The Best Individual NFL Offensive Seasons in the Last Decade
Throughout the last decade, the NFL has enjoyed a remarkable wave of elite offensive production.
From a record-setting year for Peyton Manning in 2013 to Travis Kelce's sustained dominance in the 2020s, dozens of players have put together truly memorable—and occasionally even iconic—stat lines.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, for example, is on the verge of joining that crowd in 2023. While he chases history, though, we're looking back at the last 10 years and applauding some amazing seasons from quarterbacks, running backs, wideouts and tight ends.
The list is focused on regular-season impact and production, although playoff results may be mentioned. Within each position, the choices are ordered chronologically.
Quarterbacks
1 of 4
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos (2013)
Oh, you know, just the greatest QB season of the 2000s. Peyton Manning set NFL records with 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns in a simply incredible year. Four different players caught 10-plus scores from Manning, who earned his fifth MVP honor and propelled the Broncos to an AFC title.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (2016)
The final position came down to Cam Newton's spectacular 2015 campaign and Matt Ryan's stellar 2016. Really, there's no wrong choice, but Ryan's efficiency made the difference. He averaged 9.3 yards per attempt, which at the time was the second-highest mark for a QB since the AFL-NFL merger. Ryan finished with 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns to seven interceptions, winning the MVP and leading the Falcons to an NFC title.
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (2018)
Following the 2017 season, Andy Reid took a calculated risk and moved on from veteran Alex Smith in favor of second-year player Patrick Mahomes. And, uh, good choice. He threw for 5,097 yards and a league-best 50 touchdowns, adding 272 rushing yards and two more scores. Mahomes landed his first of (at least) two MVPs.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (2019)
One year later, the Ravens unleashed their dual-threat superstar. Lamar Jackson passed for 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns to only six interceptions and rushed for 1,206 yards with seven scores. MVP voters unanimously chose Jackson, who guided Baltimore to a 14-2 record.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (2020)
If you prefer 2014, great! But either way, Aaron Rodgers has a place on the list. He paced the NFL in both completion percentage (70.7) and touchdown passes (48) while tossing just five interceptions. The league MVP threw for 4,299 yards, chipping in 149 more with three scores as a runner. Green Bay went 13-3.
Running Backs
2 of 4
DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys (2014)
Between him and Pittsburgh Steelers star Le'Veon Bell, pretty great year for running backs! DeMarco Murray tallied NFL-high marks of 1,845 rushing and 2,261 scrimmage yards, winning AP Offensive Player of the Year. Along with his 57 receptions, Murray scored 13 touchdowns.
Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams (2017)
Sean McVay's arrival in 2017 unlocked Todd Gurley's peak production. While rushing for 1,305 yards and a league-best 13 scores, he snared 64 passes for 788 yards and six touchdowns. Gurley won AP Offensive Player of the Year and finished as the MVP runner-up.
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers (2019)
During the 2019 season, Christian McCaffrey became only the third player ever to surpass 1,000 rushing and receiving yards. He scampered for 1,387 yards and reeled in 116 passes for 1,005 yards, registering NFL-best totals of 2,392 scrimmage yards—the third-highest clip in history—and 19 touchdowns. The wildest part? Carolina went 5-11.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans (2020)
After leading the NFL in both rushing yards and touchdowns in 2019, Derrick Henry repeated the feat in 2020. The bulldozing back rumbled to 2,027 yards—only the eighth 2,000-yard season in NFL history—and 17 scores, cruising to Offensive Player of the Year.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (2021)
As a rookie, Jonathan Taylor collected 1,468 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns. Not a bad debut, you know? Well, he followed that up with 1,811 rushing yards, 40 receptions for 360 yards and 21 total touchdowns. Even stronger encore, I'd say. Taylor, a first-team AP All-Pro, ended as the runner-up in Offensive Player of the Year voting.
Wide Receivers
3 of 4
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers (2015)
Antonio Brown paced the NFL in both receptions (129) and yards (1,698) while snagging 13 touchdowns. Oh, that was in 2014. Yeah, the reality of that season not even making a top-five cut is madness. Brown snagged a league-high 136 passes in 2015, registering 1,834 yards and 10 scores. He finished second in AP Offensive Player of the Year voting.
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons (2015)
The same season, Julio Jones shared the receptions lead with Brown at 136 and gathered an NFL-best 1,871 yards. He scored eight touchdowns, playing an integral part of Matt Ryan's MVP-winning campaign and the Falcons' run to their second NFC title in franchise history.
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints (2019)
Drew Brees and Michael Thomas formed a lethal duo from 2016 to '19, and the connection peaked in 2019. Thomas set a single-season NFL record with 149 receptions, also leading the league with 1,725 yards and catching nine scores. He became the second wide receiver—joining Jerry Rice—to win AP Offensive Player of the Year.
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers (2020)
One year later, the Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams pairing took the spotlight. While his QB won another MVP, Adams—despite missing two games—made 115 catches for 1,374 yards and 18 scores. Only two players (Rice and Randy Moss) ever had more touchdowns in a season.
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (2021)
The simplest way to describe Cooper Kupp's brilliance in 2021 is that he finished with 92-plus yards in every game except one. Defenders simply could not stop him. Kupp achieved his position's Triple Crown, leading the NFL with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. Best of all, the AP Offensive Player of the Year capped the season with a championship and Super Bowl MVP.
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Tight Ends
4 of 4
Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (2013)
Although he totaled more receptions and yards in 2011, Jimmy Graham made the end zone his second home in 2013. Graham snagged an NFL-leading 16 touchdowns among his 86 catches for 1,215 yards.
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots (2014)
There's a fine argument to include both the 2014 and 2015 campaigns from Rob Gronkowski. However, I'll lean toward the former because of context. He'd missed nine games during the 2013 season but bounced back to corral 82 passes for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014. Not only did Gronk win AP Comeback Player of the Year, the New England Patriots won a Super Bowl, too.
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (2018)
Also during this season, the San Francisco 49ers enjoyed a breakout year from George Kittle. The problem is Travis Kelce doubled up his touchdown total and commanded first-team All-Pro honors. Kelce amassed 103 receptions for 1,336 yards and 10 scores in the first season of a league-altering connection with Patrick Mahomes.
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (2020)
To date, 2020 is the most impressive year of Kelce's brilliant career. Across 15 appearances, he made 105 catches for 1,416 yards (setting an NFL record for a tight end) and 11 touchdowns. Kelce finished fourth in Offensive Player of the Year voting.
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (2022)
As for his most productive year, however, that arrived in 2022. Kelce brought in career-best marks of 110 receptions and 12 touchdowns, closing the campaign with 1,338 yards. He secured All-Pro recognition for the seventh consecutive year and won a second Super Bowl.
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