What are passing yards?

Passing yards measure completed-pass gains or losses from the line of scrimmage. They include the receiver's progress after the catch, not just the ball's flight through the air.

For example, a pass caught 7 yards beyond the line followed by an 11-yard run produces 18 passing yards. The same play ordinarily gives the receiver 18 receiving yards; those are two views of one gain, not 36 yards of team offense.