Is the NFL going to see four quarterbacks with 40 touchdown passes for the first time? As we approach the halfway point of the season, that seems to be where things are headed.
Russell Wilson leads the way. He’s on pace to break Peyton Manning’s single-season record of 55 touchdown passes.
But three of other quarterbacks are also on pace to throw more than 40, including Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady.
Previously, there’s been only one season in which three quarterbacks went for 40. In the 2011 seaso, with Drew Brees, Rodgers and Matthew Stafford.
Two other quarterbacks are also throwing plenty of touchdowns. Justin Herbert didn’t play in Week 1, but he’s thrown 15 in his six games – that would be 40 if he had that rate going for a full 16 games. And Ryan Tannehill has continued where he left off in the second half of last year; he’s on pace for 39 TDs.
In the chart below, you’re seeing all quarterbacks who’ve thrown 38 touchdown pases in a season. For the 2020 guys (in bold) you’re see where they would project to finish if they were to continue their current pace over a full 16-game season.
MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES | ||
---|---|---|
Year | Player | TD |
2020 | Russell Wilson, Sea. | 59.4 |
2013 | Peyton Manning, Den. | 55 |
2018 | Patrick Mahomes, K.C. | 50 |
2007 | Tom Brady, N.E. | 50 |
2004 | Peyton Manning, Ind. | 49 |
1984 | Dan Marino, Mia. | 48 |
2011 | Drew Brees, N.O. | 46 |
2020 | Aaron Rodgers, G.B. | 45.7 |
2011 | Aaron Rodgers, G.B. | 45 |
1986 | Dan Marino, Mia. | 44 |
2012 | Drew Brees, N.O. | 43 |
2020 | Patrick Mahomes, K.C. | 42.0 |
2020 | Tom Brady, T.B. | 41.1 |
2011 | Matthew Stafford, Det. | 41 |
1999 | Kurt Warner, Rams | 41 |
2016 | Aaron Rodgers, G.B. | 40 |
2014 | Andrew Luck, Ind. | 40 |
2020 | Justin Herbert, LAC | 40.0 |
2018 | Andrew Luck, Ind. | 39 |
2014 | Peyton Manning, Den. | 39 |
2013 | Drew Brees, N.O. | 39 |
2012 | Aaron Rodgers, G.B. | 39 |
2011 | Tom Brady, N.E. | 39 |
2004 | Daunte Culpepper, Minn. | 39 |
1996 | Brett Favre, G.B. | 39 |
2020 | Ryan Tannehill, Ten. | 38.9 |
2016 | Matt Ryan, Atl. | 38 |
2014 | Aaron Rodgers, G.B. | 38 |
1995 | Brett Favre, G.B. | 38 |
—Ian Allan