RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesFootball: Los Angeles Rams QB Norm Van Brocklin (11) in action vs Detroit Lions. Los Angeles, CA 10/31/1954 CREDIT: Mark Kauffman (Photo by Mark Kauffman /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X1953 TK1 R4 F5 )
Heading into the 2026 season, Los Angeles Rams legend Norm Van Brocklin’s single-game passing record has stood for almost 75 years. With all the changes made to benefit the passing game over the years, it’s truly astonishing that Van Brocklin’s mark of 554 yards has stood for this long. That said, which quarterback is most likely to break it this season?
Having a 500-yard passing game is a crowning achievement for single callers. Including the playoffs, there have only been 27 such games in NFL history, with Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady and Drew Brees the only QBs to have thrown for over 500 yards multiple times. Kirk Cousins is the most recent to have done so, throwing for 509 yards in a 2024 win over the Buccaneers.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top candidates to topple Van Brocklin’s record in 2026.
Matthew Stafford
Let’s start with the option closest to home. Stafford once threw for 520 yards as a member of the Lions in the 2011 regular season finale against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Unfortunately, it came in a losing effort, as the quarterback on the opposite sideline, Matt Flynn, threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns in a 45-41 Green Bay win.
Stafford seems like an easy choice given that he’s already a member of the 500 Club and has one of the league’s most explosive offenses at his disposal. However, he’s thrown for at least 450 yards with the Rams once , which came against the Seahawks late last season.
It’s unlikely that he’ll break the record, as he plays in a more balanced offense that doesn’t ask him to pass a ludicrous amount. Never say never, though, considering he plays against the Cardinals twice a year.
Joe Burrow
Out of anyone on this list, Burrow is the most likely to break it.
He has the fourth-most passing yards in a game with 525, which came in a masterclass performance versus the rival Ravens in 2021. The 41-21 win helped Cincinnati secure the AFC North and make a surprise run to that year’s Super Bowl.
With 525 passing yards, @Bengals Joe Burrow finished 30 yards shy of breaking Norm Van Brocklin's @NFL record for a single-game. He is the 1st player to pass for 900 yards vs a single team in a season, breaking the record previously shared by Joe Montana and Dan Marino. pic.twitter.com/6ePZK1jcfr
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) December 26, 2021
With Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in tow, he’ll undoubtedly have another crack to try and break it. Cincy is certainly a pass-happy team, which helps his chances.
Dak Prescott
Similar to the Bengals, America’s Team (barf) loves to air it out, boosting Prescott’s stats significantly.
The Cowboys’ quarterback threw for 502 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-38 win over the upstart Browns. Dallas fell behind 41-14 before scoring 24 unanswered to close the gap to three points. Prescott’s efforts were wasted as Cleveland scored a late touchdown to put the game away. At least Prescott’s stats looked wonderful in the box score, and that’s all that really matters in Big D, right?
Dak Prescott passed for 502 yards in today's game – most of his career and the second-most in a single game in team history. He is only the second quarterback (Tony Romo – 506 vs. Denver, 2013) to pass for 500 yards in a single game in franchise history.
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) October 4, 2020
Joking aside, the Cowboys boast one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL with All-Pros CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. So even when Dallas inevitably disappoints per usual, they have an exciting trio to watch, making Prescott a dark-horse to surpass Van Brocklin.
Jared Goff
I know, I know, this is a controversial pick. But hear me out first!
Goff had his 500-yard game in a Rams uniform, and like most of the quarterbacks on this list, it came in a losing effort. He had 517 yards in a 55-40 loss to the Bucs in Week 4 of the 2019 campaign. That was the good, as he turned the ball over four times, one of which was returned for the deciding touchdown.
Regardless of that bad game, Goff has been remarkably efficient with the Lions. He even came close to becoming the fourth QB with multiple 500-yard games in December 2024, falling six yards shy against the Bills in Detroit’s 48-42 loss.
So why does Goff have a chance this season? The Lions are playing a last place schedule and are set to face cupcakes in the Jets, Dolphins, Cardinals and Titans this season. Expect offensive dominance in those matchups, if not the possibility of an NFL record.
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