Most Career Passing Yards by a Pittsburgh Steelers Player
The Pittsburgh Steelers are built on defense, tradition, and toughness — but don’t overlook the arms that have kept them competitive. From old-school legends like Terry Bradshaw to the ironman era of Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh has had a surprisingly strong lineage of quarterbacks. This list dives into the 10 most prolific passers to ever wear the black and gold.
TOP 10 LIST
10. Mike Tomczak – 6,649 Yards
A journeyman who stuck around in the ‘90s, Tomczak gave the Steelers reliable snaps and nearly 7,000 passing yards.
9. Tommy Maddox – 7,139 Yards
From the XFL to the NFL, Maddox was a short-lived but fun ride in Pittsburgh — even earning a Pro Bowl in the process.
8. Mark Malone – 8,582 Yards
Bridging the post-Bradshaw gap, Malone gave the Steelers decent production through a transitional era.
7. Jim Finks – 8,622 Yards
One of the few shining stars in Pittsburgh’s 1950s offense, Finks helped lay the groundwork for what came later.
6. Bobby Layne – 9,030 Yards
Though better known for his Detroit days, Layne finished strong in Pittsburgh with leadership and over 9,000 yards.
5. Bubby Brister – 10,104 Yards
Brister was scrappy, tough, and capable — not flashy, but he got the job done across several seasons.
4. Neil O’Donnell – 12,867 Yards
Steady and efficient, O’Donnell took the Steelers to Super Bowl XXX and was a model of composure.
3. Kordell Stewart – 13,328 Yards
“Slash” changed the game — quarterback, runner, playmaker. Stewart’s dual-threat talents defined early 2000s Pittsburgh offense.
2. Terry Bradshaw – 27,989 Yards
Four rings and a cannon for an arm. Bradshaw might not top every stat sheet, but he’s the soul of 1970s Steelers football.
1. Ben Roethlisberger – 64,088 Yards
The king of the black and gold air attack. For nearly two decades, Big Ben kept the Steelers competitive, tough, and throwing deep.
Ranking the 10 best career passing yard leaders in Pittsburgh Steelers history
Top 50 Career Passing Performances in Pittsburgh Steelers History
This list includes every quarterback who has thrown for 520 or more yards in a Steelers uniform — from all-time greats to flash-in-the-pan backups who left a statistical mark.
| Rank | Player Name | Passing Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ben Roethlisberger | 64088 |
| 2 | Terry Bradshaw | 27989 |
| 3 | Kordell Stewart | 13328 |
| 4 | Neil O’Donnell | 12867 |
| 5 | Bubby Brister | 10104 |
| 6 | Bobby Layne | 9030 |
| 7 | Jim Finks | 8622 |
| 8 | Mark Malone | 8582 |
| 9 | Tommy Maddox | 7139 |
| 10 | Mike Tomczak | 6649 |
| 11 | Ed Brown | 5821 |
| 12 | Kenny Pickett | 4474 |
| 13 | Bill Nelsen | 4440 |
| 14 | Dick Shiner | 3278 |
| 15 | Cliff Stoudt | 3217 |
| 16 | Mason Rudolph | 3085 |
| 17 | David Woodley | 2630 |
| 18 | Kent Nix | 2597 |
| 19 | Russell Wilson | 2482 |
| 20 | Terry Hanratty | 2478 |
| 21 | Earl Morrall | 2175 |
| 22 | Joe Gilliam | 2103 |
| 23 | Charlie Batch | 2069 |
| 24 | Ted Marchibroda | 1931 |
| 25 | Joe Geri | 1926 |
| 26 | Mitchell Trubisky | 1884 |
| 27 | Johnny Clement | 1630 |
| 28 | Rudy Bukich | 1611 |
| 29 | Landry Jones | 1310 |
| 30 | Ron Smith | 1249 |
| 31 | Justin Fields | 1106 |
| 32 | Devlin Hodges | 1063 |
| 33 | Mike Kruczek | 976 |
| 34 | Johnny Gildea | 964 |
| 35 | Bill Dudley | 948 |
| 36 | Ray Evans | 924 |
| 37 | Kent Graham | 878 |
| 38 | Ed Matesic | 850 |
| 39 | Tom Tracy | 831 |
| 40 | Todd Blackledge | 776 |
| 41 | Scott Campbell | 721 |
| 42 | Joe Gasparella | 677 |
| 43 | Chuck Ortmann | 671 |
| 44 | Bob Gage | 623 |
| 45 | Byron Leftwich | 617 |
| 46 | Warren Heller | 599 |
| 47 | Coley McDonough | 584 |
| 48 | Steve Bono | 548 |
| 49 | Billy Patterson | 529 |
| 50 | Jim Miller | 520 |
From the steel-tough leadership of Bradshaw to the never-say-die grit of Roethlisberger, the Steelers have been shaped by the men under center as much as by the legends on defense. Big Ben’s massive yardage total may never be touched, but the black and gold quarterback legacy is full of underrated names worth remembering.
FAQ Section
Who has the most career passing yards for the Steelers?
Ben Roethlisberger leads with 64,088 yards — more than double the second-place total.
How many Steelers QBs have over 10,000 passing yards?
Five quarterbacks — Roethlisberger, Bradshaw, Stewart, O’Donnell, and Brister — crossed the 10K milestone.
Did Bobby Layne play most of his career in Pittsburgh?
No — he made his mark in Detroit, but ended his Hall of Fame career with over 9,000 yards for the Steelers.
Which QB led the Steelers to their first Super Bowl?
Terry Bradshaw guided the Steelers to their first of four Super Bowl wins in the 1970s.
Was Kordell Stewart a full-time QB?
Yes — while he was used creatively, Stewart started full-time and still ranks third all-time in team passing yards.
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