List of QBs with most passing yards in first four seasons.

[Mike M (the other one)]

I get annoyed when people try to compare players from 10 years ago to now.
The rules have changed, passing is much easier now than it was then.
10 years ago, getting over 4k yards meant a good season from your QB.
Fast forward to now, 4k is not the same, since 2007, none of the single season passing leaders have had less than 4,700 passing yards. Seriously, Brees by himself has had 5 5k seasons (just missed 6 5k seasons, 48 yards shy last season). Prior to 2007 you have to go all the way back to Marino busting 5k in 1984.

If you want to compare Andy vs Peyton, then compare them by where they ranked in passing yards in their respective seasons.

IE Mannings first 4 years vs Dalton's first 4 years.
Manning:
98 - 3739 yards Ranked: 3rd
99 - 4135 yards Ranked: 3rd
00 - 4413 yards Ranked: 1st
01 - 4131 yards Ranked: 2nd

Dalton:
11 - 3398 yards Ranked: 16th
12 - 3669 yards Ranked: 16th
13 - 4293 yards Ranked: 7th
14 - 3398 yards Ranked: 15th

Palmer:
04 - 2897 yards Ranked: 19th (missed 3 games, using 222 yards/game, it would've bumped him up to ~10th)
05 - 3836 yards Ranked: 4th
06 - 4035 yards Ranked: 5th
07 - 4131 yards Ranked: 5th

Ok... looks like '13 was more of an anomaly than the norm for Dalton, while Peyton's worst year was better than Palmer's best years and Palmer's worst year wasn't too far off from Dalton's best year (if you factor in a full season).

What does this tell us?
Peyton and Palmer were special and Dalton is just slightly better than average.