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Ranking the NFC South's all-time TD pass leaders: Who trails Drew Brees?
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- Ranking the NFC South's all-time TD pass leaders: Who trails Drew Brees?
The NFC South was once the cream of the crop when it came to quarterback play in the NFL. During the 2010s, the division boasted three elite signal-callers who helped define an era of football. Two of them made Super Bowl appearances in consecutive seasons while earning NFL MVP honors, while the third built a résumé that speaks for itself as a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2026.
A division once ruled by the likes of Cam Newton , Matt Ryan , and Drew Brees set an incredibly high standard for those who followed. Their success not only elevated their respective franchises but also transformed the NFC South into one of the league's premier divisions for quarterback play. Year after year, predicting who would be crowned kings of the South became increasingly difficult because of the elite talent and tremendous consistency those three brought to the field.
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Whether it was Brees carving up defenses in New Orleans , Ryan leading Atlanta 's high-powered offenses, or Newton's electrifying dual-threat ability in Carolina, the division was defined by elite quarterback talent for more than a decade. As a result, every new signal-caller who enters the NFC South will face being measured against the legacy left behind by those franchise icons.
With that in mind, we're taking a look back at the quarterbacks who left the biggest mark on their respective franchises by ranking the all-time passing touchdown leaders in the NFC South.
1. QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (2006-2020): 491 touchdowns
Nov 8, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
2. QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (2008-2021): 367 touchdowns
Nov 10, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) warms up before a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
3. QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (2011-2021): 186 touchdowns
Jan 7, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after throwing a pass for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
4. QB Jameis Winston , Tampa Bay Buccaneers / New Orleans Saints (2015-2023): 141 touchdowns
TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 08: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints stands on the field during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
5. QB Jake Delhomme, New Orleans Saints/ Carolina Panthers (1997-2009): 120 touchdowns
BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 8: Quarterback Jake Delhomme #12 of the New Orleans Saints looks to hand off the ball against the Baltimore Ravens at Ravens Stadium on December 8, 2002 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Saints defeated the Ravens 37-25. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
6. QB Tom Brady , Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-2022): 108 touchdowns
TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 27: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signals at the line of scrimmage against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 27, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
7. QB Baker Mayfield , Carolina Panthers/ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2022-2025): 101 touchdowns
Dec 7, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks to throw downfield during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
8. QB Aaron Brooks, New Orleans Saints (2000-2005): 85 touchdowns
Oct 5, 2003; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints quarterback (2) Aaron Brooks in action against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Preston Mack-USA TODAY Sports
9. Josh Freeman , Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009-2013): 80 touchdowns
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers passes during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on October 21, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
10. Michael Vick , Atlanta Falcons (2001-2006): 69 touchdowns
Sep 25, 2006; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback (7) Michael Vick throws a pass during the 4th quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. The Monday Night Football game was the first event in the Louisiana Superdome a year after it was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina and used as a shelter from the storm by tens of thousands of people. The Saints won the game 23-3. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2006 Jason Parkhurst
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Ranking NFC South all-time TD pass leaders: Who trails Drew Brees?
