Most Career Passing Yards by a New England Patriots Player

When it comes to quarterback legacies, no team has a higher peak than the New England Patriots. With Tom Brady redefining greatness and hoisting six Lombardi trophies in Foxborough, the bar was set sky-high. But long before and after TB12, other passers helped build — and maintain — the standard in New England. Here are the top 10 Patriots quarterbacks by career passing yards.

TOP 10 LIST

10. Mike Taliaferro – 3,920 Yards
A key contributor during the AFL years, Taliaferro helped keep the early Patriots offense moving in the late 1960s.

9. Matt Cassel – 3,946 Yards
Cassel was a one-season wonder in 2008, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards after Brady’s injury and proving he could carry the offense.

8. Hugh Millen – 4,276 Yards
A gritty starter in the early ’90s, Millen gave the team a spark and piled up over 4,000 yards during a transitional era.

7. Mac Jones – 8,918 Yards
The post-Brady era hasn’t been easy, but Mac Jones climbed into the top 10 early in his career with over 8,900 yards and counting.

6. Jim Plunkett – 9,932 Yards
The No. 1 overall pick in 1971, Plunkett started his NFL journey in New England and delivered solid production before his eventual success in Oakland.

5. Tony Eason – 10,732 Yards
Eason quarterbacked the Patriots to a Super Bowl in the 1980s and threw for more than 10,000 yards in a productive tenure.

4. Babe Parilli – 16,747 Yards
Parilli starred in the 1960s AFL days, helping define the Patriots’ early identity as a pass-happy squad.

3. Steve Grogan – 26,886 Yards
Grogan was a model of toughness and consistency, starting for the Patriots across 16 seasons from the ’70s through the late ’80s.

2. Drew Bledsoe – 29,657 Yards
Before the dynasty began, Bledsoe was the franchise. His huge arm and leadership helped bring the Patriots back to respectability in the 1990s.

1. Tom Brady – 74,571 Yards
The GOAT. Brady’s career in New England included 74,000+ yards, six Super Bowls, three MVPs, and the greatest quarterback legacy the league has ever seen.

Ranking the 10 best career passing yard leaders in Patriots history

Top 50 Career Passing Performances in Patriots History

This chart covers every Patriots quarterback who threw for 48+ yards — from Super Bowl MVPs to one-game backups and even trick-play surprises.

Tom Brady’s numbers might never be touched, but the Patriots’ QB legacy is more than just one man. Drew Bledsoe carried the franchise through the ’90s, Grogan was a model of resilience, and even players like Matt Cassel and Mac Jones have made waves in Foxborough. As the post-Brady era unfolds, the quarterback position remains the most scrutinized — and storied — in New England.

FAQ Section

Who leads the Patriots in all-time passing yards?
Tom Brady tops the list with 74,571 passing yards during his legendary run.

Is Mac Jones already in the top 10?
Yes, Mac Jones ranks 7th all-time in Patriots history.

Did Drew Bledsoe win a Super Bowl with New England?
Bledsoe was on the 2001 Super Bowl roster and played in the AFC Championship, but Brady led the team in the big game.

Which Patriots QB had the best single-season fill-in performance?
Matt Cassel’s 2008 campaign, when he passed for nearly 4,000 yards and led the team to an 11–5 record, stands out.

Who was the Patriots’ main QB before the Tom Brady era?
Drew Bledsoe, who threw for nearly 30,000 yards and helped restore the franchise’s competitiveness in the 1990s.

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