San Francisco 49ers All-Time Passing Touchdown Leaders starts with Joe Montana, the franchise record-holder with 244 touchdown passes. For a team with Steve Young, John Brodie, Jeff Garcia, Y.A. Tittle and Brock Purdy in its quarterback history, Montana still owning the passing touchdown crown says everything about his production, efficiency and dynasty-era greatness.
Steve Young ranks second with 221 passing touchdowns, while John Brodie is third at 214. Those three quarterbacks form the clear top tier of the 49ers passing touchdown leaderboard. Jeff Garcia and Y.A. Tittle round out the top five, while Brock Purdy has already climbed to sixth as the active name changing the list.
For the full team index, visit our San Francisco 49ers all-time leaders and player rankings hub. This list uses NFL regular-season passing touchdowns recorded with the San Francisco 49ers only. Frankie Albert’s full professional 49ers résumé includes AAFC production, but this version follows the NFL-only passing touchdown leaderboard.
How This 49ers Passing Touchdown List Works
This list ranks the San Francisco 49ers all-time passing touchdown leaders by regular-season touchdown passes recorded with the franchise in NFL statistical leaderboards. It does not include playoff touchdowns, preseason stats or touchdown passes thrown for another NFL team.
That matters for players like Joe Montana, Steve Young, Alex Smith, Jimmy Garoppolo and others who also played for different franchises. For this leaderboard, only their San Francisco 49ers production counts.
The main historical note is Frankie Albert. His full pro 49ers résumé includes the AAFC years, but this article follows the NFL regular-season passing touchdown leaderboard. In that format, Steve DeBerg is the No. 10 quarterback with 37 passing touchdowns, while Albert sits outside the top 10 in NFL-only context.
Last updated: 2026 offseason. Brock Purdy is still active with San Francisco, so his total and rank can change during future seasons.
Passing Touchdowns vs. 49ers Quarterback Legacy
Passing touchdowns are a clean way to measure scoring production, but they do not tell the whole quarterback story. Montana’s No. 1 ranking lines up with his overall 49ers legacy, but Steve Young’s efficiency, rushing value and Super Bowl XXIX peak make his case much bigger than touchdown totals alone.
Brodie is also a good example. He ranks third in passing touchdowns and second in passing yards, but he played in a tougher passing environment and never had the Super Bowl résumé of Montana or Young. Purdy’s climb is different again because he is building his total in a Shanahan offense loaded with yards-after-catch weapons, tight end usage and play-action efficiency.
That is why this leaderboard works best as a scoring record, not a full quarterback ranking. For the broader legacy debate, Montana, Young, Brodie, Garcia, Tittle and Purdy all need era context, playoff impact and overall offensive value.
Table of Contents
- How This 49ers Passing Touchdown List Works
- Passing Touchdowns vs. 49ers Quarterback Legacy
- 1. Joe Montana — 244 Passing TDs
- 2. Steve Young — 221 Passing TDs
- 3. John Brodie — 214 Passing TDs
- 4. Jeff Garcia — 113 Passing TDs
- 5. Y.A. Tittle — 108 Passing TDs
- 6. Brock Purdy — 84 Passing TDs
- 7. Jimmy Garoppolo — 82 Passing TDs
- 8. Alex Smith — 81 Passing TDs
- 9. Colin Kaepernick — 72 Passing TDs
- 10. Steve DeBerg — 37 Passing TDs
- Biggest Takeaways
- Full Ranking Table
- FAQ
- Conclusion
- More 49ers and NFL Rankings
1. Joe Montana — 244 Passing TDs
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1979–1992 with San Francisco, franchise-record 244 passing touchdowns, 35,124 passing yards, four Super Bowl championships, three Super Bowl MVP awards and two NFL MVP awards.
Joe Montana is the San Francisco 49ers all-time passing touchdown leader. His 244 touchdown passes remain the top mark in franchise history, and they came during the greatest championship run the team has ever had.
Montana was the perfect quarterback for Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense. He played with timing, accuracy, poise and rare control in the biggest moments. His touchdown total was not built on empty volume; it was tied directly to winning football.
He threw to legendary weapons, led iconic playoff drives and helped turn San Francisco into the NFL’s defining dynasty of the 1980s. Steve Young and John Brodie both came close, but Montana still owns the passing touchdown record.
2. Steve Young — 221 Passing TDs
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1987–1999 with San Francisco, 221 passing touchdowns, 29,907 passing yards, one Super Bowl championship as starter, Super Bowl XXIX MVP and two NFL MVP awards.
Steve Young ranks second in 49ers career passing touchdowns with 221. Replacing Montana was one of the hardest jobs in football history, and Young still built a Hall of Fame 49ers career.
Young was one of the most efficient quarterbacks the sport has ever seen. He could beat defenses with accuracy, arm strength, timing and mobility, which made him a nightmare to defend.
His Super Bowl XXIX performance remains the peak of his 49ers career. Young threw six touchdown passes in that game, finally putting his own championship stamp on the franchise after the Montana era.
3. John Brodie — 214 Passing TDs
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1957–1973 with San Francisco, 214 passing touchdowns, 31,548 passing yards, two Pro Bowls and 1970 NFL MVP.
John Brodie ranks third in 49ers career passing touchdowns with 214. He spent his entire NFL career with San Francisco and gave the franchise one of its first major long-term quarterback eras.
Brodie played in a very different passing environment than Montana, Young or Purdy. Quarterbacks took more risks, completion rates were lower and interceptions were more common. Even with that context, his touchdown production was excellent for his era.
He never won a Super Bowl, which keeps him behind Montana and Young in broader quarterback debates. But on a 49ers passing touchdown leaderboard, Brodie’s longevity and production make him one of the biggest names in franchise history.
4. Jeff Garcia — 113 Passing TDs
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1999–2003 with San Francisco, 113 passing touchdowns, 16,408 passing yards and three Pro Bowls with the 49ers.
Jeff Garcia ranks fourth in San Francisco 49ers career passing touchdowns. He had the difficult job of following the Montana-Young era, and while he was not on that all-time level, he gave the team very strong quarterback play.
Garcia was mobile, accurate and tough. He extended plays, threw well on the move and developed a strong connection with Terrell Owens during one of the most productive stretches of his career.
His 113 touchdown passes keep him clearly ahead of the rest of the post-Young quarterbacks for now. Purdy is closing quickly, but Garcia still owns the best non-Montana/Young/Brodie touchdown total in franchise history.
5. Y.A. Tittle — 108 Passing TDs
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1951–1960 with San Francisco, 108 passing touchdowns, 16,016 passing yards and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback.
Y.A. Tittle ranks fifth in 49ers career passing touchdowns. Before his famous Giants years, Tittle built a major part of his Hall of Fame résumé in San Francisco.
Tittle played in a tough passing era. Quarterbacks were asked to attack downfield, absorb punishment and live with more turnovers than modern passers. That makes his 108 touchdown passes with the 49ers stand out even more.
His total NFL legacy is bigger than his San Francisco chapter alone, but his 49ers production is still strong enough to keep him in the franchise top five.
6. Brock Purdy — 84 Passing TDs
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 2022–present with San Francisco, 84 passing touchdowns, 11,685 passing yards, one Pro Bowl and current 49ers franchise quarterback.
Brock Purdy ranks sixth already, and he is the active quarterback most likely to keep climbing this list. His rise from the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to one of the most productive young quarterbacks in 49ers history has been remarkable.
Purdy’s touchdown production comes from accuracy, timing, anticipation and comfort in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He does not need to play outside structure on every snap, but when he has to create, he has shown enough mobility and confidence to extend plays.
He is already ahead of Jimmy Garoppolo, Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick in passing touchdowns. If he stays healthy, Purdy can move toward Garcia and Tittle sooner than later.
7. Jimmy Garoppolo — 82 Passing TDs
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 2017–2022 with San Francisco, 82 passing touchdowns, 13,599 passing yards, 38–17 regular-season starting record and one Super Bowl appearance.
Jimmy Garoppolo ranks seventh in 49ers career passing touchdowns with 82. His San Francisco career was complicated, but his production and win-loss record keep him high on the leaderboard.
Garoppolo fit Kyle Shanahan’s offense best when he was quick, decisive and accurate over the middle of the field. He helped stabilize the franchise after several rough quarterback years.
Injuries are the biggest what-if in his 49ers story. When he was healthy, San Francisco won a lot of games. His 82 touchdown passes and Super Bowl LIV appearance keep him as an important quarterback in recent team history.
8. Alex Smith — 81 Passing TDs
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 2005–2012 with San Francisco, 81 passing touchdowns, 14,280 passing yards and a key role in the early Jim Harbaugh turnaround.
Alex Smith ranks eighth with 81 passing touchdowns. His San Francisco career was a long story of early struggle, constant system changes and eventual revival.
Smith entered the league as a No. 1 overall pick, but the environment around him was unstable for years. Once Jim Harbaugh arrived, Smith became more efficient, more confident and helped the 49ers return to playoff football.
His touchdown total is not huge compared to Montana or Young, but his role in moving the franchise out of a losing era matters. Smith helped set the stage for San Francisco’s early-2010s resurgence.
9. Colin Kaepernick — 72 Passing TDs
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 2011–2016 with San Francisco, 72 passing touchdowns, 12,271 passing yards, 2,300 rushing yards and one Super Bowl appearance.
Colin Kaepernick ranks ninth in 49ers career passing touchdowns, but his total offensive impact was much bigger than passing touchdowns alone.
Kaepernick gave San Francisco one of the most explosive dual-threat quarterbacks in franchise history. His arm strength and rushing ability changed the offense quickly after he became the starter.
His playoff run after the 2012 season remains one of the most memorable quarterback stretches in 49ers history. The passing touchdown total keeps him in the top 10, but his rushing threat is what made his peak truly dangerous.
10. Steve DeBerg — 37 Passing TDs
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1977–1980 with San Francisco, 37 passing touchdowns and 7,220 passing yards.
Steve DeBerg rounds out the NFL-only 49ers passing touchdown top 10 with 37 touchdown passes. His San Francisco career came right before Montana fully took over.
DeBerg was not a long-term 49ers legend, but he played enough and produced enough to remain part of the franchise passing record book.
His place at No. 10 also shows how top-heavy San Francisco quarterback history is. The top three are all major franchise icons, while the lower half of the list reflects shorter but still important quarterback chapters.
Biggest Takeaways From the 49ers Passing TD List
The biggest takeaway is that Montana still owns the franchise record. His 244 passing touchdowns keep him ahead of Young and Brodie, even after several modern 49ers passing eras.
The second takeaway is how strong the top three are. Montana, Young and Brodie are the only 49ers quarterbacks with more than 200 touchdown passes, and each represents a different era of franchise quarterback greatness.
The third takeaway is Purdy’s climb. He is already sixth with 84 passing touchdowns and is still active. He has already moved past Garoppolo and Smith, and the next targets are Tittle and Garcia.
Full Ranking Table: San Francisco 49ers All-Time Passing Touchdown Leaders
Note: This table is sorted by NFL regular-season passing touchdowns with the 49ers only. Frankie Albert’s full AAFC/NFL 49ers touchdown total is higher, but this table follows the NFL-only leaderboard context.
| Rank | Player | 49ers Years | Passing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Montana | 1979–1992 | 244 |
| 2 | Steve Young | 1987–1999 | 221 |
| 3 | John Brodie | 1957–1973 | 214 |
| 4 | Jeff Garcia | 1999–2003 | 113 |
| 5 | Y.A. Tittle | 1951–1960 | 108 |
| 6 | Brock Purdy | 2022–Present | 84 |
| 7 | Jimmy Garoppolo | 2017–2022 | 82 |
| 8 | Alex Smith | 2005–2012 | 81 |
| 9 | Colin Kaepernick | 2011–2016 | 72 |
| 10 | Steve DeBerg | 1977–1980 | 37 |
| 11 | Steve Spurrier | 1967–1975 | 33 |
| 12 | Frankie Albert | 1950–1952 | 27 |
| 13 | Nick Mullens | 2017–2020 | 25 |
| 14 | Tim Rattay | 2000–2005 | 24 |
| 15 | Shaun Hill | 2006–2009 | 23 |
| 16 | Jim Plunkett | 1976–1977 | 22 |
| 17 | C.J. Beathard | 2017–2020 | 18 |
| 17 | Elvis Grbac | 1993–1996 | 18 |
| 19 | George Mira | 1964–1968 | 17 |
| 20 | Blaine Gabbert | 2014–2016 | 16 |
| 21 | Steve Bono | 1989–1993 | 14 |
| 22 | Mac Jones | 2025 | 13 |
| 23 | Jeff Kemp | 1986 | 11 |
| 23 | Tom Owen | 1974–1975 | 11 |
| 23 | Norm Snead | 1974–1975 | 11 |
FAQ: San Francisco 49ers All-Time Passing Touchdown Leaders
Who has the most passing touchdowns in San Francisco 49ers history?
Joe Montana has the most passing touchdowns in San Francisco 49ers history with 244 regular-season passing TDs.
Who is second in 49ers career passing touchdowns?
Steve Young ranks second in 49ers career passing touchdowns with 221 passing TDs.
Who is third in San Francisco 49ers all-time passing touchdowns?
John Brodie ranks third with 214 passing touchdowns for San Francisco.
Where does Brock Purdy rank in 49ers passing touchdowns?
Brock Purdy ranks sixth in 49ers career passing touchdowns with 84 passing TDs through the 2025 season.
Did Brock Purdy pass Jimmy Garoppolo and Alex Smith?
Yes. Brock Purdy has 84 passing touchdowns with San Francisco, putting him ahead of Jimmy Garoppolo’s 82 and Alex Smith’s 81.
Why is Steve DeBerg listed instead of Frankie Albert?
This ranking follows the NFL regular-season passing touchdown leaderboard. In that format, Steve DeBerg ranks No. 10 with 37 passing touchdowns. Frankie Albert’s full AAFC and NFL 49ers résumé is historically important, but his NFL-only passing touchdown total is lower.
Who has the most passing yards in 49ers history?
Joe Montana has the most passing yards in 49ers history with 35,124 passing yards.
Are playoff passing touchdowns included in this 49ers ranking?
No. This ranking uses regular-season passing touchdowns with the 49ers only. Playoff passing touchdowns are not included.
Conclusion: Joe Montana Still Leads the 49ers Passing TD List
Joe Montana remains the San Francisco 49ers all-time passing touchdown leader with 244, keeping him ahead of Steve Young and John Brodie. That top three is one of the strongest quarterback trios any NFL franchise can claim.
Jeff Garcia and Y.A. Tittle complete the top five, while Brock Purdy is the active name changing the leaderboard. Purdy has already passed Garoppolo, Smith and Kaepernick, and he is close enough to Garcia and Tittle that the top five could eventually change.
For now, though, the passing touchdown crown still belongs to Montana. He was the face of the 49ers dynasty, the quarterback of four Super Bowl teams and still the standard for San Francisco passing greatness.
More 49ers and NFL Rankings
For the full franchise picture, visit our San Francisco 49ers all-time leaders and player rankings hub and our best San Francisco 49ers players of all-time ranking.
You can also read our related 49ers pages for best San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks of all-time, San Francisco 49ers all-time passing yards leaders, San Francisco 49ers all-time rushing yards leaders and San Francisco 49ers 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.
