When we were kids growing up, the exclusive club for an NFL quarterback was to reach 25,000 yards for a career. But then the NFL changed the passing rules in 1978 to open up offenses and limit what defenses could do, physically. The game would never be the same, and now, looking at the league’s all-time passing yardage leaders? There 81 NFL quarterbacks who surpassed that 25,000-yard mark. That’s pretty shocking.

Today on NFL Thursday, we’re going to look at some of these names in that “Top 81” just for giggles. We will point out that Bart Starr, the Green Bay Packers QB for their 1960s dynasty, only managed 24,718 yards in his distinguished career that includes 5 NFL titles, the 1966 NFL MVP Award, and many other honors. So, of course, quantity does not always guarantee quality, as we have often illustrated here over the years. Facts.

Someone like Eli Manning may have thrown for over 57,000 yards, but we know he was a mediocre QB. Three guys in the Top 10 for all-time yardage failed to win a Super Bowl, although you could hardly blame Philip Rivers, Matt Ryan, or Dan Marino for that shortcoming. All three of these QB posted significantly better win-loss records than Little Manning—while Rivers and Ryan leave Eli in the dust for QB rating.

How many SB-winning quarterbacks are in this 25,000-Yard Club, as we used to call it? There are 25 of them, actually, and many of those won multiple Super Bowls. Miami Dolphins great Bob Griese is No. 81 on the list with 25,092 passing yards. He won two NFL titles, whereas the QB on the list in front of him? The infamous Ken O’Brien (New York Jets), chosen in the 1983 NFL Draft, was only the 1985 QB Rating champ.

Who do we think the worst QB on the passing list is, subjectively speaking? With a 73.8 QB rating and a mere 81-99 record as a starter, that honor goes to No. 21 Kerry Collins—who started and lost a Super Bowl while “leading” the worst offensive showing in the Big Game ever (zero points, five turnovers). Our general belief for the all-time GOAT at the QB position is in the Top 10, however, and rising still with this season.

Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes is only No. 60 on the list, currently, and he has a long way to go to catch No. 1 (Mr. Big Cheat). It will be interesting to see where the currently active players finish on this list: 11 QBs still on NFL rosters have cracked 25,000 yards already, and a twelfth will be there by the end of this season—maybe a 13th, too. Here’s to a fun 2024 season full of passing yards and more statistical hyperbole. Cheers!