Dan Marino became the first NFL quarterback to tally 5,000 passing yards in a single season. Perhaps he could have reached loftier heights if playing today.
During a Wednesday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, the Miami Dolphins legend was asked if he could throw for 7,000 or 8,000 yards in today’s more passing-friendly environment. Marino credited his offense as innovators before making any bold proclamations.
“The rules have changed and all that, but the one thing I would say is, we were kind of a little bit ahead of our time,” Marino said.
Knowing it was just a theoretical what-if, he lightheartedly claimed he could set the new record today.
“Do I now think we can throw for 6,000 yards? I don’t have to prove it … If you don’t have to prove it, you can say it. So yeah, 6,000 yards.”
“The rules have changed and I would say our offense was a little bit ahead of it’s time..
I don’t have to prove it so yes I could throw for 6,000 yards” 😂😂 ~ @DanMarino #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/EdkBQEoSAd
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 7, 2024
Marino set a new benchmark with 5,084 yards in 1984 that stood until Drew Brees and Tom Brady surpassed him in 2011. Peyton Manning holds the record with 5,477 in 2013.
Nine quarterbacks, including four active players (Patrick Mahomes, Jameis Winston, Matthew Stafford, and Justin Herbert), are members of the increasingly welcoming 5,000-yard club.
Marino finished five seasons atop the NFL passing leaderboard. He’s the only quarterback in the top 10 of career passing yards who didn’t play during the 21st century.
Perhaps Marino would have dominated even more if he played in Mike McDaniel’s high-octane offense in a league with more restrictions on defenders.