NFL Stats Leader 2021: Who has the most passing yards heading into Week 9?

The NFL season is now eight weeks old and offenses all over the league are thriving. Fans should be prepared to see records get shattered with the extra game on the NFL schedule in 2021.

The midway point of the season is here as Week 9 approaches. Let's take a look at the passing yards leaders so far this season:

Who has the most passing yards in the NFL heading into Week 9?

#5 - Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders: 2,269 passing yards

Derek Carr is fifth in passing yards with 2,269. He has put up that whopping total in only seven games. Everyone else in the top-five has played eight. So once he catches up, he'll likely stay atop this list for the remainder of the season.

Carr went 31/34 for 323 yards in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Las Vegas Raiders' last outing. He threw for over 400 yards in Week 1 and had four other games with over 300 yards passing.

Carr and the Raiders are an impressive 5-2 and seem to be rolling without Jon Gruden. However, they now have to see if the absence of Henry Ruggs will derail the offense. Having a veteran in Carr leading the way should limit any significant disruptions.

#4 - Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: 2,276 passing yards

Kyler Murray remained on this list even after his worst game of the season last Thursday. The Arizona Cardinals lost their undefeated mark and Murray threw two interceptions. Yet, he still managed to throw for 274 passing yards to bump his season total to 2,276.

Murray has had one substantial passing game this season, but he has been highly consistent. He threw for exactly 400 yards in a win over the Minnesota Vikings. He has not eclipsed the 300-yard mark in a game since Week 3.

The defense has been a calling card for the Cardinals this year and they still only lost to the Green Bay Packers by a final score of 27-24. A better game from Murray, or a better pass in the dying moments of the game, could have been the difference.

New York Giants v Kansas City Chiefs

NFL passing yards leaders: The top 3 heading into Week 9

#3 - Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: 2,368 passing yards

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are not playing up to their usual standards in 2021. The quarterback has had a below-par season and, by his own admission, needs to do better. But the bar is way too high for Mahomes, considering he is third in the NFL with 2,368 passing yards and is still facing criticism.

The quarterback threw for a modest 275 yards Monday night in a close win over the New York Giants to help the Chiefs improve to 4-4 on the year. It was an excellent bounce-back game for Mahomes after throwing for only 206 yards in an ugly loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 8.

The Chiefs not rolling over NFL opponents regularly with Mahomes is a shocking sight. But he is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and as long as that is true, the Chiefs remain a top contender.

#2 - Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: 2,477 passing yards

Matthew Stafford continues to play at an MVP level as a member of the Los Angeles Rams. He has 2,477 passing yards this season. Stafford torched the Houston Texans' defense for 305 yards in an easy victory last Sunday.

Stafford has reached the 300-yard mark five times this year and also has 22 touchdown passes. The NFL veteran has always been known for putting up great stats, but they never truly mattered because the Detroit Lions were bad.

But Stafford's incredible performances have led the Rams to victories this season. If he keeps up this pace, it will be hard to ignore him in the MVP voting.

#1 - Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2,650 passing yards

Tom Brady is back atop the NFL's passing yards leader list with 2,650 yards on the year. The ageless wonder threw for 375 yards in what ended up being a loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. A late Brady pick-6 doomed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but they are still more than happy to have him under center.

Brady is just automatic and has been for the past two decades. What he is doing this year comes as no surprise to anyone who has watched him play during his NFL career. Ultimately, him choosing to retire may be the only way to slow him down.