The NFL is enjoying an era of quarterbacking prowess the likes of which has never before been seen. The top three quarterbacks in career passer ratings — Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Tom Brady — all participated in last season’s playoffs, which culminated with Brady winning his fifth Super Bowl.
NFL PASSER RATING
Since 1973, passer rating has been the official formula used by the NFL to determine its passing leader. The stat is generated from a formula applied to a player’s passing attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions. The resultant number ranges from 0 to 158.3 — the latter being considered a “perfect” game from a passing perspective.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Rodgers, currently recovering from a collarbone injury, is the all-time career leader in passer rating, followed by the Seattle Seahawks QB Wilson and New England Patriots QB Brady.
UPDATED December 6, 2017
1) AARON RODGERS — 104.1
Rodgers career passer rating of 103.8 makes him the lone quarterback in league history to have a number north of 100. His 2011 rating of 122.5 still holds as the benchmark for a season’s work. In 2009, Rodgers recorded his best single game rating of 155.4, which came in a 31-3 victory over the Cleveland Browns. In that game he racked up 246 yards and 3 touchdowns while completing 75 percent of his passes.
Statistical Overview
% Passes Completed
% Wins As Starter
104.1
122.5
155.4
2) RUSSELL WILSON — 99.1
Wilson’s career passer rating (99.1) slipped under 100 after he posted a 92.6 mark for the 2016 season. In 2015, he had his best season with a 110.1 rating. In 2013, Wilson posted his best single game rating of 151.4 in a 41-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. In that game he tallied 230 yards and two touchdowns while completing 72.22 percent of his passes.
2016-17 Season
% Passes Completed
% Wins As Starter
99.1
110.1
151.4
3) TOM BRADY — 97.8
Brady’s career passer rating (97.5) inched up after he posted a 112.2 mark for the 2016 season. In 2007, he had his best season with a 117.2 rating while leading the Patriots to a 16-0 record. Brady has twice thrown for perfect passer ratings of 158.3, first in a 49-28 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in 2007, then again in a 45-24 victory over the Detroit Lions during the 2010 season.
2016-17 Season
% Passes Completed
% Wins As Starter
97.8
117.2
158.3
NFL CAREER PASSER RATING LEADERS
Incredibly, seven of the top ten leaders in career passer rating are active players. Two of Brady’s opponents from last year’s playoffs, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, are currently tied at No. 10.
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