Highest Passer Rating in NFL History – All-Time Career Leaders

Breaking down the most efficient quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL

When it comes to quarterback greatness, raw yardage and touchdowns tell part of the story — but passer rating reveals the full picture of efficiency. This list of the highest passer ratings in NFL history showcases the most accurate, consistent, and dangerous signal-callers to ever step on the field. From Aaron Rodgers’ pinpoint precision to Patrick Mahomes’ explosive playmaking, and Joe Burrow’s ice-cold composure, these QBs have mastered the art of maximizing every throw. Whether it’s seasoned legends like Drew Brees and Russell Wilson or modern stars like Tua Tagovailoa and Lamar Jackson, this leaderboard is stacked with names who made every pass count.

Table of Contents

• Top 10 Highest Passer Ratings in NFL History
• Full List: All-Time Career Passer Rating Leaders
• FAQ – Highest Passer Ratings in NFL History
• Conclusion – Passer Rating Leaders

Top 10 Highest Passer Ratings in NFL History

10. Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers) – 115.7 Passer Rating

14,289 yards • 94 touchdowns • 67.6% completion percentage
Garoppolo’s career has been defined by efficiency and poise under pressure. While injuries have slowed his momentum at times, his ability to execute Kyle Shanahan’s system with accuracy and decision-making has kept his passer rating among the NFL’s elite. When healthy, Jimmy G has proven to be one of the most reliable quarterbacks in terms of pure passing efficiency.

9. Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) – 116.3 Passer Rating

12,639 yards • 81 touchdowns • 68.0% completion percentage
Tua’s sharp rise up this list comes from his deadly accuracy and quick release. In Mike McDaniel’s offense, Tagovailoa has maximized his strengths — getting the ball to playmakers like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in stride. His efficiency numbers are among the best in NFL history, and he’s only scratching the surface.

8. Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) – 117.1 Passer Rating

29,459 yards • 202 touchdowns • 67.0% completion percentage
Prescott’s blend of athleticism, decision-making, and leadership has helped him consistently post elite efficiency numbers. Even when the Cowboys’ roster has fluctuated, Dak has kept his completion percentage and passer rating near the top of the league. His ability to limit turnovers while delivering explosive plays is key to his success.

7. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) – 117.2 Passer Rating

80,358 yards • 571 touchdowns • 67.7% completion percentage
A master of timing and precision, Brees was the gold standard for accuracy throughout his career. His connection with receivers like Michael Thomas and Marques Colston helped him dominate defenses year after year. Brees’ ability to read defenses pre-snap and deliver pinpoint throws kept his passer rating among the best in history.

6. Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans) – 117.5 Passer Rating

14,539 yards • 104 touchdowns • 67.3% completion percentage
Watson’s combination of mobility, arm strength, and accuracy makes him a nightmare for defenses. Even during rebuilding years in Houston, he managed to put up elite passing numbers. His knack for extending plays and hitting big shots downfield has been a major factor in his high passer rating.

5. Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) – 119.2 Passer Rating

46,420 yards • 308 touchdowns • 65.0% completion percentage
Wilson built his career on improvisation and deep-ball accuracy. At his peak in Seattle, his moonshot passes to Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf were unmatched in the league. His ability to avoid turnovers and stay efficient even in chaos is what puts him this high on the list.

4. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) – 119.6 Passer Rating

14,083 yards • 97 touchdowns • 68.0% completion percentage
Burrow’s rise to the top tier of NFL quarterbacks has been swift and decisive. With elite accuracy, pocket awareness, and chemistry with Ja’Marr Chase, he has quickly become one of the most efficient passers in football. His poise in high-pressure situations keeps his rating sky-high.

3. Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) – 121.1 Passer Rating

15,887 yards • 125 touchdowns • 64.5% completion percentage
Jackson’s dual-threat ability makes him uniquely dangerous. Defenses must respect his running, which opens passing lanes he exploits with deadly efficiency. While known for his legs, his improvement as a passer has placed him firmly among the all-time greats in passer rating.

2. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) – 121.5 Passer Rating

28,424 yards • 219 touchdowns • 66.5% completion percentage
Mahomes blends creativity, arm talent, and football IQ better than anyone in today’s NFL. Whether it’s sidearm lasers or no-look passes, he consistently delivers at an elite level. His rapport with Travis Kelce and ability to adapt to defenses have kept his passer rating among the highest ever.

1. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) – 122.5 Passer Rating

59,055 yards • 475 touchdowns • 65.3% completion percentage
Rodgers is the ultimate efficiency machine. His combination of precision, deep-ball accuracy, and turnover avoidance has made him the king of passer rating. Even late in his career, Rodgers continues to make impossible throws look routine, cementing his place at the very top of this list.

Top 10 all-time career leaders in passer rating, led by Aaron Rodgers with an incredible 122.5 rating.

Full List: All-Time Highest Passer Rating in NFL History

Tier list ranking of the highest career passer ratings in NFL history, featuring Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Russell Wilson, and more.

FAQ – Highest Passer Rating in NFL History

Who has the highest passer rating in NFL history?
Aaron Rodgers has a 102.6 career passer rating which is the highest in NFL history.

Who are the top active quarterbacks by passer rating?
From our list, the top active names include Aaron Rodgers (102.6), Patrick Mahomes (102.1), Lamar Jackson (102.0), and Joe Burrow (101.2).

What is the minimum attempt requirement for these rankings?
This leaderboard uses a 1,500 career pass attempts minimum to qualify.

What does passer rating measure?
Passer rating is an efficiency metric combining completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown rate, and interception rate into a single score on a 0–158.3 scale.

Does a higher passer rating always mean a better quarterback?
Not always. It’s a strong indicator of efficiency, but context matters—scheme, era, supporting cast, depth of target, and rushing value can all influence true performance.

Why do some Hall of Famers rank lower on passer rating?
Earlier eras featured more running and riskier downfield passing, which suppressed completion rates and increased interceptions. Modern offenses boost efficiency, raising ratings.

Who is the highest-rated quarterback without a Super Bowl win?
From this list, several high-rated QBs (e.g., Lamar Jackson, Philip Rivers during his career) have elite ratings despite no Super Bowl title.

What is a “good” career passer rating?
In today’s NFL, 90+ is strong, 95–100 is elite, and 100+ is rare air reserved for the very best accuracy and decision-making over time.

Conclusion – Highest Passer Rating Leaders

When it comes to career passer rating, the numbers tell a story of accuracy, decision-making, and sustained excellence. Aaron Rodgers sits in a tier of his own — narrowly edging out Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson — with efficiency that has redefined modern quarterback play. From Joe Burrow’s precision passing to Russell Wilson’s deep-ball mastery, every name on this list showcases a unique style of offensive dominance.

As the NFL continues to evolve into a more pass-heavy league, we may see new challengers rise to the top. But cracking the 100.0 passer rating barrier — let alone maintaining it over a career — remains one of the most difficult achievements in football.

For more all-time leaderboards, tier lists, and deep dives into NFL history, explore our full rankings here on SOG Sports.

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