Most Career Passing Yards by an Arizona Cardinals Player
The Arizona Cardinals have one of the oldest histories in pro football — and a wild one at quarterback. From the leather helmet days of Paul Christman to Kyler Murray’s dual-threat chaos, it’s been anything but boring. Jim Hart still towers above everyone in total yards, but new-school stars like Kyler and Carson Palmer have made things interesting. Here’s a look at the top 10 quarterbacks in franchise history based on career passing yards.
TOP 10 LIST
10. Josh McCown – 5,431 Yards
Best remembered for his miracle TD pass that crushed the Vikings’ playoff dreams in 2003, McCown’s time in Arizona was short but iconic.
9. Lamar McHan – 6,578 Yards
A steady presence in the 1950s, McHan was a run-first era quarterback who still left a statistical footprint.
8. Paul Christman – 6,749 Yards
A true throwback, Christman played in the 1940s and helped lay the foundation for the Cardinals’ aerial game.
7. Charley Johnson – 14,928 Yards
One of the most efficient passers of the 1960s, Johnson’s calm style and strong production kept the Cardinals competitive.
6. Kurt Warner – 15,843 Yards
The Hall of Famer led the Cardinals to their only Super Bowl appearance and revived his career with a bang in the desert.
5. Carson Palmer – 16,782 Yards
Palmer brought stability, accuracy, and a deep-ball threat that made Arizona’s offense one of the best in the NFL during the mid-2010s.
4. Jake Plummer – 17,622 Yards
“Jake the Snake” was as unpredictable as he was entertaining, and his fearless style led the Cardinals to the playoffs for the first time in 50 years.
3. Kyler Murray – 19,498 Yards
Already in the top three, Murray’s mix of speed, arm talent, and highlight-reel plays has given fans a glimpse of the future.
2. Neil Lomax – 22,771 Yards
A quietly prolific passer in the 1980s, Lomax was a model of consistency in an era when big passing numbers were rare.
1. Jim Hart – 35,467 Yards
Eighteen seasons. One franchise. Hart’s record is built on old-school toughness, patience, and a whole lot of yards.
Ranking the 10 best career passing yard leaders in Arizona Cardinals history
Top 50 Career Passing Performances in Cardinals History
This full ranking shows every Cardinals quarterback to reach 837+ passing yards with the franchise. From Hall of Famers to one-hit wonders, it’s all here.
| Rank | Player Name | Passing Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Hart | 34639 |
| 2 | Neil Lomax | 22771 |
| 3 | Kyler Murray | 19498 |
| 4 | Jake Plummer | 17622 |
| 5 | Carson Palmer | 16782 |
| 6 | Kurt Warner | 15843 |
| 7 | Charley Johnson | 14928 |
| 8 | Paul Christman | 6749 |
| 9 | Lamar McHan | 6578 |
| 10 | Josh McCown | 5431 |
| 11 | Steve Beuerlein | 4709 |
| 12 | Matt Leinart | 3893 |
| 13 | John Skelton | 3707 |
| 14 | Timm Rosenbach | 3676 |
| 15 | Chris Chandler | 3592 |
| 16 | Dave Krieg | 3554 |
| 17 | Jim Hardy | 3193 |
| 18 | Kevin Kolb | 3124 |
| 19 | Tom Tupa | 3075 |
| 20 | Kent Graham | 3032 |
| 21 | Drew Stanton | 2901 |
| 22 | Gary Hogeboom | 2591 |
| 23 | Charley Trippi | 2547 |
| 24 | Ray Mallouf | 2485 |
| 25 | Boomer Esiason | 2293 |
| 26 | Josh Rosen | 2278 |
| 27 | Jeff Blake | 2247 |
| 28 | Derek Anderson | 2065 |
| 29 | Sam Etcheverry | 1982 |
| 30 | John Roach | 1763 |
| 31 | M.C. Reynolds | 1751 |
| 32 | Joshua Dobbs | 1569 |
| 33 | Colt McCoy | 1520 |
| 34 | Jay Schroeder | 1510 |
| 35 | Jim Root | 1482 |
| 36 | Dave Brown | 1442 |
| 37 | Bud Schwenk | 1360 |
| 38 | Ryan Lindley | 1314 |
| 39 | Cliff Stoudt | 1289 |
| 40 | King Hill | 1245 |
| 41 | Pete Beathard | 1144 |
| 42 | Blaine Gabbert | 1086 |
| 43 | Jack Robbins | 1076 |
| 44 | Pat Coffee | 1024 |
| 45 | Frank Tripucka | 1004 |
| 46 | Steve Romanik | 984 |
| 47 | Ralph Guglielmi | 927 |
| 48 | Gary Cuozzo | 897 |
| 49 | Terry Nofsinger | 846 |
| 50 | Phil Sarboe | 837 |
Jim Hart’s grip on the top spot might seem untouchable, but Kyler Murray’s rapid rise makes things interesting. Mix in a Super Bowl run from Warner, the stability of Carson Palmer, and the wild ride that was Jake Plummer — and you’ve got a surprisingly deep quarterback history. Whether old-school or new-school, Cardinals QBs have kept fans entertained for nearly a century.
FAQ Section
Who holds the Cardinals record for most career passing yards?
Jim Hart, with 35,467 yards, remains the franchise leader.
Is Kyler Murray climbing the list?
Yes — Kyler is already 3rd and closing in fast on Lomax for the second spot.
Are any Hall of Famers on this list?
Kurt Warner is the only Hall of Famer, thanks to his legendary Super Bowl run in 2008.
Who was the most underrated Cardinals QB?
Neil Lomax — consistent, efficient, and often overlooked in league-wide conversations.
Want more records and rankings like this?
📲 Follow @sogfootball on Instagram — daily debates and stat drops.
🔗 Browse all NFL Records and Tier Lists on the site here.
