Tom Brady sets new NFL record with 485 completions in a season

Posted by Michael David Smith on January 9, 2022, 8:59 PM EST
Carolina Panthers v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady added another one to his large collection of NFL records today.

Brady completed 29 passes in today’s win over the Panthers, bringing him to a season total of 485 completions. That’s a new NFL record. The previous record was 471 completions in a season, set by Drew Brees in 2016.

Brees, of course, set his record in a 16-game season, and Brady broke it in the 17th game of this season, so Brees’ record is arguably more impressive. Brady’s per-game average of 28.5 completions a game this season is not as good as Brees’ mark of 29.5 completions a game in 2016.

Although Brady has led the NFL in many statistical categories through the years, the 2021 season was the first time in Brady’s career that he has led the NFL in completions.

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30 responses to “Tom Brady sets new NFL record with 485 completions in a season”

  2. It’s the NFL who added a 18th game not Tom Brady. I heard a few other records set today, it doesn’t make them any less important. The league has changed the length of the season before. Yet records are being claimed all the time. The game itself has changed too. The definition of a catch, forward progress, two feet In inbounds, are among other changes, yet records are still recognized.
    Congrats Tom.

  3. Brees also played a lot of his games in a dome. It certainly matters. Rodgers and Brady never came close to Brees’ completion percentage averages because playing outside is more challenging, especially if it’s cold.

  4. Brees is a champion. But the last 12 years of his career was all about passing records, stopping the game for photos, and generally being a second tier QB to the really great ones. Nice guy by all accounts, and I’m sure the people of NOLA are proud fans of the guy. But it’s not a bad thing for every one of Brees’ League records will be eclipsed by his betters.

  5. dangguy says:
    January 9, 2022 at 9:12 pm
    It’s the NFL who added a 18th game not Tom Brady.

    ——-

    17

  6. Brees record was playing at least 9 games in domes, That is something to consider if you want to start with which is more impressive?

  7. LOL

    Again, why BB walked.

    Brady is more focused on self promotion and personal stats than he is winning games. It’s wby they should have lost to the Jets last week.

  8. Brady is more focused on self promotion and personal stats than he is winning games. It’s wby they should have lost to the Jets last week.

    as

    —-

    This comment doesn’t even make sense.. “they should have lost to the Jets because he’s more worried about stats than winning games” ????

    Like I said before, stop trying so hard.

  9. gor3hound says:
    January 9, 2022 at 9:21 pm
    Brees record was playing at least 9 games in domes, That is something to consider if you want to start with which is more impressive?

    —

    Exactly people conveniently forget that.

    Do you know how many home games Brees played. I’m the Rain , wind , warm weather , cold weather..? Zero.

    Do you know how many home games he played in PERFECT conditions? all of them ! By B

  10. Even though Brady had an extra game , his is more impressive than Brees cause he actually throw the ball down the field , not a bunch of screens to Kamara.

  11. Brees played a lot of indoor games, but Brady played a lot of AFC East games so same same.

  12. New record for completions and 2nd most passing attempts in NFL history. Congrats.

  15. flash1224 says:
    January 9, 2022 at 9:38 pm
    Brady is more focused on self promotion and personal stats than he is winning games. It’s wby they should have lost to the Jets last week.

    as

    —-

    This comment doesn’t even make sense.. “they should have lost to the Jets because he’s more worried about stats than winning games” ????

    Like I said before, stop trying so hard.

    44 4 Rate This

    ———————-

    The Giants SB losses and 45 pass attempts with leads say hello.

    LOL

    Do you see the parallel? Of course you don’t. You think Brady never made a mistake in his life.

    I remember when Peyton Manning used to throw from the 2 yard line all the time and then lose in the playoffs. Brees did it, too, at the end. He used to try to chase those stats to make it seem like it was mostly his doing.

  16. touchback6 says:
    January 9, 2022 at 10:28 pm

    ________________________________

    The Giants SB losses and 45 pass attempts with leads say hello.

    LOL

    Do you see the parallel? Of course you don’t. You think Brady never made a mistake in his life.

    I remember when Peyton Manning used to throw from the 2 yard line all the time and then lose in the playoffs. Brees did it, too, at the end. He used to try to chase those stats to make it seem like it was mostly his doing.

    ____________________________________

    He threw the ball a ton and still does because he can, because it wins games, and is the strength of the team and was the strength of the Patriots. They couldn’t run the ball against the Giants, and the Bucs couldn’t run the ball consistently this year.

    You realize all of his stats helped the Patriots get to 9 and win 6 super bowls, right? If or when Mac becomes elite and can carry the team, he too will throw the ball 45+ time in many games going forward.

  20. Hate to disagree with writer about impressiveness of Brady’s achievement here versus Brees. Different playing styles, different conditions, etc…. If we start comparing 16 games season to 17 games now, we can argue about 14 games season to 16 as well (Patriots can consider themselves unbeaten as well in 14 games compared to Dolphins records)…

    Point is – these are done in different eras… Brees could have stuck around for a 17 games season as well. What is impressive is Brady doing and breaking all these records during different eras and evolution of sport at this age when his peers have stopped playing and retired… Marvel at achievements while it lasts !!!!

  21. Wow,Mike Florio is amazing this is the best site ever. Keep it up you guys are the best

  22. jaytee says:
    January 9, 2022 at 10:44 pm

    I remember when Peyton Manning used to throw from the 2 yard line all the time and then lose in the playoffs. Brees did it, too, at the end.

    ______________

    That might be relevant, and you might have a point if not for one small problem: Brady has 7 Super Bowl rings and played in three others. He’s won more playoff games than either Manning or Brees even played in.

    Clearly the reason he throws the ball so much is because he’s kind of good at it.

  23. All records should be season total & per game avg for yr. Would bring back due credit to those who played in 12 & 14 game seasons but have been swallowed up by ever lengthening seasons. Jerry Rice setting single season TD rec record of 22 over 12 games in strike shortened 1987 is more impressive than Randy Moss 23 in 16 games. Lets keep records in perspective.

  24. Two-yard Tommy loves to pad his stats.

    AB was brought in simply for that.

    If you think he’ll win another ring, you can forget about that.

  25. Brees has the 16 game record and brady has now set the 17 game record two different records.

  26. When Arians wanted to take Brady out, Tom was seen on camera mouthing “not now” and “this isn’t over yet” right before the Panthers pulled within one score. And with a quick turnover and Gabbert not warmed up, Brady put on his helmet and could be seen saying to someone “Don’t take me out.” He went in, completed a pass, and then got pulled. Too bad, because the Great Blaine Gabbert looked awful as usual. But Alas, Tom Brady has earned MVP…again.

  28. jeremycrowhurst says:
    January 9, 2022 at 11:44 pm
    The idea that anybody is thinking of Rogers for MVP is ridiculous.

    ——————————————————————-

    Yeah but I’m not thinking Brady either…..

  30. “so Brees’ record is arguably more impressive” – this is a ridiculous statement

    its true about just about every NFL record like this is it not? you could argue impressive all day long about each one. Solution would be annualize all the numbers but you can’t do that because how would you know if Bree’s would have gotten injured on the first snap of game 17 etc. or for any of the records that are broken in this fashion

    so why don’t we just stop with the subtle digs and just celebrate what all these men have achieved. we all know there are more games now and we also know TJ Watt actually owns the sack record because Farvre handed the sack record to Strahan ( I saw that live – it was truly shameful )

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