Bold NFL passing yards predictions for 2026-2027 season

Who doesn’t love bold predictions? The start of the 2026 NFL season is a great time for that, so let’s take a look at some bold NFL passing yards predictions for the season.

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Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) runs for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

I’m not sure how much of this is bold and how much of it is just following the buzz Shough created at the end of last season. In 11 games last season, as a rookie (albeit a 25-year-old rookie), Shough threw for 2,384 yards while completing 67.6% of his passes.

In the last four games of the season, though, Shough threw for 1,172 yards. If you extrapolate that over a 17-game season, then Shough would be projected to throw 4,981 yards. By that measure, 4,500 yards is nothing then as he enters his second professional season.

Shough is better adjusted to life in the NFL, and he also has a new fancy weapon in Travis Etienne. Now, let’s see what he can do.

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Aug 13, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) waits for play to resume during a game against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Life as an NFL rookie isn’t easy. When you are a quarterback, things are even more difficult, with a bigger adjustment period necessary. Despite starting all 17 games last season, Ward still only threw for 3,169 yards.

None of his metrics generated any type of confidence, and his best game accounted for 265 passing yards, with five games of at least 250 passing yards. Ward has a new offensive coordinator in Brian Daboll, and the hope is that he’ll be able to unlock his talent and turn it into production. As a second-year player, there’s also some optimism that the worst of the adjustment period is past us.

So far this preseason, that wasn’t exactly the case, but it’s also hard to truly judge someone based on the preseason. With Carnell Tate added through the draft and Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency, Ward has two nice weapons to work with. Let’s see him break the 4,000-yard mark.

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Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

Let’s be clear, we aren’t asking for much here as Murray’s career high in passing yards is only 3,971 yards. He’s struggled with both his health and overall performance, but his supporting cast hasn’t done him any favors either.

There’s a lot to like about the offensive scheme in Minnesota as it relates to quarterbacks, and with Justin Jefferson, Murray has a weapon he never had before. Joining the Vikings represents a fresh start and a second chance, but this could also be his last real chance to show what he can do as a starting quarterback in the NFL. I’m expecting him to have the best passing season of his career.