In the NFL, few plays change a game faster than a pick-six. A single pass meant for a receiver suddenly turns into a touchdown for the opposing defense. For quarterbacks, it’s one of the worst possible outcomes of a throw.
However, when you look at the list of quarterbacks who have thrown the most pick-sixes in NFL history, something surprising appears: many of the names are legendary quarterbacks and future Hall of Famers.
Why? Because elite quarterbacks throw the ball more often, take bigger risks, and usually play longer careers. Over time, those factors increase the chances of interceptions—and occasionally, interceptions returned for touchdowns.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the top 10 NFL quarterbacks with the most pick-sixes , explore why these numbers happen, and what they reveal about quarterback play in modern football.
What Is a Pick-Six in the NFL?
A pick-six occurs when a defensive player intercepts a pass and returns it all the way to the end zone for a touchdown.
The name comes from two parts:
- Pick – another term for interception
- Six – the six points awarded for a touchdown
Pick-sixes are among the most exciting defensive plays in football because they instantly shift momentum. Not only does the defense stop the offense, but they also score points themselves.
For quarterbacks, however, a pick-six represents both a turnover and points for the opponent—making it one of the most damaging mistakes in the sport.
Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks With the Most thrown Pick-Sixes
Below is the updated list of quarterbacks who have thrown the most interceptions returned for touchdowns in NFL history.
1. Brett Favre – 32 Pick-Sixes
Brett Favre holds the record for the most pick-sixes thrown in NFL history.
Favre’s playing style was famously aggressive. Often described as a “gunslinger,” he regularly attempted difficult throws into tight coverage. While this approach led to spectacular plays and big touchdowns, it also resulted in interceptions.
Favre played for nearly two decades and attempted thousands of passes during his career. His longevity and fearless mentality contributed to his record total of pick-sixes.
Despite this statistic, Favre remains one of the most accomplished quarterbacks ever, with MVP awards, a Super Bowl title, and numerous passing records.
2. Matthew Stafford – 32 Pick-Sixes
Matthew Stafford has tied the all-time record for most pick-sixes thrown.
Stafford entered the league as a strong-armed quarterback known for his ability to make difficult throws downfield. Throughout his career, he often played in pass-heavy offenses where he was responsible for generating large portions of the team’s offense.
Because of this, Stafford attempted a massive number of passes over the years. When a quarterback throws that often, interceptions—including pick-sixes—are bound to happen occasionally.
Even with these turnovers, Stafford has built an impressive career with elite passing numbers and a championship victory.
3. Dan Marino – 29 Pick-Sixes
Dan Marino revolutionized the passing game during the 1980s and 1990s.
Known for his incredibly quick release and powerful arm, Marino frequently pushed the ball downfield. His aggressive passing style helped him produce enormous passing yard totals, especially during an era when many teams relied heavily on running the football.
However, attempting deep passes also increased interception risk. Over the course of his career, Marino threw nearly thirty pick-sixes, placing him among the leaders in NFL history.
Still, he remains widely recognized as one of the greatest pure passers the game has ever seen.
4. Joe Namath – 28 Pick-Sixes
Joe Namath played in a much different era of football.
During the 1960s and 1970s, defensive backs were allowed to play far more physical coverage than today. Passing was far less efficient league-wide, and interceptions were more common.
Namath was known for taking chances downfield, which contributed to his interception totals. Yet his bold style also made him one of the most exciting quarterbacks of his time.
His legacy was cemented when he famously guaranteed victory for his team before one of the biggest championship games in football history—and then delivered on that promise.
5. Drew Brees – 27 Pick-Sixes
Drew Brees is widely regarded as one of the most accurate quarterbacks in NFL history.
So why is he on this list?
The answer is volume. Brees played for two decades and attempted an enormous number of passes in one of the league’s most pass-heavy offensive systems.
Even highly accurate quarterbacks will occasionally throw interceptions when they pass the ball thousands of times over their careers.
Brees finished his career with numerous passing records and remains one of the most productive quarterbacks ever.
6. Peyton Manning – 27 Pick-Sixes
Peyton Manning was famous for his intelligence and ability to read defenses.
Despite that reputation, Manning still appears high on the pick-six list. Like many elite quarterbacks, he spent much of his career leading aggressive passing offenses designed to move the ball quickly through the air.
During his early seasons especially, Manning threw interceptions while learning to read complex NFL defenses.
Over time he developed into one of the greatest quarterbacks in football history, winning multiple MVP awards and championships.
7. Philip Rivers – 26 Pick-Sixes
Philip Rivers was known for his fiery competitiveness and willingness to challenge defenses.
Throughout his career, Rivers rarely hesitated to throw into tight windows if he believed his receiver could make the play. That confidence helped him accumulate massive passing yard totals but also resulted in interceptions.
Rivers’ durability and consistency allowed him to play for many seasons, which ultimately increased his career totals across many passing statistics—including pick-sixes.
8. Carson Palmer – 23 Pick-Sixes
Carson Palmer’s career spanned multiple teams and offensive systems.
He often played in aggressive passing attacks that relied heavily on vertical throws downfield. Those deep passes created big plays but also carried a higher risk of interceptions.
Injuries and comeback seasons also forced Palmer to take chances when trying to spark his teams’ offenses, contributing to his place on this list.
9. Vinny Testaverde – 23 Pick-Sixes
Vinny Testaverde had one of the longest quarterback careers in NFL history.
Playing across multiple decades, he appeared for several teams and threw thousands of passes during his career.
Longevity is a major factor in this statistic. The longer a quarterback plays, the more opportunities there are for interceptions and pick-sixes to occur.
10. Eli Manning – 22 Pick-Sixes
Eli Manning rounds out the top ten quarterbacks with the most pick-sixes.
Early in his career, Manning experienced several seasons with high interception totals. However, he later developed into a reliable leader capable of performing in high-pressure situations.
His two championship victories and clutch postseason performances helped secure his reputation as one of the most successful quarterbacks of his generation.
Why Do Elite Quarterbacks Throw So Many Pick-Sixes?
At first glance, it may seem strange that so many legendary quarterbacks appear on this list.
However, several factors explain why.
1. Passing Volume
Modern NFL offenses rely heavily on passing. Quarterbacks often attempt 500–700 passes per season, greatly increasing interception opportunities.
2. Aggressive Offensive Systems
Teams with explosive passing attacks often encourage quarterbacks to take calculated risks.
Deep throws and tight-window passes create big plays—but they also increase the chance of defensive interceptions.
3. Long Careers
Many quarterbacks on this list played 15–20 seasons in the league. With thousands of attempts over that time, even a small interception rate can add up.
4. Game Situations
Quarterbacks frequently take risks when their team is losing late in games. In those moments, forcing a pass downfield can sometimes result in a defensive touchdown.
Can Active Quarterbacks Break the Pick-Six Record?
It is possible that future quarterbacks could surpass the current record.
The modern NFL continues to evolve toward pass-heavy offenses, meaning quarterbacks throw the ball more than ever before.
As a result, younger quarterbacks with long careers ahead of them could eventually challenge the all-time record for pick-sixes thrown.
However, improved offensive strategies, better quarterback training, and advanced analytics may also reduce interception rates in the future.
Final Thoughts
Pick-sixes are one of the most dramatic plays in football. They can swing momentum instantly and sometimes decide the outcome of a game.
Yet the quarterbacks who appear on the all-time pick-six leaderboard are not failures—they are often some of the most successful players in NFL history.
Their presence on this list reflects longevity, high passing volume, and a willingness to take risks in order to win games.
In football, greatness often comes with bold decision-making, and occasionally, those bold decisions turn into touchdowns for the other team.
FAQs on NFL QBs With the Most Pick-6s
What is a pick-six in the NFL?
A pick-six occurs when a defensive player intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown, scoring six points for the defense.
Which quarterback has thrown the most pick-sixes in NFL history?
Brett Favre and Matthew Stafford currently share the record for the most pick-sixes thrown in NFL history.
Why do great quarterbacks throw pick-sixes?
Great quarterbacks often throw many passes over long careers and take aggressive risks, which increases the chances of interceptions being returned for touchdowns.
Are pick-sixes common in the NFL?
Pick-sixes are relatively rare compared to normal interceptions because the defender must not only catch the pass but also return it all the way to the end zone.
Can current NFL quarterbacks break the pick-six record?
Yes. Because modern offenses rely heavily on passing, active quarterbacks with long careers could eventually challenge or break the current record.