Most Career Passing Yards by a Detroit Lions Player

The Lions haven’t always been a quarterback factory — but they’ve had some serious arm talent. Matthew Stafford leads by a mile with his cannon and toughness, while legends like Bobby Layne defined the early era of Detroit dominance. Jared Goff is still writing his chapter, and the rest of the list is a fascinating mix of potential, production, and what-ifs.

TOP 10 LIST

10. Charlie Batch – 9,016 Yards
Batch was a steady starter in the late ’90s and early 2000s, providing a calm presence before injuries cut his time short. He later carved out a long NFL career as a reliable backup.

9. Jon Kitna – 9,034 Yards
Kitna stepped into a rough situation and gave the Lions everything he had. Gritty and unfiltered, he delivered back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons in a losing era.

8. Joey Harrington – 10,242 Yards
A top-3 draft pick who never quite reached his potential, Harrington still managed over 10,000 yards thanks to multiple full seasons as the starter. Detroit’s struggles didn’t help his development.

7. Eric Hipple – 10,711 Yards
Hipple was a longtime starter in the 1980s and flashed serious talent when healthy. He was a fan favorite and a key part of some underrated Lions offenses.

6. Gary Danielson – 11,885 Yards
Known as a tough, old-school leader, Danielson kept the Lions competitive through the late ’70s and early ’80s. He now brings that same insight to NFL broadcasts.

5. Greg Landry – 12,451 Yards
Landry was a dual-threat before it was cool. In the ’70s, he was Detroit’s top offensive weapon and made a Pro Bowl while leading the team in both passing and rushing at times.

4. Scott Mitchell – 12,647 Yards
Mitchell had one monster year in 1995, throwing for 4,338 yards with Herman Moore and Brett Perriman. His Lions career was up and down, but that season was unforgettable.

3. Bobby Layne – 15,710 Yards
A Hall of Famer and the heart of Detroit’s championship runs in the 1950s, Layne’s toughness and leadership were legendary. He’s still one of the greatest QBs in franchise history.

2. Jared Goff – 16,887 Yards
Goff was seen as a bridge when he arrived — now he’s rewriting expectations. He’s already second all-time and leading the Lions to playoff contention. The comeback is real.

1. Matthew Stafford – 45,109 Yards
An absolute warrior. Stafford gave Detroit everything he had over 12 seasons — breaking records, battling injuries, and delivering unforgettable comebacks. His place at the top isn’t just about stats — it’s about legacy.

Ranking the 10 best single-game passing yard performances in Detroit Lions history

Top 50 Single-Game Passing Performances in Lions History

This chart shows every Lions player to record 300+ passing yards in a single game, including stars like Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, and Scott Mitchell.

Matthew Stafford’s dominance in Detroit isn’t going anywhere — but Jared Goff is closing the gap fast. While the Lions’ QB history is full of unfulfilled potential, the franchise finally seems to be turning the page. If Goff keeps this up, we may see a new name at No. 1 sooner than expected.

FAQ SECTION

Who holds the Lions record for most career passing yards?
Matthew Stafford is the Lions’ all-time leader with 45,109 passing yards.

Is Jared Goff moving up fast?
Yes — Goff already ranks second with 16,887 yards and continues to climb.

Are any Hall of Famers on the list?
Yes — Bobby Layne, who led Detroit to multiple championships, is enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

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