As the NFL turns 100, time to look at some of the top individual seasons for each franchise. Starting with the quarterbacks, it is somewhat surprising what QB has the top seasonal passing yardage.
Arizona Cardinals: Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer leads the way for the Cardinals franchise. The Heisman winner out of USC threw for 4,671 yards in 2015, topping the mark of 4,614 set by Neil Lomax in 1984.
Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan
There should be no surprise that Matt Ryan leads the way for the Atlanta Falcons. In fact, the BC great holds the top seven slots and eight of nine (Jeff George in 1995). Ryan’s 4,944 yards in 2016 are the most by a Falcon QB.
Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco
In 2016, Joe Flacco threw 672 passes. He wound up with 4,317 passing yards. Surprisingly, there were only 20 of his 436 completions that went for touchdowns.
Buffalo Bills: Drew Bledsoe
When the Patriots drafted Drew Bledsoe No. 1 overall, they would have expected him to have a spot on this list. However, someone named Tom Brady nudged Bledsoe out for good. The former Washington State star, Bledsoe is tops for Buffalo, throwing for 4,359 yards in 2002.
Carolina Panthers: Steve Beuerlein
It is not Cam Newton who leads the way for the Carolina Panthers. Rather, journeyman Steve Beuerlein, who had a huge year in the air in 1999, accumulating 4,436 yards. Newton’s best to date is 4,051.
Chicago Bears: Erik Kramer
How about a team that has never had a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards in a single season. One of those two teams would be the Chicago Bears. The most yardage thrown for by a Windy City quarterback was the 3,838 yards by Erik Kramer in 1995. The QBs would probably blame it on the weather and conditions.
Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton
Andy Dalton actually heads the pack for the Bengals with 4,293 yards in 2013. Dalton holds the top two slots with Carson Palmer in the following three.
Cleveland Browns: Brian Sipe
Everyone knows how awful the QB situation has been in Cleveland before Baker Mayfield arrived in 2018. However, this puts a massive spotlight on the putrid pitchers for the Browns. How about the most yardage thrown by a Cleveland QB happened in 1980 when Brian Sipe threw for 4,132 yards? Mayfield’s 3,725 yards is good for sixth all-time in Cleveland.
Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo
Tony Romo didn’t win a Super Bowl for the Cowboys. He is, however, the all-time single-season yardage leader with 4,903 in 2012. Romo has the top four seasons by yardage for QBs of America’s Team.
Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning had to be on the list, at least once. He appears here as QB for the Denver Broncos. Manning threw for 5,477 yards in 2013 and holds the top three seasons for Denver. Something for Joe Flacco to take aim.
Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford has a lot of yards in Detroit but not that much success, especially in the postseason. In 2012, the Georgia star threw for 5,038 yards and has seven of the eight best seasons for Detroit.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers
It definitely figured to be either Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers on top in Green Bay. Favre leads the Pack, sorry, with 4,643 yards in 2011. He threw 45 TDs against six picks. By the way, Favre isn’t in second place. That belongs to Lynn Dickey, who threw for 4,458 yards in 1983.
Houston Texans: Matt Schaub
Matt Schaub powered his way to 4,770 passing yards in 2009 for the Houston Texans.
Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck
Peyton Manning is not the top gun for Indianapolis. That honor belongs to Andrew Luck, who rang up 4,761 yards in 2014. The former Stanford great, Luck, actually has four of the top 10 with Manning holding the other six positions.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Blake Bortles
Blake Bortles became a punch line in Jacksonville. He did have some good times, Look at 2015, when Bortles threw for 4,428 yards.
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes
It took one entire season of starting for Patrick Mahomes to set the bar in Kansas City. His 5,097 yards eclipsed the mark of 4,591 set by Trent Green in 2004.
Los Angeles Chargers: Dan Fouts
Not going to find Philip Rivers atop the list for the Bolts. That honor goes to Hall of Famer Dan Fouts, who threw for 4,802 yards in 1981. Rivers does hold down nine of the top 11 seasons.
Los Angeles Rams: Kurt Warner
The Greatest Show on Turf featured the arm of Kurt Warner. His magical career saw a year of 4,830 yards in 2001 for the Rams.
Miami Dolphins: Dan Marino
Now, it would have been astounding if it were anyone but Dan Marino to lead Miami. His 5,084 yards in 1984 are the best by a Dolphin QB. Marino has the four best seasons by yardage for a Miami quarterback.
Minnesota Vikings: Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Culpepper threw for 4,717 in 2004 as a Minnesota Viking. He completed 379 passes, including 39 for TDs.
New England Patriots: Tom Brady
This was as easy as picking Tom Brady in the sixth round of the draft at 199. His top season is 5,235 yards in 2011 and he has 10 of the top 11 seasons by a Patriots QB.
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees
This is pretty astounding no matter how great Drew Brees is. How about the 13 best seasons by yardage for a Saints quarterback with .5,476 yards in 2011 as his high mark.
New York Giants: Eli Manning
For all the grief Eli Manning gets in New York, he has two Super Bowl rings and is the top season passer for Big Blue with 4,933 yard in 2011.
New York Jets: Joe Namath
Joe Namath threw for 4,007 yards in 1967. No Jet quarterback has eclipsed that level. Think about it, no Jets quarterback since 1967 has thrown for more yards than Joe Namath.
Oakland Raiders: Rich Gannon
The Raiders have had great QBs, Daryle Lamonica, Ken Stabler to name two. The top season by yardage goes to Rich Gannon and his 4,689 in 2002.
Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan McNabb
Wow, the Eagles have never had a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards in a single season. Pretty surprising that Donovan McNabb’s 3,916 in 2008 are tops for the Birds.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger
The best year for a Pittsburgh Steeler by yardage just happened as Ben Roethlisberger threw for 5,129 yards in 2018. He has nine of the top 10 seasons by a Steeler QB.
San Francisco 49ers: Jeff Garcia
John Brodie? Nope. Joe Montana? Nope. Steve Young? Nope. How about the 4,278 yards posted by Jeff Garcia in 2000? Stunning.
Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson
The Seahawks grabbed a gem when they drafted Russell Wilson. His 4,219 yards in 2016 are tops for Seattle.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston
The Bucs need more from Jameis Winston. His 4,090 yards in 2016 are a franchise best. However, that is not enough production for a quarterback drafted No. 1 overall out of Florida State.
Tennessee Titans: Warren Moon
Warren Moon wasn’t a Titan. He did, however, throw for 4,690 yards in 1991 as a Houston Oiler, which is what the Tennessee franchise was before moving.
Washington Redskins: Kirk Cousins
The Minnesota Vikings paid Kirk Cousins a fortune. They must have been wowed by the 4,917 yards he threw for in 2016 with Washington. Must have been some impressive games to watch.
