Most Career Passing Yards by a Dallas Cowboys Player

From Staubach to Romo to Dak — the legends (and surprises) of Cowboys quarterback history

by SOG Sports

Most Career Passing Yards by a Dallas Cowboys Player

The Dallas Cowboys are one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises — and their quarterback history is just as legendary. From Super Bowl champs like Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach to the stat kings Tony Romo and Dak Prescott, the top of this list is stacked. But even deeper down, you’ll find the names that helped shape “America’s Team” across the decades.


TOP 10 LIST

10. Eddie LeBaron – 5,331 Yards
LeBaron was the Cowboys’ original QB in their early 1960s seasons. Undersized but fearless, he helped lay the foundation for what the franchise would become.

9. Quincy Carter – 5,839 Yards
Carter was part of the Cowboys’ early 2000s rebuild. He started 31 games in three seasons and helped lead the team to a surprise playoff appearance in 2003.

8. Steve Pelluer – 6,555 Yards
Pelluer started in the mid-to-late ’80s, splitting time with Danny White as the Cowboys navigated a post-Staubach identity. He had a big arm but limited results.

7. Craig Morton – 10,279 Yards
Morton was Staubach’s main competition in the early ’70s. He helped lead the team to a Super Bowl but eventually gave way to Staubach’s legendary rise.

6. Don Meredith – 17,199 Yards
One of the Cowboys’ earliest stars, Meredith was a fan favorite thanks to his big arm and bigger personality. He led Dallas to multiple playoff appearances in the 1960s.

5. Danny White – 21,959 Yards
White took over after Staubach and guided the Cowboys to three straight NFC Championship games. He was often overshadowed but ranks among the franchise’s most productive QBs.

4. Roger Staubach – 22,700 Yards
Staubach is one of the most iconic Cowboys ever — a Heisman winner, two-time Super Bowl champ, and Hall of Famer. His blend of poise, toughness, and clutch play made him a Dallas legend.

3. Dak Prescott – 31,437 Yards
Still active and climbing, Dak has been the face of the franchise since 2016. With elite production and leadership, he’s already third all-time — and still chasing more.

2. Troy Aikman – 32,942 Yards
Aikman was the QB of the 1990s dynasty, winning three Super Bowls and earning a Hall of Fame nod. While his numbers don’t jump off the page today, his efficiency and leadership were elite.

1. Tony Romo – 34,183 Yards
Undrafted and underestimated, Romo turned into one of the most productive quarterbacks in NFL history. Though he never won a Super Bowl, his numbers speak for themselves — and he remains the Cowboys’ all-time passing leader.

Top 10 most career passing yards by a Dallas Cowboys player

Ranking the 10 best single-game passing yard performances in Dallas Cowboys history


Top 50 Single-Game Passing Performances in Cowboys History

This chart shows every Cowboys player to record 300+ passing yards in a single game, including stars like Tony Romo, Dak Prescott, and Don Meredith.

RankPlayer NamePassing Yards
1Tony Romo34183
2Troy Aikman32942
3Dak Prescott31437
4Roger Staubach22700
5Danny White21959
6Don Meredith17199
7Craig Morton10279
8Steve Pelluer6555
9Quincy Carter5839
10Eddie LeBaron5331
11Drew Bledsoe4803
12Gary Hogeboom3550
13Vinny Testaverde3532
14Cooper Rush3463
15Jon Kitna2452
16Andy Dalton2170
17Jason Garrett2042
18Chad Hutchinson1563
19Steve Walsh1411
20Matt Cassel1276
21Steve Beuerlein1061
22Brandon Weeden1041
23Randall Cunningham849
24Kellen Moore779
25Anthony Wright766
26Kevin Sweeney605
27Wade Wilson585
28Brad Johnson506
29Jerry Rhome496
30Ryan Leaf494
31Kyle Orton487
32Rodney Peete470
33Stephen McGee420
34Bernie Kosar410
35Don Heinrich371
36Dan Reeves370
37Clint Stoerner367
38John Roach349
39Clint Longley311
40Glenn Carano304
41Babe Laufenberg279
42Trey Lance266
43Garrett Gilbert243
44Ben DiNucci219
45Calvin Hill204
46Drew Pearson192
47Cedrick Wilson Jr.111
48Reggie Collier96
49Mark Sanchez93
50Drew Henson78

The Cowboys’ QB legacy reads like a Hall of Fame roll call — but it’s Tony Romo, not Aikman or Staubach, who sits atop the passing leaderboard. Dak Prescott is right behind them and could take over the top spot in the coming years. With history, hardware, and high expectations, playing quarterback in Dallas is a spotlight few can handle — but these 10 left their mark.


FAQ SECTION

Who holds the Cowboys record for most career passing yards?
Tony Romo leads all Dallas quarterbacks with 34,183 passing yards.

Is Dak Prescott close to breaking the record?
Yes — Dak Prescott is third with 31,437 yards and still active, likely to pass Romo soon.

Are any Hall of Famers on the list?
Yes — both Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach are in the Hall of Fame and led the Cowboys to Super Bowl wins.

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