Our countdown to the start of the New Orleans Saints‘ 2025 regular season has reached Day 62, which means this record-breaking 62-yard touchdown pass is the Saints Play of the Day. Drew Brees made NFL history back in 2018. You can watch it for yourself right here.
Brees found rookie receiver Tre’Quan Smith running down the sideline after a Washington coverage bust left him wide open; he caught the pass at the 37-yard line and ran, nearly untouched, another 30 yards into the end zone for his first career touchdown catch. This broke the NFL’s all-time passing yards record, which Brees took from his longtime rival Peyton Manning (who had a great reaction to the big moment).
It was electric. Dozens of Brees’ teammates rallied around him to celebrate his achievement. The Superdome was rocking, and the Saints won in prime time with a not-even-close final score of 43-19. The 2018 season became, arguably, the greatest regular season in franchise history, and this big play from Brees to Smith remains one of its brightest highlights.
Tom Brady later won the career passing yards record, but without as much fanfare.
