Most Career Passing Yards by a Buffalo Bills Player

Jim Kelly defined the standard — but Josh Allen is closing the gap fast

by SOG Sports

Most Career Passing Yards by a Buffalo Bills Player

Buffalo hasn’t always been a quarterback factory, but when they get it right, they get it really right. Jim Kelly set the standard during the Bills’ four straight Super Bowl appearances, and now Josh Allen is charging up the charts with highlight-reel throws and record-breaking production. This list blends legends, underdogs, and a few surprises from the past five decades.


TOP 10 LIST

10. J.P. Losman – 6,211 Yards
Drafted to be the franchise QB in the 2000s, Losman never quite hit that ceiling — but he did rack up enough yards to sneak into the top 10.

9. Dennis Shaw – 6,286 Yards
Shaw was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1970 and started for several seasons, putting up respectable numbers during a rebuilding era for the Bills.

8. Doug Flutie – 7,582 Yards
The ultimate wildcard, Flutie brought energy and chaos to Buffalo in the late ’90s. His “Flutie Magic” was real, even if his time as a starter was short-lived.

7. Tyrod Taylor – 8,857 Yards
Taylor was efficient and protected the ball, ending Buffalo’s 17-year playoff drought in 2017. His mobility and game management made him a steady contributor.

6. Drew Bledsoe – 10,151 Yards
After leaving New England, Bledsoe brought his cannon arm to Buffalo and put up three strong seasons. He remains one of the more prolific QBs in Bills history.

5. Ryan Fitzpatrick – 11,654 Yards
“Fitzmagic” was born in Buffalo. The bearded gunslinger had his ups and downs but lit up defenses with fearless throws and a Harvard-level football IQ.

4. Jack Kemp – 15,134 Yards
A championship-winning QB in the AFL days, Kemp was a true leader for the Bills in the 1960s. His legacy includes both titles and political office.

3. Josh Allen – 26,434 Yards
Already third all-time, Allen’s rocket arm and running ability make him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league. At this pace, it’s not a matter of if he’ll break the record — but when.

2. Joe Ferguson – 27,590 Yards
Ferguson was a workhorse for the Bills in the ’70s and ’80s, often carrying the offensive load through thick and thin. He held the record for decades before Allen came knocking.

1. Jim Kelly – 35,467 Yards
The face of the franchise during its most successful era, Kelly led Buffalo to four straight Super Bowls and posted huge numbers along the way. A Hall of Famer and true icon.

 

Top 10 most career passing yards by a Buffalo Bills player

Ranking the 10 best single-game passing yard performances in Buffalo Bills history


Top 50 Single-Game Passing Performances in Bills History

This chart shows every Bills player to record 250+ passing yards in a single game, including stars like Josh Allen, Jim Kelly, and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

RankPlayer NamePassing Yards
1Jim Kelly35467
2Joe Ferguson27590
3Josh Allen26434
4Jack Kemp15134
5Ryan Fitzpatrick11654
6Drew Bledsoe10151
7Tyrod Taylor8857
8Doug Flutie7582
9Dennis Shaw6286
10J.P. Losman6211
11Trent Edwards5739
12Rob Johnson4798
13EJ Manuel3502
14Todd Collins3218
15Kyle Orton3018
16Alex Van Pelt2985
17Frank Reich2540
18Daryle Lamonica2499
19Johnny Green2170
20Warren Rabb1782
21Vince Ferragamo1677
22Bruce Mathison1635
23Kelly Holcomb1509
24Gary Marangi1373
25Dan Darragh1353
26James Harris1120
27Thaddeus Lewis1092
28Tommy O’Connell1044
29M.C. Reynolds1004
30Matt Kofler872
31Joe Dufek829
32Matt Barkley788
33Richie Lucas596
34Nathan Peterman548
35Derek Anderson465
36Ed Rutkowski380
37Kay Stephenson364
38Travis Brown361
39Bill Munson359
40Al Dorow333
41Jeff Tuel309
42Tom Flores291
43Brian Brohm252
44Mitchell Trubisky222
45Brian McClure181
46Mike Taliaferro176
47Willie Totten155
48Billy Joe Hobert133
49Dan Manucci132
50O.J. Simpson110

Jim Kelly’s legacy is unmatched — for now. Josh Allen is already within striking distance and looks poised to take over the throne sooner rather than later. The rest of the list reminds us that Buffalo has had flashes of brilliance under center, but it’s the stars like Kelly and Allen who make lasting impacts.


FAQ SECTION

Who holds the Bills record for most career passing yards?
Jim Kelly holds the record with 35,467 passing yards.

Is Josh Allen close to breaking the record?
Yes — Allen already has 26,434 yards and could surpass Kelly within a few seasons.

Are any Hall of Famers on this list?
Yes — Jim Kelly is a Hall of Famer and one of the most iconic quarterbacks in NFL history.

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