List of NFL annual sacks leaders

Last updated

Michael Strahan 2022 (cropped).jpg
T.J. Watt (51653079007).jpg
Michael Strahan (left) and T. J. Watt (right) hold the official single-season record for sacks with 22.5.

This is a list of National Football League (NFL) players who have led the regular season in sacks each year. Sacks became an official statistic in 1982 and sacks from years prior do not count towards a player's career total. [1] Michael Strahan of the New York Giants and T. J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers hold the official record with 22.5, which Strahan set during the 2001 season, and Watt matched during the 2021 season. [2] In 2013, the NFL created the Deacon Jones Award to recognize the annual leader in sacks. [3] Since 1982, there have only been two players who have led the league in sacks with two different teams, Jared Allen (2007 with the Chiefs and 2011 with the Vikings) and Kevin Greene (1994 with the Steelers and 1996 with the Panthers). The Chiefs and the Vikings have had the most players lead the NFL in sacks with four. Seven players have been the league leader in sacks twice, while T. J. Watt has led the league three times.

Contents

NFL annual sacks leaders

Jared Allen led the league in sacks in 2007 and 2011. Jared Allen.jpg
Jared Allen led the league in sacks in 2007 and 2011.
Al Baker is the unofficial NFL record holder with 23 sacks during the 1978 NFL season. Al Baker 2014.jpg
Al Baker is the unofficial NFL record holder with 23 sacks during the 1978 NFL season.
The Deacon Jones Award, given annually to the player who leads the league in sacks, is named after Deacon Jones. Jones unofficially led the league in sacks 5 times. Deacon Jones in 1971 Brady Bunch promo.jpg
The Deacon Jones Award, given annually to the player who leads the league in sacks, is named after Deacon Jones. Jones unofficially led the league in sacks 5 times.
Key
SymbolMeaning
LeaderThe player who recorded the most sacks in the NFL
SacksThe total number of sacks the player had
GPThe number of games played by a player during the season
† Pro Football Hall of Fame member
^The player is an active player
*Player set the single-season sacks record
(#)Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list

Note that the sack totals from 1960 to 1981 are considered unofficial by the NFL. [4] [5]

NFL annual sacks leaders by season
SeasonLeaderSacksGPTeamRefs
1960 Gino Marchetti †11.0*12 Baltimore Colts [6] [7]
1961 Gene Lipscomb 17.5*14 Pittsburgh Steelers [6] [8]
1962 Jim Katcavage 16.014 New York Giants [6] [9]
1963 Jim Katcavage (2)20.5*14 New York Giants [6] [9]
1964 Deacon Jones †22.0*14 Los Angeles Rams [6] [10]
1965 Deacon Jones † (2)19.014 Los Angeles Rams [6] [10]
1966 George Andrie 18.514 Dallas Cowboys [6] [11]
1967 Deacon Jones † (3)21.514 Los Angeles Rams [6] [10]
1968 Deacon Jones † (4)22.014 Los Angeles Rams [6] [10]
1969 Carl Eller †15.014 Minnesota Vikings [6] [12]
Deacon Jones † (5) Los Angeles Rams [6] [10]
1970 Tony Cline 17.514 Oakland Raiders [6] [13]
1971 Cedrick Hardman 18.014 San Francisco 49ers [6] [14]
1972 Jack Gregory 18.514 New York Giants [6] [15]
1973 Bill Stanfill 18.514 Miami Dolphins [6] [16]
1974 Fred Dryer 15.014 Los Angeles Rams [6] [17]
Jack Youngblood † [6] [18]
1975 John Dutton 18.014 Baltimore Colts [6] [19]
1976 Coy Bacon 21.514 Cincinnati Bengals [6] [20]
1977 Harvey Martin 20.014 Dallas Cowboys [6] [21]
1978 Al Baker 23.0*16 Detroit Lions [6] [22]
1979 Jack Youngblood † (2)20.516 Los Angeles Rams [6] [18]
1980 Al Baker (2)17.515 Detroit Lions [6] [22]
Gary Johnson San Diego Chargers [6] [23]
1981 Joe Klecko †20.516 New York Jets [6] [24]
1982 Doug Martin 11.59 Minnesota Vikings [6] [25]
1983 Mark Gastineau 19.016 New York Jets [6] [26]
1984 Mark Gastineau (2)22.016 New York Jets [6] [26]
1985 Richard Dent †17.016 Chicago Bears [6] [27]
1986 Lawrence Taylor †20.516 New York Giants [6] [28]
1987 Reggie White †21.012 Philadelphia Eagles [6] [29]
1988 Reggie White † (2)18.016 Philadelphia Eagles [6] [29]
1989 Chris Doleman †21.016 Minnesota Vikings [6] [30]
1990 Derrick Thomas †20.015 Kansas City Chiefs [6] [31]
1991 Pat Swilling 17.016 New Orleans Saints [6] [32]
1992 Clyde Simmons 19.016 Philadelphia Eagles [6] [33]
1993 Neil Smith 15.016 Kansas City Chiefs [6] [34]
1994 Kevin Greene †14.016 Pittsburgh Steelers [6] [35]
1995 Bryce Paup 17.515 Buffalo Bills [6] [36]
1996 Kevin Greene † (2)14.516 Carolina Panthers [6] [35]
1997 John Randle †15.516 Minnesota Vikings [6] [37]
1998 Michael Sinclair 16.516 Seattle Seahawks [6] [38]
1999 Kevin Carter 17.016 St. Louis Rams [6] [39]
2000 La'Roi Glover 17.016 New Orleans Saints [6] [40]
2001 Michael Strahan †22.516 New York Giants [6] [41]
2002 Jason Taylor †18.516 Miami Dolphins [6] [42]
2003 Michael Strahan † (2)18.516 New York Giants [6] [41]
2004 Dwight Freeney †16.016 Indianapolis Colts [6] [43]
2005 Derrick Burgess 16.016 Oakland Raiders [6] [44]
2006 Shawne Merriman 17.012 San Diego Chargers [6] [45]
2007 Jared Allen 15.514 Kansas City Chiefs [6] [46]
2008 DeMarcus Ware †20.016 Dallas Cowboys [6] [47]
2009 Elvis Dumervil 17.016 Denver Broncos [6] [48]
2010 DeMarcus Ware † (2)15.516 Dallas Cowboys [6] [47]
2011 Jared Allen (2)22.016 Minnesota Vikings [6] [46]
2012 J. J. Watt 20.516 Houston Texans [6] [49]
2013 Robert Mathis 19.516 Indianapolis Colts [6] [50]
2014 Justin Houston 22.016 Kansas City Chiefs [6] [51]
2015 J. J. Watt (2)17.516 Houston Texans [6] [49]
2016 Vic Beasley 15.516 Atlanta Falcons [6] [52]
2017 Chandler Jones 17.016 Arizona Cardinals [6] [53]
2018 Aaron Donald 20.516 Los Angeles Rams [6] [54]
2019 Shaquil Barrett 19.516 Tampa Bay Buccaneers [6] [55]
2020 T. J. Watt ^15.015 Pittsburgh Steelers [6] [56]
2021 T. J. Watt ^ (2)22.515 Pittsburgh Steelers [6] [56]
2022 Nick Bosa ^18.516 San Francisco 49ers [6] [57]
2023 T. J. Watt ^ (3)19.017 Pittsburgh Steelers [6] [56]

AFL annual sacks leaders

Key
SymbolMeaning
LeaderThe player who recorded the most sacks in the AFL
SacksThe total number of sacks the player had
GPThe number of games played by a player during the season
*Player set the single-season sacks record
(#)Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list
AFL annual sacks leaders by season
SeasonLeaderSacksGPTeamRefs
1960 Mel Branch 10.0*14 Dallas Texans [6] [58]
Riley Morris 12 Oakland Raiders [6] [59]
1961 Ed Husmann 8.014 Houston Oilers [6] [60]
Ron Nery San Diego Chargers [6] [61]
1962 Ed Husmann (2)10.014 Houston Oilers [6] [60]
1963 Larry Eisenhauer 8.014 Boston Patriots [6] [62]
1964 Tom Sestak 15.5*14 Buffalo Bills [6] [63]
1965 Larry Eisenhauer (2)9.514 Boston Patriots [6] [62]
1966 Verlon Biggs 12.514 New York Jets [6] [64]
1967 Ike Lassiter 17.0*14 Oakland Raiders [6] [65]
1968 Gerry Philbin 14.014 New York Jets [6] [66]
1969 Steve DeLong 15.514 San Diego Chargers [6] [67]

Most seasons leading the league

CountPlayerSeasonsTeam(s)Ref.
5 Deacon Jones 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969 Los Angeles Rams [10]
3 T. J. Watt 2020, 2021, 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers [56]
2 Jared Allen 2007, 2011 Kansas City Chiefs / Minnesota Vikings [46]
Al Baker 1978, 1980 Detroit Lions [22]
Mark Gastineau 1983, 1984 New York Jets [26]
Kevin Greene 1994, 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers / Carolina Panthers [35]
Jim Katcavage 1962, 1963 New York Giants [9]
Michael Strahan 2001, 2003 New York Giants [41]
DeMarcus Ware 2008, 2010 Dallas Cowboys [47]
J. J. Watt 2012, 2015 Houston Texans [49]
Reggie White 1987, 1988 Philadelphia Eagles [29]
Jack Youngblood 1974, 1979 Los Angeles Rams [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarleton State Texans football</span> College football program representing Tarleton State University

The Tarleton State Texans football program, also known as the Tarleton Texans, is the intercollegiate American football team for Tarleton State University located in the U.S. state of Texas. Through the 2019 season, the team competed in NCAA Division II as members of the Lone Star Conference, but moved to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) beginning in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. In fall 2021, Tarleton's full-time home of the Western Athletic Conference revived its football league at the FCS level, with Tarleton as one of the inaugural members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek Watt</span> American football player (born 1992)

Derek John Watt is an American former professional football fullback. He played college football at Wisconsin, and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His older brother is J. J. Watt, and his younger brother is Steelers linebacker T. J. Watt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. J. Watt</span> American football player (born 1994)

Trent Jordan Watt is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers before being selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft.

Tom Kennedy was an American football quarterback. He played for the New York Giants in 1966.

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Michael David (12 July 2021). "Pre-1982 sack stats still unofficial, but now widely available". ProFootballTalk . Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  2. 1 2 "NFL Sacks Single-Season Leaders (since 1960)". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  3. ↑ "Deacon Jones Award will honor future NFL sack leaders". National Football League . 2013-01-04. Archived from the original on 2023-05-30. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  4. ↑ "Pre-1982 Sacks Added To Pro Football Reference". Sports-Reference.com . Archived from the original on 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
  5. ↑ Gordon, Grant (July 13, 2021). "Al 'Bubba' Baker on becoming unofficial single-season sack king: 'Tears just started running down my eyes'". National Football League . Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 "NFL Sacks Year-by-Year Leaders (since 1960)". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  7. ↑ "Gino Marchetti Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "Gene Lipscomb Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 "Jim Katcavage Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Deacon Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  11. ↑ "George Andrie Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  12. ↑ "Carl Eller Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  13. ↑ "Tony Cline Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  14. ↑ "Cedrick Hardman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  15. ↑ "Jack Gregory Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  16. ↑ "Bill Stanfill Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  17. ↑ "Fred Dryer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 "Jack Youngblood Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  19. ↑ "John Dutton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  20. ↑ "Coy Bacon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  21. ↑ "Harvey Martin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  22. 1 2 3 "Al Baker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 2024-05-15. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  23. ↑ "Gary Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 2023-04-09. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  24. ↑ "Joe Klecko Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  25. ↑ "Doug Martin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  26. 1 2 3 "Mark Gastineau Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  27. ↑ "Richard Dent Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  28. ↑ "Lawrence Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 2024-06-24. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  29. 1 2 3 "Reggie White Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  30. ↑ "Chris Doleman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  31. ↑ "Derrick Thomas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  32. ↑ "Pat Swilling Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  33. ↑ "Clyde Simmons Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  34. ↑ "Neil Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  35. 1 2 3 "Kevin Greene Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  36. ↑ "Bryce Paup Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  37. ↑ "John Randle Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  38. ↑ "Michael Sinclair Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  39. ↑ "Kevin Carter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 2023-12-09. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  40. ↑ "La'Roi Glover Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  41. 1 2 3 "Michael Strahan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  42. ↑ "Jason Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 4 August 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  43. ↑ "Dwight Freeney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  44. ↑ "Derrick Burgess Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  45. ↑ "Shawne Merriman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  46. 1 2 3 "Jared Allen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  47. 1 2 3 "DeMarcus Ware Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 23 November 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  48. ↑ "Elvis Dumervil Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  49. 1 2 3 "J.J. Watt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  50. ↑ "Robert Mathis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 5 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  51. ↑ "Justin Houston Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  52. ↑ "Vic Beasley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  53. ↑ "Chandler Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  54. ↑ "Aaron Donald Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  55. ↑ "Shaquil Barrett Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  56. 1 2 3 4 "T.J. Watt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 2024-05-27. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  57. ↑ "Nick Bosa Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 2024-06-28. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  58. ↑ "Mel Branch Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  59. ↑ "Riley Morris Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  60. 1 2 "Ed Husmann Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  61. ↑ "Ron Nery Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  62. 1 2 "Larry Eisenhauer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  63. ↑ "Tom Sestak Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  64. ↑ "Verlon Biggs Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  65. ↑ "Ike Lassiter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  66. ↑ "Gerry Philbin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  67. ↑ "Steve DeLong Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.