Honestly, if you look at the names on the list of nfl rushing touchdown leaders, it feels a bit like walking through a museum of a lost era. It’s a group of guys who didn’t just play football; they survived it. We're talking about the days when a lead back would touch the ball 350 times a year until their knees basically turned into dust.
Emmitt Smith sits at the top with 164. That number is just stupid. To put that in perspective, a player would need to average 10 rushing touchdowns a season for over 16 years just to catch him. In today's NFL? Good luck. You've got committees, dual-threat quarterbacks stealing goal-line looks, and a general league-wide allergy to giving a running back a massive second contract.
The Mount Rushmore of the End Zone
When we talk about the all-time greats, it starts and ends with Emmitt. He wasn't the fastest or the biggest, but the dude was available. Every. Single. Sunday. He punched in 25 touchdowns in 1995 alone. You don't see that anymore unless you're playing Madden on rookie mode.
Behind him is LaDainian Tomlinson with 145. LT was a cheat code. If you grew up watching the powder blue Chargers, you remember that "jump-cut and dive" over the pile. He still holds the single-season record with 28 rushing scores in 2006. That season was legendary; he was basically a guaranteed six points every time San Diego crossed the 20-yard line.
Then there’s Marcus Allen (123). He was the ultimate red-zone weapon. Most people forget he spent a huge chunk of his career in a weird power struggle with Al Davis and the Raiders, which probably cost him even higher numbers. Still, he found a way to the paint.
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The Top 10 Rushing TD Leaders (All-Time)
- Emmitt Smith: 164
- LaDainian Tomlinson: 145
- Marcus Allen: 123
- Derrick Henry: 122 (and counting)
- Adrian Peterson: 120
- Walter Payton: 110
- Jim Brown: 106
- John Riggins: 104
- Shaun Alexander: 100
- Marshall Faulk: 100
The Modern King: Derrick Henry’s Pursuit
It's 2026, and "King Henry" is still doing King Henry things. He recently moved into fourth place all-time after an absolute masterclass against the Packers where he found the end zone four times. He’s sitting at 122. He's only one score away from tying Marcus Allen for third.
What’s crazy about Henry is how he’s defied the "age wall." Most backs fall off a cliff at 30. Henry? He’s 32 and still looks like he's built out of granite. He’s the only player in history to score four rushing touchdowns in a single game for two different franchises (Titans and Ravens).
People used to say nobody would ever touch the top five again because the game changed. Henry basically looked at that narrative and ran right through its chest. He’s currently the active leader in just about every meaningful rushing category.
The Quarterback Problem (For Running Backs)
If you're wondering why more modern running backs aren't flying up the list of nfl rushing touchdown leaders, look at the guys under center.
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The "Vulture" is real.
Josh Allen has 79 career rushing touchdowns. Read that again. He’s a quarterback, and he has more career rushing scores than Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett (77). Jalen Hurts is right there too with 63. When your QB is 240 pounds and the team's primary goal-line option, the running back's stats are going to take a hit.
It makes what guys like Jonathan Taylor and Christian McCaffrey are doing even more impressive. Taylor just put up 18 rushing scores in the 2025 season, tying his career high. He’s currently at 69 career rushing TDs. He's young enough to make a real run at the top 10, but he’s gotta stay healthy in an era where the ground game is increasingly a "by-committee" approach.
Why 100 is the New 150
Reaching 100 career rushing touchdowns is the modern-day equivalent of the 500-home run club in baseball. It’s the gold standard for Hall of Fame induction.
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Take Shaun Alexander or Marshall Faulk. Both hit exactly 100. Faulk was a different breed—a guy who could beat you in the air or on the ground—but his ability to finish drives is what made those "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams teams impossible to stop.
Barry Sanders ended with 99. Just one shy. It’s a stat that still bothers some Lions fans, though Barry probably couldn't care less. He walked away at the peak of his powers. If he had played even two more seasons, he’s likely sitting at number two on this list.
Looking Ahead: Who’s Next?
If you’re tracking the next generation of nfl rushing touchdown leaders, keep your eyes on the young guys who are getting high-volume touches early.
- Josh Jacobs: He’s got 74. He's a grinder. If he stays in a run-heavy system, 100 is very reachable.
- Jahmyr Gibbs: He’s got 39 already and he’s only been in the league for a few years. His nose for the end zone is elite.
- Saquon Barkley: At 55, he’s had some bad luck with injuries, but when he’s on, he’s a touchdown machine.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Stat Nerds
If you’re trying to predict who will climb the ranks, don't just look at talent. Look at the offensive line and the play-caller.
- Monitor Red Zone Carry Percentage: Talent doesn't matter if the coach calls a fade route on 1st-and-goal from the two. Players on teams with "tush-push" QBs or pass-heavy red zone schemes will always have lower TD ceilings.
- Follow Injury Reports Closely: Running back is the most volatile position in sports. A single high-ankle sprain can derail a chase for a milestone.
- Value Versatility: In modern fantasy and real-world football, the "bell cow" is rare. The leaders of the future will be the guys who can stay on the field for all three downs.
The reality is that Emmitt Smith’s 164 is likely safe for our lifetimes. But watching Derrick Henry try to chase down Marcus Allen and LT? That’s the kind of history we should be appreciating while it’s still happening. We're witnessing the last of the true volume kings.
Next Steps to Deepen Your Knowledge:
- Analyze the 2025 Season Splits: Check out how many of Jonathan Taylor’s 18 touchdowns came from inside the 5-yard line compared to explosive runs.
- Compare Rushing vs. Total TDs: Look into how many "total" touchdowns Christian McCaffrey has—adding his 36 receiving scores to his 62 rushing scores—to see how he stacks up in the all-time scoring conversation.
- Track the 2026 Season Opener: See if Derrick Henry can tie Marcus Allen in Week 1 of the upcoming season.