Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Passing Touchdown Leaders starts with Ben Roethlisberger, the franchise record-holder with 418 touchdown passes. For a team with Terry Bradshaw, Kordell Stewart, Neil O’Donnell, Bobby Layne and Tommy Maddox in its quarterback history, Roethlisberger’s lead at the top of the passing touchdown list is enormous.
Terry Bradshaw ranks second after leading the Steelers through their 1970s dynasty, while Kordell Stewart sits third as one of the most unique dual-threat quarterbacks in franchise history. Neil O’Donnell, Bobby Layne, Jim Finks, Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Tommy Maddox and Ed Brown complete the top 10, giving this leaderboard a clean split between championship icons, old-school passers and bridge-era starters.
For the full team index, visit our Pittsburgh Steelers all-time leaders and player rankings hub. This list uses regular-season passing touchdowns recorded with the Pittsburgh Steelers only. Playoff touchdowns, preseason stats and touchdown passes thrown with another team are not included.
Table of Contents
- How This Steelers Passing Touchdown List Works
- Passing Touchdowns vs. Steelers Quarterback Legacy
- 1. Ben Roethlisberger — 418 Passing TDs
- 2. Terry Bradshaw — 212 Passing TDs
- 3. Kordell Stewart — 70 Passing TDs
- 4. Neil O’Donnell — 68 Passing TDs
- 5. Bobby Layne — 66 Passing TDs
- 6. Jim Finks — 55 Passing TDs
- 7. Mark Malone — 54 Passing TDs
- 8. Bubby Brister — 51 Passing TDs
- 9. Tommy Maddox — 42 Passing TDs
- 10. Ed Brown — 38 Passing TDs
- Biggest Takeaways
- Full Ranking Table
- FAQ
- Conclusion
- More Steelers and NFL Rankings
How This Steelers Passing Touchdown List Works
This list ranks the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time passing touchdown leaders by regular-season touchdown passes recorded with the Steelers franchise. It does not include playoff passing touchdowns, preseason stats or touchdown passes thrown for another NFL team.
That matters for players like Bobby Layne, Ed Brown, Mike Tomczak, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson, who also had major NFL chapters outside Pittsburgh. For this leaderboard, only their Steelers production counts.
The featured top 10 follows the franchise passing touchdown leaderboard, with Ben Roethlisberger first, Terry Bradshaw second and Kordell Stewart third. The full table below expands the list into a top-25 ranking range so the lower part of Pittsburgh’s quarterback record book has more useful context.
Last updated: 2026 offseason. No active Steelers quarterback is currently inside the top 10, but recent Steelers quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Russell Wilson, Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields and Mitchell Trubisky appear deeper in the franchise passing touchdown records.
Passing Touchdowns vs. Steelers Quarterback Legacy
Passing touchdowns are not the only way to measure Steelers quarterback greatness, but they are one of the cleanest ways to separate long-term production from short peaks. Roethlisberger owns the modern statistical record book because he played 18 seasons, threw at high volume and gave Pittsburgh its most productive passing era.
Bradshaw’s touchdown total looks smaller next to Roethlisberger’s, but the era difference matters. He played in a more physical, lower-volume passing environment and still finished with 212 touchdown passes while leading the franchise’s 1970s dynasty.
After those two, the drop is massive. Kordell Stewart ranks third with 70 passing touchdowns, which shows how rare long-term quarterback stability has been in Pittsburgh outside the Bradshaw and Roethlisberger eras.
1. Ben Roethlisberger — 418 Passing TDs
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 2004–2021 with Pittsburgh, franchise-record 418 passing touchdowns, franchise-record 64,088 passing yards, six Pro Bowls, two Super Bowl championships and 2004 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Ben Roethlisberger is the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time passing touchdown leader by a massive margin. His 418 touchdown passes are nearly double Terry Bradshaw’s total, which shows how completely he changed the franchise passing record book.
Roethlisberger gave Pittsburgh nearly two decades of stability at quarterback. He had the size to absorb contact, the arm to attack downfield and the creativity to extend plays when protection broke down.
His Steelers career included two Super Bowl wins, long playoff runs and almost every major team passing record. When it comes to regular-season passing touchdown production in Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger stands alone.
2. Terry Bradshaw — 212 Passing TDs
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1970–1983 with Pittsburgh, 212 passing touchdowns, 27,989 passing yards, four Super Bowl championships, two Super Bowl MVPs, 1978 NFL MVP and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback.
Terry Bradshaw ranks second in Steelers career passing touchdowns with 212. His numbers came in a much different era, when passing attacks were less efficient and defenses were more physical.
Bradshaw’s legacy is built on championships, toughness and big-game throws. He was the quarterback of Pittsburgh’s 1970s dynasty and helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl titles in six seasons.
Roethlisberger owns the modern statistical crown, but Bradshaw still owns one of the greatest championship résumés in NFL history. His 212 touchdown passes keep him far ahead of every Steelers quarterback except Big Ben.
3. Kordell Stewart — 70 Passing TDs
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1995–2002 with Pittsburgh, 70 passing touchdowns, 13,328 passing yards, 2,561 rushing yards, 35 rushing touchdowns and one Pro Bowl selection.
Kordell Stewart ranks third in Steelers career passing touchdowns with 70. His full value goes beyond passing because he was one of the most versatile offensive players Pittsburgh has ever had.
Stewart earned the “Slash” nickname because he could play quarterback, receiver and runner. When he became the full-time starter, his athleticism gave the Steelers offense a different kind of threat.
His passing totals place him third in both Steelers passing yards and passing touchdowns, while his rushing production makes his résumé even more unique.
4. Neil O’Donnell — 68 Passing TDs
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1990–1995 with Pittsburgh, 68 passing touchdowns, 12,867 passing yards, one Pro Bowl and one Super Bowl appearance.
Neil O’Donnell ranks fourth in Steelers career passing touchdowns with 68. He was the quarterback during the early Bill Cowher era, when Pittsburgh returned to AFC contender status.
O’Donnell was not always a high-volume passer, but he was careful with the football and fit well with the Steelers’ physical identity. His play helped Pittsburgh reach Super Bowl XXX after the 1995 season.
His Steelers career is often remembered through that Super Bowl appearance, but his regular-season production still keeps him inside the franchise top five in passing touchdowns.
5. Bobby Layne — 66 Passing TDs
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1958–1962 with Pittsburgh, 66 passing touchdowns, 9,030 passing yards and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback.
Bobby Layne ranks fifth in Steelers career passing touchdowns with 66. His full NFL legacy is bigger than his Pittsburgh chapter, but his Steelers years still left a major mark on the record book.
Layne played in a tougher passing era, where touchdowns were harder to come by and quarterbacks took more punishment. That makes his 66 touchdown passes with Pittsburgh stand out.
He gave the Steelers a proven veteran quarterback and remains one of the most important early passers in franchise history.
6. Jim Finks — 55 Passing TDs
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1949–1955 with Pittsburgh, 55 passing touchdowns and 8,622 passing yards.
Jim Finks ranks sixth in Steelers career passing touchdowns with 55. He played in the early postwar era, when passing numbers were much smaller than they are today.
Finks was one of Pittsburgh’s main quarterbacks during the late 1940s and early 1950s. His totals may not look huge in a modern context, but they were meaningful for his era.
His place in the top 10 connects the Steelers passing record book to the franchise’s earlier decades.
7. Mark Malone — 54 Passing TDs
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1980–1987 with Pittsburgh, 54 passing touchdowns and 8,582 passing yards.
Mark Malone ranks seventh in Steelers career passing touchdowns with 54. He was part of the difficult post-Bradshaw quarterback transition.
Malone had athletic ability and arm talent, but the Steelers were no longer the same dynasty-level offense from the 1970s. The team went through several changes during his run.
Still, Malone produced enough to remain inside the franchise top 10 in both passing yards and passing touchdowns.
8. Bubby Brister — 51 Passing TDs
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1986–1992 with Pittsburgh, 51 passing touchdowns and 10,104 passing yards.
Bubby Brister ranks eighth in Steelers career passing touchdowns with 51. He played during the late Chuck Noll era, when Pittsburgh was still searching for long-term quarterback stability after Terry Bradshaw.
Brister brought toughness, energy and a strong arm. His play could be aggressive and sometimes uneven, but he gave the Steelers several seasons of starting production.
He actually ranks higher in passing yards than he does in passing touchdowns, which shows how much he played during a transitional Steelers period.
9. Tommy Maddox — 42 Passing TDs
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 2001–2005 with Pittsburgh, 42 passing touchdowns, 7,139 passing yards and 2002 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Tommy Maddox ranks ninth in Steelers career passing touchdowns with 42. His comeback story is one of the more interesting quarterback chapters in modern Steelers history.
Maddox helped open up the passing game before Ben Roethlisberger arrived. His 2002 season gave Pittsburgh’s offense a spark and earned him NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
He eventually gave way to Roethlisberger, but Maddox’s short peak still keeps him on the franchise passing touchdown leaderboard.
10. Ed Brown — 38 Passing TDs
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1962–1965 with Pittsburgh, 38 passing touchdowns and 5,821 passing yards.
Ed Brown rounds out the Steelers top 10 in career passing touchdowns with 38. His Pittsburgh chapter came after a longer NFL career elsewhere, but he still produced enough to land on this list.
Brown played in a lower-volume passing era, so his touchdown total needs context. Passing efficiency and offensive structure were very different from today’s NFL.
His 38 touchdown passes keep him just ahead of Mike Tomczak for the final spot in the Steelers top 10.
Biggest Takeaways From the Steelers Passing TD List
The biggest takeaway is Ben Roethlisberger’s huge lead. His 418 passing touchdowns are 206 more than Terry Bradshaw, making him the clear statistical leader in Steelers passing history.
The second takeaway is that Bradshaw’s ranking is still historically powerful. Even without modern passing volume, he threw 212 touchdowns and led Pittsburgh through the greatest championship run in franchise history.
The third takeaway is how wide the gap is after the top two. Kordell Stewart ranks third with 70, which shows how far Roethlisberger and Bradshaw separate themselves from the rest of the franchise quarterback history.
Full Ranking Table: Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Passing Touchdown Leaders
Note: This table is sorted by regular-season passing touchdowns with the Steelers only. Ties use the same rank, so this top-25 ranking range includes every player tied at No. 25.
| Rank | Player | Steelers Years | Passing TDs | Passing Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ben Roethlisberger | 2004–2021 | 418 | 64,088 |
| 2 | Terry Bradshaw | 1970–1983 | 212 | 27,989 |
| 3 | Kordell Stewart | 1995–2002 | 70 | 13,328 |
| 4 | Neil O’Donnell | 1990–1995 | 68 | 12,867 |
| 5 | Bobby Layne | 1958–1962 | 66 | 9,030 |
| 6 | Jim Finks | 1949–1955 | 55 | 8,622 |
| 7 | Mark Malone | 1980–1987 | 54 | 8,582 |
| 8 | Bubby Brister | 1986–1992 | 51 | 10,104 |
| 9 | Tommy Maddox | 2001–2005 | 42 | 7,139 |
| 10 | Ed Brown | 1962–1965 | 38 | 5,821 |
| 11 | Mike Tomczak | 1993–1999 | 37 | 6,649 |
| 12 | Bill Nelsen | 1963–1967 | 27 | 4,440 |
| 13 | Dick Shiner | 1968–1969 | 25 | 3,278 |
| 14 | Terry Hanratty | 1969–1975 | 24 | 2,478 |
| 14 | Aaron Rodgers | 2025 | 24 | 3,322 |
| 16 | Mason Rudolph | 2018–2023, 2025 | 21 | 3,395 |
| 17 | Russell Wilson | 2024 | 16 | 2,482 |
| 18 | Ted Marchibroda | 1953, 1955–1956 | 15 | 1,931 |
| 19 | Kent Nix | 1967–1969 | 14 | 2,597 |
| 19 | Cliff Stoudt | 1977–1983 | 14 | 3,217 |
| 19 | David Woodley | 1984–1985 | 14 | 2,630 |
| 22 | Rudy Bukich | 1960–1961 | 13 | 1,611 |
| 22 | Joe Geri | 1949–1951 | 13 | 1,926 |
| 22 | Kenny Pickett | 2022–2024 | 13 | 4,474 |
| 25 | Charlie Batch | 2002–2012 | 12 | 2,069 |
| 25 | Earl Morrall | 1957–1958 | 12 | 2,175 |
FAQ: Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Passing Touchdown Leaders
Who has the most passing touchdowns in Pittsburgh Steelers history?
Ben Roethlisberger has the most passing touchdowns in Pittsburgh Steelers history with 418 regular-season passing TDs.
Who is second in Steelers career passing touchdowns?
Terry Bradshaw ranks second in Steelers career passing touchdowns with 212 passing TDs.
Who is third in Pittsburgh Steelers all-time passing touchdowns?
Kordell Stewart ranks third with 70 passing touchdowns for Pittsburgh.
How far ahead is Ben Roethlisberger on the Steelers passing TD list?
Ben Roethlisberger has 418 passing touchdowns, while Terry Bradshaw ranks second with 212. That gives Roethlisberger a lead of 206 touchdown passes.
Where does Neil O’Donnell rank in Steelers passing touchdowns?
Neil O’Donnell ranks fourth in Steelers career passing touchdowns with 68 passing TDs.
Who rounds out the Steelers passing touchdown top 10?
Ed Brown ranks 10th in Steelers career passing touchdowns with 38 touchdown passes.
Is Ben Roethlisberger also the Steelers passing yards leader?
Yes. Ben Roethlisberger is also the Steelers all-time passing yards leader with 64,088 passing yards.
Are playoff passing touchdowns included in this Steelers ranking?
No. This ranking uses regular-season passing touchdowns with the Steelers only. Playoff passing touchdowns are not included.
Conclusion: Ben Roethlisberger Owns the Steelers Passing TD Record
Ben Roethlisberger remains the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time passing touchdown leader with 418. Terry Bradshaw ranks second with 212, while Kordell Stewart is third with 70.
The gap between Roethlisberger and everyone else shows how much he changed Pittsburgh’s passing history. The Steelers have long been known for defense, toughness and running the football, but Roethlisberger gave the franchise its most productive passing era.
Bradshaw still owns the dynasty quarterback legacy, but Roethlisberger owns the statistical passing crown. Together, they define the two biggest quarterback chapters in Steelers history.
More Steelers and NFL Rankings
For the full franchise picture, visit our Pittsburgh Steelers all-time leaders and player rankings hub and our best Pittsburgh Steelers players of all-time ranking.
You can also read our related Steelers pages for best Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks of all-time, Pittsburgh Steelers all-time passing yards leaders, Pittsburgh Steelers all-time rushing yards leaders and Pittsburgh Steelers all-time receiving yards leaders.
For broader NFL history, check out our best NFL quarterbacks of all-time ranking and the NFL team all-time player rankings hub. You can also follow SOG Football on Instagram for more NFL rankings, debates and football history graphics.
