yards, his place among the NFL’s most productive quarterbacks is well-earned.
#9 Matt Ryan (2008–Present): 394 Touchdowns
Matt Ryan, the 2016 league MVP, has carved out a stellar career with 394 career touchdowns—381 passing and 13 rushing—despite missing out on a Super Bowl title. He remains recognized for his consistent production at quarterback.
#8 Dan Marino (1983–1999): 429 Touchdowns
Miami Dolphins icon Dan Marino, though not a Super Bowl champion, set numerous records over his 17-year career. Upon retirement, he tallied 429 touchdowns—420 passing and 9 rushing—though some of his records have since been surpassed by younger stars.
#7 Philip Rivers (2004–2020): 424 Touchdowns
Famous for his durability and long streak of consecutive starts, Philip Rivers amassed 424 touchdowns over his career—421 by air and 3 by rushing. This achievement is especially impressive given his family commitments off the field.
#6 Ben Roethlisberger (2004–2021): 438 Touchdowns
“Big Ben” spent his entire distinguished career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, earning two Super Bowl rings. He finished with 438 total touchdowns—418 passing and 20 rushing—underscoring his place in Steelers history.
#5 Aaron Rodgers (2005–Present): 510 Touchdowns
Aaron Rodgers’ tenure with the Green Bay Packers brought him a Super Bowl win, a Super Bowl MVP honor, and four league MVP awards. With 510 touchdowns (475 passing, 35 rushing) as of now—and still active—Rodgers could climb even higher in this ranking.
#4 Brett Favre (1991–2010): 522 Touchdowns
A Green Bay icon, Brett Favre logged two decades in the NFL and achieved 522 touchdowns (508 passing, 14 rushing). His legendary longevity and leadership made him one of football’s most durable stars.
#3 Peyton Manning (1998–2015): 557 Touchdowns
The Manning family legacy is exemplified by Peyton Manning, who racked up 557 total touchdowns—539 passing and 18 rushing—along with two Super Bowl victories. His highly cerebral play set new standards in quarterback excellence.
#2 Drew Brees (2001–2020): 596 Touchdowns
Drew Brees, revered by New Orleans fans, played for 20 seasons, leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns multiple times. He concluded his career with 596 touchdowns—571 passing and 25 rushing—and a Super Bowl XLIV title.
#1 Tom Brady (2000–2023): 677 Touchdowns
Unquestionably the NFL’s all-time touchdown leader, Tom Brady shattered records across his 23-year career—registering 677 touchdowns, comprised of 649 passing and 28 rushing. His seven Super Bowl championships and career longevity—especially as a former sixth-round draft pick—set him far apart from every other quarterback in history.
Super Bowl Legends: Most Career Touchdowns in the NFL’s Biggest Game
When it comes to Super Bowl touchdowns, quarterbacks again dominate, though legendary non-quarterbacks have left their mark as well. Rob Gronkowski stands as the only tight end on this exclusive list, notching five touchdowns in Super Bowl appearances. Emmitt Smith, a running back icon, matched that total across just three championship games. Jerry Rice, widely regarded as the top wide receiver in history, recorded eight touchdowns in four Super Bowls.
No one, however, comes close to Tom Brady’s astonishing Super Bowl touchdown mark.
| Rank | Player | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|
| T-8 | Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Rob Gronkowski, Brett Favre | 5 |
| 7 | Steve Young | 6 |
| 6 | Kurt Warner | 6 |
| 5 | Roger Staubach | 8 |
| 4 | Jerry Rice | 8 |
| 3 | Terry Bradshaw | 9 |
| 2 | Joe Montana | 11 |
| 1 | Tom Brady | 21 |
Summary: The Enduring Value of Touchdowns in the NFL
Ranking touchdown leaders shines a spotlight on the quarterbacks who have shaped NFL history through longevity, talent, and championship-caliber performances. From Philip Rivers’ impressive consistency to Tom Brady’s seemingly unmatchable numbers, these athletes have each made an indelible impact on the sport. As the game evolves and new records are pursued, these names will remain benchmarks for generations to come.
