NFL · Records · Most rushing yards in a season
NFL records
Most rushing yards in a season
Eric Dickerson, 2,105 in 1984.
Eric Dickerson had 2,105 rushing yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984, in 16 games: the NFL record. In 2026, Bijan Robinson leads with 704 through 7 games, on pace for 1,710.
The 2026 leaders against the record
Player
Now
G
Pace
Bijan Robinson704
7
1,710
Kenneth Walker III701
6
1,986
James Cook III627
6
1,777
Jahmyr Gibbs620
6
1,757
Jonathan Taylor587
7
1,426
Derrick Henry579
7
1,406
Jaylen Warren561
7
1,362
Bucky Irving558
7
1,355
Kyren Williams492
7
1,195
Tony Pollard478
7
1,161
Pace is the total so far over the team's games played, times 17. The record is 2,105. Updated every few hours; full leaders on the NFL stat leaders page.
How the record moved
1984
Eric DickersonLos Angeles Rams
2,1051973
O. J. SimpsonBuffalo Bills
2,0031963
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
1,8631958
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
1,5271947
Spec SandersNew York Yankees (AAFC)
1,4321947
Steve Van BurenPhiladelphia Eagles
1,0081934
Beattie FeathersChicago Bears
1,0041933
Jim MusickBoston Redskins
8091932
Cliff BattlesBoston Braves
576The 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, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 19658
Steve Van Buren1945, 1947, 1948, 19494
O. J. Simpson1972, 1973, 1975, 19764
Eric Dickerson1983, 1984, 1986, 19884
Barry Sanders1990, 1994, 1996, 19974
Emmitt Smith1991, 1992, 1993, 19954
Joe Perry1949, 1953, 19543
Earl Campbell1978, 1979, 19803
Adrian Peterson2008, 2012, 20153
Cliff Battles1932, 19372
Byron White1938, 19402
Bill Dudley1942, 19462
Every season's leader
Year
Player
Yds
G
20251,62117
James CookBuffalo Bills
20242,00516
Saquon BarkleyPhiladelphia Eagles
2023
1,45916
Christian McCaffreySan Francisco 49ers
2022
1,65317
Josh JacobsLas Vegas Raiders
20211,81117
Jonathan TaylorIndianapolis Colts
20202,02716
Derrick HenryTennessee Titans
20191,54015
Derrick HenryTennessee Titans
2018
1,43415
Ezekiel ElliottDallas Cowboys
20171,32716
Kareem HuntKansas City Chiefs
20161,63115
Ezekiel ElliottDallas Cowboys
2015
1,48516
Adrian PetersonMinnesota Vikings
20141,84516
DeMarco MurrayDallas Cowboys
20131,60716
LeSean McCoyPhiladelphia Eagles
20122,09716
Adrian PetersonMinnesota Vikings
2011
1,60616
Maurice Jones-DrewJacksonville Jaguars
2010
1,61616
Arian FosterHouston Texans
20092,00616
Chris JohnsonTennessee Titans
20081,76016
Adrian PetersonMinnesota Vikings
2007
1,47416
LaDainian TomlinsonSan Diego Chargers
20061,81516
LaDainian TomlinsonSan Diego Chargers
2005
1,88016
Shaun AlexanderSeattle Seahawks
2004
1,69716
Curtis MartinNew York Jets
20032,06616
Jamal LewisBaltimore Ravens
2002
1,85316
Ricky WilliamsMiami Dolphins
20011,55516
Priest HolmesKansas City Chiefs
20001,70916
Edgerrin JamesIndianapolis Colts
19991,55316
Edgerrin JamesIndianapolis Colts
1998
2,00816
Terrell DavisDenver Broncos
19972,05316
Barry SandersDetroit Lions
19961,55316
Barry SandersDetroit Lions
19951,77316
Emmitt SmithDallas Cowboys
19941,88316
Barry SandersDetroit Lions
19931,48614
Emmitt SmithDallas Cowboys
19921,71316
Emmitt SmithDallas Cowboys
19911,56316
Emmitt SmithDallas Cowboys
19901,30416
Barry SandersDetroit Lions
19891,48016
Christian OkoyeKansas City Chiefs
19881,65916
Eric DickersonIndianapolis Colts
19871,37415
Charles WhiteLos Angeles Rams
19861,82116
Eric DickersonLos Angeles Rams
19851,75916
Marcus AllenLos Angeles Raiders
19842,10516
Eric DickersonLos Angeles Rams
19831,80816
Eric DickersonLos Angeles Rams
19827869
Freeman McNeilNew York Jets
1981
1,67416
George RogersNew Orleans Saints
19801,93415
Earl CampbellHouston Oilers
19791,69716
Earl CampbellHouston Oilers
19781,45015
Earl CampbellHouston Oilers
19771,85214
Walter PaytonChicago Bears
19761,50314
O. J. SimpsonBuffalo Bills
19751,81714
O. J. SimpsonBuffalo Bills
19741,40714
Otis ArmstrongDenver Broncos
19732,00314
O. J. SimpsonBuffalo Bills
19721,25114
O. J. SimpsonBuffalo Bills
19711,13314
Floyd LittleDenver Broncos
19701,12514
Larry BrownWashington Redskins
196987314
Dickie PostSan Diego Chargers · AFL
19691,03214
Gale SayersChicago Bears
1968
1,02314
Paul RobinsonCincinnati Bengals · AFL
19681,23914
Leroy KellyCleveland Browns
1967
1,21614
Jim NanceBoston Patriots · AFL
19671,20514
Leroy KellyCleveland Browns
19661,45814
Jim NanceBoston Patriots · AFL
19661,23114
Gale SayersChicago Bears
19651,12114
Paul LoweSan Diego Chargers · AFL
19651,54414
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
196498114
Cookie GilchristBuffalo Bills · AFL
19641,44614
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
19631,09914
Clem DanielsOakland Raiders · AFL
19631,86314
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
19621,09614
Cookie GilchristBuffalo Bills · AFL
1962
1,47414
Jim TaylorGreen Bay Packers
196194814
Billy CannonHouston Oilers · AFL
19611,40814
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
196087514
Abner HaynesDallas Texans · AFL
19601,25712
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
19591,32912
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
19581,52712
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
195794212
Jim BrownCleveland Browns
19561,12612
Rick CasaresChicago Bears
195596112
Alan AmecheBaltimore Colts
19541,04912
Joe PerrySan Francisco 49ers
19531,01812
Joe PerrySan Francisco 49ers
195289412
Dan TowlerLos Angeles Rams
1951
97112
Eddie PriceNew York Giants
195081012
Marion MotleyCleveland Browns
194978311
Joe PerrySan Francisco 49ers · AAFC
19491,14612
Steve Van BurenPhiladelphia Eagles
194896414
Marion MotleyCleveland Browns · AAFC
194894512
Steve Van BurenPhiladelphia Eagles
19471,43214
Spec SandersNew York Yankees · AAFC
19471,00812
Steve Van BurenPhiladelphia Eagles
194670913
Spec SandersNew York Yankees · AAFC
194660411
Bill DudleyPittsburgh Steelers
194583210
Steve Van BurenPhiladelphia Eagles
194473710
Bill PaschalNew York Giants
194357210
Bill PaschalNew York Giants
194269611
Bill DudleyPittsburgh Steelers
194148611
Pug MandersBrooklyn Dodgers
194051411
Byron WhiteDetroit Lions
193969911
Bill OsmanskiChicago Bears
193856711
Byron WhitePittsburgh Pirates
193787411
Cliff BattlesWashington Redskins
193683012
Tuffy LeemansNew York Giants
1935
49912
Doug RussellChicago Cardinals
19341,00413
Beattie FeathersChicago Bears
193380912
Jim MusickBoston Redskins
193257610
Cliff BattlesBoston Braves
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 yards in a season?
2,105, by Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. It broke O. J. Simpson's 2,003 from 1973.
Who leads the NFL in rushing yards in 2026?
Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons, with 704 in 7 games. That is a pace of 1,710 over 17 games, 395 short of the record.
Who led the NFL in rushing yards in 2025?
James Cook of the Buffalo Bills, with 1,621.
Who has led the NFL in rushing yards the most times?
Jim Brown, 8 times (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964 and 1965).
Which team has had the most rushing yards leaders?
The Cleveland Browns, 12 seasons, counted by franchise today.