Most Passing Touchdowns in a Single Season (All-Time NFL Career Leaders)

Most Passing Touchdowns in a Single Season – All-Time NFL Leaders

The NFL passing game has exploded in recent decades, but only a handful of quarterbacks have ever reached true touchdown-throwing immortality. From Peyton Manning’s record-shattering 55 in 2013 to Dan Marino’s trailblazing 48 back in 1984, this list is stacked with legends who torched defenses for fun. Whether it’s Patrick Mahomes dropping 50 bombs in his first year as a starter or Tom Brady proving age is just a number, these are the seasons where quarterbacks reached video-game levels of production. The most passing touchdowns in a single season NFL records. 

Table of Contents

• Top 10 Most Passing Touchdowns in a Single NFL Season
• Full List – All-Time Single-Season Passing Touchdown Leaders
• FAQ – Most Passing Touchdowns in NFL History
• Conclusion – Passing Touchdown Leaders 

Top 10 Most Passing Touchdowns in a Single NFL Season

#10 – 3-Player Tie (Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Joe Burrow)

Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2021)

43 touchdowns – 5,316 passing yards

At 44 years old, Brady turned in a season that made Father Time look foolish. Leading the NFL in passing yards, he carved up defenses with precision and timing, leaning on Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to keep Tampa’s offense explosive from start to finish.

Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints, 2012)

43 touchdowns – 5,177 passing yards

Brees was a machine in 2012, hitting 5,000 yards for the seventh time in his career while tossing 43 touchdowns. His chemistry with Jimmy Graham was lethal, and his quick decision-making kept New Orleans in shootouts all season.

Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals, 2024)

43 touchdowns – 4,965 passing yards

Burrow’s 2024 campaign was his most complete yet. With Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins dominating on the outside, Burrow shredded secondaries and cemented himself as one of the NFL’s elite passers.

#9 – Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins, 1986)

44 touchdowns – 4,746 passing yards

Two years after his record-setting 1984 season, Marino proved it was no fluke. Despite defenses adjusting to his vertical game, he still managed 44 touchdowns with his trademark lightning-fast release and fearless deep-ball aggression.

#8 – Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers, 2011)

45 touchdowns – 4,643 passing yards

Rodgers’ 2011 MVP season was a masterclass in efficiency. With a passer rating of 122.5, he threaded needles and hit big plays at will. Defenses knew it was coming — and still couldn’t stop it.

#7 – Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints, 2011)

46 touchdowns – 5,476 passing yards

In 2011, Brees didn’t just throw for 46 touchdowns — he broke Dan Marino’s single-season passing yard record. His timing and anticipation with Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham made the Saints nearly impossible to defend.

#6 – Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers, 2020)

48 touchdowns – 4,299 passing yards

Rodgers bounced back in 2020 with another MVP season, connecting with Davante Adams for 18 of his 48 scores. His combination of poise, accuracy, and improvisation made this one of the most complete QB seasons ever.

#5 – Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins, 1984)

48 touchdowns – 5,084 passing yards

In 1984, Marino revolutionized the passing game. His 48-touchdown campaign shattered the previous record and turned the Dolphins into a vertical juggernaut in a run-heavy league.

#4 – Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts, 2004)

49 touchdowns – 4,557 passing yards

Manning’s 2004 season was surgical dominance. With Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark, he orchestrated an offense that seemed unstoppable, breaking the touchdown record at the time.

#3 – Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs, 2018)

50 touchdowns – 5,097 passing yards

In his first year as a starter, Mahomes delivered jaw-dropping throws and deep bombs with ease. His 50-touchdown season was a perfect blend of raw arm talent and offensive creativity.

#2 – Tom Brady (New England Patriots, 2007)

50 touchdowns – 4,806 passing yards

Brady’s 2007 season with Randy Moss was pure dominance. The Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season, and Brady’s deep-ball connection with Moss (23 TDs) was simply unstoppable.

#1 – Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos, 2013)

55 touchdowns – 5,477 passing yards

Manning’s 2013 season stands alone in NFL history. At 37, he rewrote the record books, dismantling defenses weekly and setting marks for both passing touchdowns and yards in a season.

Top 10 all-time NFL leaders in single-season passing touchdowns, led by Peyton Manning’s record 55 in 2013, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes tied at 50, and Dan Marino, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees among the all-time greats.

Full List – All-Time Single-Season Passing TD Leaders

Tiered ranking of the most passing touchdowns in a single NFL season, led by Peyton Manning’s 55-touchdown 2013 season, followed by Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes with 50, and Dan Marino, Aaron Rodgers, and others in elite company.

FAQ – Most Passing Touchdowns in NFL History

Who holds the record for the most passing touchdowns in a single NFL season?
Peyton Manning holds the record with 55 passing touchdowns in the 2013 season for the Denver Broncos. It remains the gold standard for quarterback dominance.

Has any quarterback ever thrown 50 touchdowns in multiple seasons?
No. Only three quarterbacks have ever hit the 50-touchdown mark in a single season — Peyton Manning (2013), Tom Brady (2007), and Patrick Mahomes (2018) — and each did it once.

Which active quarterback is most likely to break Peyton Manning’s record?
Patrick Mahomes is the top candidate. With his arm talent, mobility, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive scheme, Mahomes has the tools and supporting cast to challenge the 55-touchdown mark.

Who was the first NFL quarterback to throw over 40 touchdowns in a single season?
Dan Marino was the first, tossing 48 touchdowns in 1984 for the Miami Dolphins. At the time, it shattered the previous record and changed the way teams approached the passing game.

Is it harder to throw 50 passing touchdowns now than in the past?
While modern rules favor passing, defensive schemes are also more advanced. Hitting 50 touchdowns still requires elite skill, health, and a top-tier supporting cast — which is why it’s been done only three times in the past decade.

Conclusion – Passing Touchdown Leaders

The Most Passing Touchdowns in a Single Season All-Time NFL Leaders list is a showcase of quarterback seasons that redefined what offensive dominance looks like. From Dan Marino rewriting the record books in 1984 to Patrick Mahomes launching deep-ball magic in the modern era, and of course Peyton Manning’s unmatched 55-touchdown masterpiece in 2013, these performances weren’t just about stats — they were about complete offensive takeovers.

What makes this list fascinating is the variety of styles. Manning and Brady carved defenses with surgical precision, Mahomes combined improvisation with raw arm talent, and Marino brought a vertical game that was decades ahead of its time. While rules and eras may change, the difficulty of producing 40+ touchdowns in a single season remains a monumental challenge.

Whether you believe Manning’s 55 will stand forever or think Mahomes, Joe Burrow, or another young gun can break it, one thing is certain — the quarterbacks on this list turned their seasons into NFL history. And until someone throws touchdown number 56, this record will remain one of football’s most iconic benchmarks.

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