NFL · Records · Most rushing touchdowns in a season
NFL records
Most rushing touchdowns in a season
LaDainian Tomlinson, 28 in 2006.
LaDainian Tomlinson had 28 rushing touchdowns for the San Diego Chargers in 2006, in 16 games: the NFL record. In 2026, Christian McCaffrey leads with 8 through 7 games, on pace for 19.
The 2026 leaders against the record
Player
Now
G
Pace
Christian McCaffrey8
7
19
Josh Allen8
6
23
Jonathan Taylor8
7
19
Javonte Williams8
7
19
Derrick Henry7
7
17
D'Andre Swift7
7
17
Jahmyr Gibbs7
6
20
James Cook III6
6
17
Kenneth Walker III6
6
17
Kyren Williams5
7
12
Pace is the total so far over the team's games played, times 17. The record is 28. Updated every few hours; full leaders on the NFL stat leaders page.
How the record moved
2006
LaDainian TomlinsonSan Diego Chargers
282005
Shaun AlexanderSeattle Seahawks, tied the record
272003
Priest HolmesKansas City Chiefs
271995
Emmitt SmithDallas Cowboys
251983
John RigginsWashington Redskins
241981
Chuck MuncieSan Diego Chargers, tied the record
191979
Earl CampbellHouston Oilers, tied the record
191962
Jim TaylorGreen Bay Packers
191947
Spec SandersNew York Yankees (AAFC)
181945
Steve Van BurenPhiladelphia Eagles
151943
Bill PaschalNew York Giants
101940
Johnny DrakeCleveland Rams, tied the record
91939
Johnny DrakeCleveland Rams
91934
Beattie FeathersChicago Bears, tied the record
81934
Dutch ClarkDetroit Lions
81933
Glenn PresnellPortsmouth Spartans
61932
Bronko NagurskiChicago Bears
4The NFL's record book counts the AFL (1960-69) and, since 2025, the AAFC (1946-49) as well.
Most seasons leading the league
Jim Brown1957, 1958, 1959, 1963, 19655
Steve Van Buren1945, 1947, 1948, 19494
Cookie Gilchrist1962, 1963, 1964, 19654
Dutch Clark1934, 1936, 19373
Joe Perry1948, 1949, 19533
Abner Haynes1960, 1961, 19623
Leroy Kelly1966, 1967, 19683
Emmitt Smith1992, 1994, 19953
LaDainian Tomlinson2004, 2006, 20073
Derrick Henry2019, 2020, 20243
Johnny Drake1939, 19402
Bill Paschal1943, 19442
Every season's leader
Year
Player
TD
G
20251817
Jonathan TaylorIndianapolis Colts
20241617
Derrick HenryBaltimore Ravens
20241617
Jahmyr GibbsDetroit Lions
20241616
James CookBuffalo Bills
2023
1815
Raheem MostertMiami Dolphins
20221717
Jamaal WilliamsDetroit Lions
20211817
Jonathan TaylorIndianapolis Colts
20201716
Derrick HenryTennessee Titans
20191616
Aaron JonesGreen Bay Packers
20191615
Derrick HenryTennessee Titans
20181714
Todd GurleyLos Angeles Rams
20171315
Todd GurleyLos Angeles Rams
2016
1816
LeGarrette BlountNew England Patriots
2015
1116
DeAngelo WilliamsPittsburgh Steelers
2015
1116
Adrian PetersonMinnesota Vikings
2015
1116
Jeremy HillCincinnati Bengals
2015
1115
Devonta FreemanAtlanta Falcons
20141316
DeMarco MurrayDallas Cowboys
20141316
Marshawn LynchSeattle Seahawks
20131216
Marshawn LynchSeattle Seahawks
20131215
Jamaal CharlesKansas City Chiefs
2012
1516
Arian FosterHouston Texans
20111715
LeSean McCoyPhiladelphia Eagles
20101616
Arian FosterHouston Texans
20091816
Adrian PetersonMinnesota Vikings
2008
1816
DeAngelo WilliamsCarolina Panthers
20071516
LaDainian TomlinsonSan Diego Chargers
20062816
LaDainian TomlinsonSan Diego Chargers
20052716
Shaun AlexanderSeattle Seahawks
20041715
LaDainian TomlinsonSan Diego Chargers
20032716
Priest HolmesKansas City Chiefs
20022114
Priest HolmesKansas City Chiefs
20011416
Shaun AlexanderSeattle Seahawks
20001814
Marshall FaulkSt. Louis Rams
19991714
Stephen DavisWashington Redskins
1998
2116
Terrell DavisDenver Broncos
19971515
Terrell DavisDenver Broncos
19971516
Abdul-Karim al-JabbarMiami Dolphins
19962116
Terry AllenWashington Redskins
19952516
Emmitt SmithDallas Cowboys
19942115
Emmitt SmithDallas Cowboys
19931216
Marcus AllenKansas City Chiefs
19921816
Emmitt SmithDallas Cowboys
19911615
Barry SandersDetroit Lions
19901415
Cleveland GaryLos Angeles Rams
19901416
Derrick FennerSeattle Seahawks
19891516
Greg BellLos Angeles Rams
19881616
Greg BellLos Angeles Rams
19871115
Charles WhiteLos Angeles Rams
1987
1111
Johnny HectorNew York Jets
19861815
George RogersWashington Redskins
19852116
Joe MorrisNew York Giants
19841414
John RigginsWashington Redskins
19841416
Eric DickersonLos Angeles Rams
19832415
John RigginsWashington Redskins
1982
119
Marcus AllenLos Angeles Raiders
19811915
Chuck MuncieSan Diego Chargers
19801316
Billy SimsDetroit Lions
19801315
Earl CampbellHouston Oilers
19791916
Earl CampbellHouston Oilers
19781412
David SimsSeattle Seahawks
19771414
Walter PaytonChicago Bears
19761414
Franco HarrisPittsburgh Steelers
19751614
O. J. SimpsonBuffalo Bills
19751614
Pete BanaszakOakland Raiders
19741114
Tom SullivanPhiladelphia Eagles
19731214
O. J. SimpsonBuffalo Bills
19731214
Floyd LittleDenver Broncos
19721214
Mercury MorrisMiami Dolphins
19711111
Duane ThomasDallas Cowboys
1970
1114
MacArthur LaneSt. Louis Cardinals
1969914
Jim KiickMiami Dolphins · AFL
19691114
Tom MatteBaltimore Colts
1968814
Paul RobinsonCincinnati Bengals · AFL
1968
1614
Leroy KellyCleveland Browns
1967108
Emerson BoozerNew York Jets · AFL
19671114
Leroy KellyCleveland Browns
19661114
Jim NanceBoston Patriots · AFL
19661514
Leroy KellyCleveland Browns
1965614
Curtis McClintonKansas City Chiefs · AFL
1965614
Paul LoweSan Diego Chargers · AFL
1965614
Cookie GilchristDenver Broncos · AFL
1965614
Wray CarltonBuffalo Bills · AFL
19651714
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
1964614
Daryle LamonicaBuffalo Bills · AFL
1964614
Cookie GilchristBuffalo Bills · AFL
1964614
Sid BlanksHouston Oilers · AFL
19641614
Lenny MooreBaltimore Colts
19631214
Cookie GilchristBuffalo Bills · AFL
19631214
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
19621314
Abner HaynesDallas Texans · AFL
19621314
Cookie GilchristBuffalo Bills · AFL
19621914
Jim TaylorGreen Bay Packers
1961914
Paul LoweSan Diego Chargers · AFL
1961914
Abner HaynesDallas Texans · AFL
19611514
Jim TaylorGreen Bay Packers
1960914
Abner HaynesDallas Texans · AFL
19601312
Paul HornungGreen Bay Packers
19591412
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
19581712
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
1957912
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
19561212
Rick CasaresChicago Bears
1955912
Alan AmecheBaltimore Colts
19541112
Dan TowlerLos Angeles Rams
19531012
Joe PerrySan Francisco 49ers
19521012
Dan TowlerLos Angeles Rams
1951912
Rob GoodeWashington Redskins
19501112
Johnny LujackChicago Bears
1949811
Joe PerrySan Francisco 49ers · AAFC
1949811
Marion MotleyCleveland Browns · AAFC
19491112
Steve Van BurenPhiladelphia Eagles
19481014
Joe PerrySan Francisco 49ers · AAFC
19481014
Chet MutrynBuffalo Bills · AAFC
19481011
Steve Van BurenPhiladelphia Eagles
19471814
Spec SandersNew York Yankees · AAFC
19471312
Steve Van BurenPhiladelphia Eagles
1946613
Spec SandersNew York Yankees · AAFC
1946614
John KimbroughLos Angeles Dons · AAFC
1946613
Don GreenwoodCleveland Browns · AAFC
1946610
Len EshmontSan Francisco 49ers · AAFC
1946911
Ted FritschGreen Bay Packers
19451510
Steve Van BurenPhiladelphia Eagles
1944910
Bill PaschalNew York Giants
1943109
Bill PaschalNew York Giants
1942810
Gary FamigliettiChicago Bears
1941811
Hugh GallarneauChicago Bears
1940911
Johnny DrakeCleveland Rams
1939911
Johnny DrakeCleveland Rams
193869
Andy FarkasWashington Redskins
1937511
Clarke HinkleGreen Bay Packers
1937511
Dutch ClarkDetroit Lions
1937510
Cliff BattlesWashington Redskins
1936712
Dutch ClarkDetroit Lions
1935612
Ernie CaddelDetroit Lions
1934811
Beattie FeathersChicago Bears
1934812
Dutch ClarkDetroit Lions
1933611
Glenn PresnellPortsmouth Spartans
1932414
Bronko NagurskiChicago Bears
Team names as they were that season. G is games played. Seasons ran 17 games from 2021, 16 from 1978 and 14 from 1961, fewer before, so older totals came in fewer games.
League leaders by team
Seasons a player of the franchise led the league, including its years under another name or in another city.
Questions
What is the NFL record for rushing touchdowns in a season?
28, by LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers in 2006. It broke Priest Holmes's 27 from 2003.
Who leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2026?
Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers, with 8 in 7 games. That is a pace of 19 over 17 games, 9 short of the record.
Who led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2025?
Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts, with 18.
Who has led the NFL in rushing touchdowns the most times?
Jim Brown, 5 times (1957, 1958, 1959, 1963 and 1965).
Which team has had the most rushing touchdowns leaders?
The Los Angeles Rams, 12 seasons, counted by franchise today.