Most touchdowns in a season is one statistic that stands out as the pinnacle of offensive prowess. Touchdowns are the currency of success in football, and the players who find the end zone with remarkable frequency etch their names into the annals of NFL history.
We list out the top NFL players in history with the most touchdowns in a single NFL season.
Most Touchdowns in A Season
List of most touchdowns in a single NFL season includes the NFL legendary QBs like Dan Marino and Patrick Mahomes from past and present. With their exceptional skills, determination, and consistency players got their name on the list of most touchdowns in a single NFL season.
#10 Tom Brady (2020), Andrew Luck (2014), Aaron Rodgers (2016), and Russel Wilson (2020) – 40 Touchdowns
Tom Brady in 2020 completed 40 touchdowns in a season in Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Andrew Luck in 2014 did this for the Indianapolis Colts, Aaron Rodgers in 2016 threw 40 touchdowns playing for Green Bay Packers, and Russel Wilson did the same in 2020, playing for Seattle Seahawks.
#09 Patrick Mahomes (2022), Matthew Stafford (2011, 2021) and Kurt Warner (1999) – 41 Touchdowns
Three players shared the 9th position for the most touchdowns in a season: Patrick Mahomes achieved the 41 total touchdown record in 2022, Matthew Stafford threw 41 touchdowns in two different years, 2011 and 2021, and Kurt Warner in 1991 completed 41 touchdowns while playing for St. Louis Rams.
#08 Tom Brady (2021) & Drew Brees (2012) – 43 Touchdowns
Tom Brady and Drew Brees share a spot in our top 10 touchdown list, each scoring an impressive 43 touchdowns in a single season.
Tom Brady’s Feat (2021): In the 2021 NFL season, Brady, the seasoned quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, showcased his enduring skill by reaching the end zone 43 times. A testament to his continued excellence on the field.
Drew Brees’ Legacy (2012): Rewind to 9 years earlier, and Drew Brees making history with the New Orleans Saints. In a remarkable season, Brees made 43 touchdowns, leaving an enduring mark on the league.
#07 Dan Marino (1986) – 44 Touchdowns
Dan Marino is known as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. In 1986, Marino led the Miami Dolphins and ended the season with a record 44 touchdowns. With the amazing performance of Marino and the team, the Dolphins ended the season with 8 wins and 8 losses.
In Marino’s 16 years long NFL career he played only for the Miami Dolphins. Rushed the 61,361 passing yards, 420 total touchdowns, and 59.4 completion percentage. Marino holds so many records in his NFL career, but, unfortunately, never being on a Super Bowl winner.
#06 Aaron Rodgers (2011) – 45 Touchdowns
Aaron Rodgers completed 45 touchdowns in the NFL season in 2011. He played as quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. With his exceptional leadership, he led the Packers to record 15 victories and only one loss in that season.
Unfortunately, the Packers lost the playoff game against the New York Giants with a score of 20 – 37. After playing for 17 years for the Packers, in 2023, Rodgers joined the New York Gets.
With outstanding performance, Rodgers won NFL Most Valuable Player, NFL Passer Rating leader, Associated Press Athlete of the Year, and the Bert Bell Award in 2011.
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#05 Drew Brees (2011) – 46 Touchdowns
Drew broke his previous record of 43 touchdowns in a single NFL season in 2011 with 46 touchdowns. He played as quarterback for the New Orleans Saints in the 2011 season. Under his leadership in that season, the Saints won 13 games and only lost 3 games.
With his outstanding performance in 2011, Brees won AP Offensive Player of The Year and Passing Leader awards.
The Saints won the wild card game against the Detroit Lions with a score of 45 – 28 in the playoffs. Lost the divisional round by a score of 32 – 36 versus the San Francisco 49ers.
#04 Aaron Rodgers (2020) and Dan Marino (1984) – 48 Touchdowns
Aaron Rodgers and Dan Marion are again on the list, this time in 6th position with more touchdowns than the previous record.
Aaron Rodgers won the 3rd Most Valuable Player Award in NFL season 2020 with his remarkable performance as QB for the Green Bay Packers. Under his leadership in season 2020, the Packers won 13 games and lost 3 games. Won the divisional round against the Los Angeles Rams by a score of 32 – 18 and lost the Conference Championship game against the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers also won the Super Bowl.
Dan Marino achieved the milestone of 48 touchdowns in a single NFL season in 1984 with his performance and also won the NFL Most Valuable Player award in that season. In the NFL season 1984, Marino led the Dolphins to the Super Bowl, but unfortunately, they lost to the 49ers. The Miami Dolphins won 14 games out of 16 in their road-to-playoff games that season.
Along with the MVP award, Marino won Offensive Player of The Year and Passing Leader awards in 1984.
#03 Peyton Manning (2004) – 49 Touchdowns
Peyton Manning is a legend of football with amazing NFL career stats 71940 passing yards and 539 touchdowns. In NFL season 2004, Manning threw 49 touchdowns, the highest in that season while playing for the Indianapolis Colts, and won NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of The Year awards.
Under Manning’s leadership that season Colts won 12 and lost 4 road to playoff games. Won a wild card game against the Broncos and lost Divisional Round games against the Patriots.
#02 Tom Brady (2007) and Patrick Mahomes (2018) – 50 Touchdowns
Tom Brady became the first NFL player in history to reach the milestone of 50 touchdowns in a single NFL season while playing for the New England Patriots, and Patrick Mahomes equaled the record in 2018 playing as QB for the Kansas City Chiefs.
#01 Peyton Manning (2013) – 55 Touchdowns
Peyton Manning holds the record for most touchdowns in a season of the National Football League (NFL). Peyton Manning completed 55 touchdowns in the NFL season in 2013 while playing as QB for the Denver Broncos.
