Honestly, if you looked at the box scores in September, you probably thought the NFL had finally broken. Scoring was down, "shell" coverages were suffocating every deep shot, and everyone was complaining about how boring the games had become. But then, things got weird. NFL QB stats this year ended up telling a story of a massive mid-season shift where the old guard and a few shocking new faces basically blew the roof off the league.
We aren't just seeing the same old names like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen dominating. While they're still there, the 2025-26 season has been defined by a 37-year-old in Los Angeles who refuses to age and a sophomore in New England who might actually be the "chosen one."
The Stat King Nobody Expected
If you had Matthew Stafford leading the league in almost every meaningful category on your bingo card, you’re either a liar or a die-hard Rams fan. Stafford didn't just play well; he turned back the clock to 2011. He finished the regular season with a massive 4,707 passing yards.
But yards are just empty calories if you don't score. Stafford took care of that too, tossing a league-high 46 touchdowns. That’s basically 2.7 scores every single time he stepped on the field. What’s even crazier is that 33 of those touchdowns happened inside the red zone. He was surgical. When the Rams got close, they didn't run the "tush push" or get cute with end-arounds. They just let Stafford pick apart secondaries.
Stafford's completion percentage sat at a cool 65.0%, and he did all this while only throwing 8 interceptions. For a guy who has a reputation for being a "gunslinger" who takes risks, that efficiency is basically unheard of for him.
Drake Maye and the Sophomore Surge
New England hasn't had much to cheer about lately, but Drake Maye changed the vibe in Foxborough almost overnight. Most people expected a "developmental year," but Maye finished with 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns.
The most annoying stat for the rest of the AFC East? His 72.0% completion rate. That was the best in the NFL for any full-time starter. He wasn't just throwing check-downs, either. He averaged 8.9 yards per attempt, which means he was pushing the ball down the field and still hitting his targets.
He also added about 450 yards on the ground. He’s basically the prototype for the modern "dual-threat" QB who prioritizes the pass but can kill you with his legs if you leave the middle of the field open.
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The Josh Allen "One Man Show"
Josh Allen is still the most chaotic force in football. He ended the year with 3,668 passing yards, which is actually a bit low for him. But don't let that fool you into thinking he had a bad year.
Allen is currently the all-time QB leader in rushing touchdowns for a reason. This year, he notched 14 rushing touchdowns. When you combine his passing and rushing scores, he account for 39 touchdowns total. He also led all quarterbacks in rushing yards with 579.
The Bills' offense basically boils down to: "Josh, go do something." And most of the time, he did. He led the league in fantasy points per dropback against zone coverage because he just waits for a window to open or creates one by running over a linebacker.
Jared Goff and the Detroit Machine
Detroit is a juggernaut, and Jared Goff is the steady hand steering the ship. He finished second in passing yards with 4,564 and had 34 touchdowns.
The weird thing about Goff is that his stats are almost identical to last year, but the games felt harder. Detroit’s offensive line took some hits, and Goff was sacked 38 times. Despite the pressure, he remained one of the most accurate pocket passers in the league, finishing with a 105.5 passer rating.
Quick Look at the Yardage Leaders
- Matthew Stafford (LAR): 4,707 yards
- Jared Goff (DET): 4,564 yards
- Dak Prescott (DAL): 4,552 yards
- Drake Maye (NE): 4,394 yards
- Sam Darnold (SEA): 4,048 yards
The Sam Darnold Renaissance is Real
Wait, Sam Darnold? Yeah, seriously.
After bouncing around the league and being labeled a "bust," Darnold found a home in Seattle. He benefited from a massive breakout season by Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the NFL in receiving yards. Darnold finished with over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Now, he did throw 14 interceptions, which was the highest among the top-tier guys. He still has those "what was he thinking?" moments, but in Klint Kubiak's offense, the Seahawks are fine with the occasional pick because they're scoring so much elsewhere.
What Happened to Mahomes and Lamar?
This is where the stats get a little depressing if you're a fan of the big-name superstars.
Patrick Mahomes had a "down" year by his standards. He played 14 games and finished with 3,587 yards and 22 touchdowns. He struggled with an uncharacteristic 11 interceptions. The Chiefs shifted their identity a bit this year, leaning more on the defense and the run game, which meant Mahomes didn't have to be a superhero every week.
Lamar Jackson’s season was a total heartbreaker. He started the year looking like a back-to-back MVP favorite, posting a 103.8 passer rating through the first two months. Then the injuries hit. A hamstring issue followed by a back injury limited him to just 13 games. He finished with 2,549 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. The Ravens missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021, and a lot of that came down to the fact that Lamar just wasn't healthy enough to carry the load in December.
The Rookie Report: Mixed Bag
The 2025 rookie class was... interesting.
Cam Ward in Tennessee was the workhorse. He played over 1,000 snaps, which is rare for a rookie QB these days. He threw for 3,169 yards and 15 touchdowns. The problem? He fumbled 11 times. If he can fix the ball security, he’s going to be a problem for the AFC South.
Jaxson Dart with the Giants was a total roller coaster. He had some of the most highlight-reel-worthy runs of the season, finishing with 9 rushing touchdowns and nearly 500 rushing yards. But he only threw for 2,272 yards. He’s very much a work in progress as a passer, but the rushing floor makes him a fantasy football darling already.
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Caleb Williams in Chicago showed flashes of why he was a #1 pick, setting a Bears rookie record with 3,942 yards. However, he was statistically the most erratic passer in the league, ranking dead last in completion percentage against zone coverage (59.8%).
The "Efficiency" Era
If there’s one thing to take away from NFL QB stats this year, it's that efficiency is king. We are seeing a record-high scramble rate (5.5% of all dropbacks) because defenses are so good at taking away the first and second reads.
The QBs who thrived this year—like Stafford, Maye, and Purdy (before his injury)—were the ones who could either navigate a muddy pocket or wait out the defense to find the "shot" play.
Key Takeaways for Your Next Sports Debate
- Age is just a number: Stafford (37) and Aaron Rodgers (42, playing for Pittsburgh) both finished with solid stats, with Rodgers throwing 24 touchdowns and only 7 picks.
- Volume vs. Value: Dak Prescott led the league in completions (404), but many of those came while the Cowboys were trailing.
- The "Pressure" Award: Justin Herbert made the playoffs despite being pressured on 43.3% of his dropbacks, the highest in the league.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're looking at these stats to figure out what happens next year, focus on Pass Success Rate rather than just total yards. Drake Maye has the 4th highest success rate of any QB through their first two years in history—joining a list that includes Mahomes and Dan Marino. That's a huge indicator that his "breakout" isn't a fluke.
Also, keep an eye on the rushing trends. Scramble rates are climbing every year. If your favorite team has a "statue" in the pocket, they are likely going to struggle as defensive coordinators continue to master the art of the disguised blitz.
- Check the Supporting Cast: Sam Darnold's success was tied directly to Jaxon Smith-Njigba's growth. When betting or drafting for fantasy, look for QBs with a clear Alpha receiver.
- Watch the Red Zone Efficiency: Stafford’s 33 red zone touchdowns are an outlier. Expect that to regress next year, so don't overvalue him in 2026 drafts.
- Follow Injury Reports Early: Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow (turf toe) both had their seasons derailed by injuries that seemed minor at first. In the modern NFL, a limited mobile QB is a vulnerable QB.