3. Top 10 All-Time: Passing Yards
The obvious asterisk is that passing statistics in the modern NFL are inflated by the changes in the rules and overall playing style. Players still have to break the mold, however, and Eli Manning’s production ranks amongst the all-time elite.
The New York Giants legend may have a high interceptions count, but his total passing yards and passing touchdowns are undeniably tremendous.
Manning currently ranks No. 8 all-time with 48,218 career passing yards. It’s within reason that Manning could pass Warren Moon for No. 7 all-time at 49,325 passing yards, as well as John Elway at No. 6 at 51,475 passing yards, as soon as 2017.
Manning would need just 1,008 yards to pass Moon in 2017, and would need 3,258 yards to pass Elway for No. 6—Hall of Fame level rankings.
Manning admittedly hasn’t put forth many elite seasons, but his sustained success is tough to ignore. He has an outside shot at entering the Top 5 on the all-time passing list, but even if he doesn’t, he’s already high in the Top 10.
Manning being the NFL’s contemporary ironman isn’t something to hold against him, and that makes his production all the more intriguing.