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]

Contents

The Deacon Jones Award was established by the NFL in 2013 to recognize the annual leader in sacks, named after the former defensive end Deacon Jones who led the league in sacks five times. [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.

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 five 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 five times.
Key
SymbolMeaning
LeaderThe player who recorded the most sacks
SacksTotal number of sacks
GPNumber of games played during the season
† Pro Football Hall of Fame member
^Active player
*Single-season 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*12 Baltimore Colts [6] [7]
1961 Gene Lipscomb 17.5*14 Pittsburgh Steelers [6] [8]
1962 Jim Katcavage 1614 New York Giants [6] [9]
1963 Jim Katcavage (2)20.5*14 New York Giants [6] [9]
1964 Deacon Jones †22*14 Los Angeles Rams [6] [10]
1965 Deacon Jones † (2)1914 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)2214 Los Angeles Rams [6] [10]
1969 Carl Eller †1514 Minnesota Vikings [6] [12]
Deacon Jones † (5) Los Angeles Rams [6] [10]
1970 Tony Cline 17.514 Oakland Raiders [6] [13]
1971 Cedrick Hardman 1814 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 1514 Los Angeles Rams [6] [17]
Jack Youngblood † [6] [18]
1975 John Dutton 1814 Baltimore Colts [6] [19]
1976 Coy Bacon 21.514 Cincinnati Bengals [6] [20]
1977 Harvey Martin 2014 Dallas Cowboys [6] [21]
1978 Al Baker 23*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 1916 New York Jets [6] [26]
1984 Mark Gastineau (2)2216 New York Jets [6] [26]
1985 Richard Dent †1716 Chicago Bears [6] [27]
1986 Lawrence Taylor †20.516 New York Giants [6] [28]
1987 Reggie White †2112 Philadelphia Eagles [6] [29]
1988 Reggie White † (2)1816 Philadelphia Eagles [6] [29]
1989 Chris Doleman †2116 Minnesota Vikings [6] [30]
1990 Derrick Thomas †2015 Kansas City Chiefs [6] [31]
1991 Pat Swilling 1716 New Orleans Saints [6] [32]
1992 Clyde Simmons 1916 Philadelphia Eagles [6] [33]
1993 Neil Smith 1516 Kansas City Chiefs [6] [34]
1994 Kevin Greene †1416 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 1716 St. Louis Rams [6] [39]
2000 La'Roi Glover 1716 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 †1616 Indianapolis Colts [6] [43]
2005 Derrick Burgess 1616 Oakland Raiders [6] [44]
2006 Shawne Merriman 1712 San Diego Chargers [6] [45]
2007 Jared Allen 15.514 Kansas City Chiefs [6] [46]
2008 DeMarcus Ware †2016 Dallas Cowboys [6] [47]
2009 Elvis Dumervil 1716 Denver Broncos [6] [48]
2010 DeMarcus Ware † (2)15.516 Dallas Cowboys [6] [47]
2011 Jared Allen (2)2216 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 2216 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 1716 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 ^1515 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)1917 Pittsburgh Steelers [6] [56]
2024 Trey Hendrickson ^17.517 Cincinnati Bengals [6] [58]

AFL annual sacks leaders

Key
SymbolMeaning
LeaderThe player who recorded the most sacks
SacksTotal number of sacks
GPNumber of games played during the season
*Single-season record
(#)Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list
AFL annual sacks leaders by season
SeasonLeaderSacksGPTeamRefs
1960 Mel Branch 10*14 Dallas Texans [6] [59]
Riley Morris 12 Oakland Raiders [6] [60]
1961 Ed Husmann 814 Houston Oilers [6] [61]
Ron Nery San Diego Chargers [6] [62]
1962 Ed Husmann (2)1014 Houston Oilers [6] [61]
1963 Larry Eisenhauer 814 Boston Patriots [6] [63]
1964 Tom Sestak 15.5*14 Buffalo Bills [6] [64]
1965 Larry Eisenhauer (2)9.514 Boston Patriots [6] [63]
1966 Verlon Biggs 12.514 New York Jets [6] [65]
1967 Ike Lassiter 17*14 Oakland Raiders [6] [66]
1968 Gerry Philbin 1414 New York Jets [6] [67]
1969 Steve DeLong 15.514 San Diego Chargers [6] [68]

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

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References

  1. ↑ Smith, Michael David (July 12, 2021). "Pre-1982 sack stats still unofficial, but now widely available". ProFootballTalk . Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "NFL Sacks Single-Season Leaders (since 1960)". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Deacon Jones Award will honor future NFL sack leaders". National Football League . January 4, 2013. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Pre-1982 Sacks Added To Pro Football Reference". Sports-Reference.com . Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  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 . Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 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 80 "NFL Sacks Year-by-Year Leaders (since 1960)". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Gino Marchetti Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Gene Lipscomb Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 "Jim Katcavage Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Deacon Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  11. ↑ "George Andrie Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Carl Eller Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Tony Cline Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Cedrick Hardman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Jack Gregory Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Bill Stanfill Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Fred Dryer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 "Jack Youngblood Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  19. ↑ "John Dutton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Coy Bacon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Harvey Martin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  22. 1 2 3 "Al Baker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Gary Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Joe Klecko Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Doug Martin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  26. 1 2 3 "Mark Gastineau Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Richard Dent Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Lawrence Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  29. 1 2 3 "Reggie White Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Chris Doleman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Derrick Thomas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Pat Swilling Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Clyde Simmons Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Neil Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  35. 1 2 3 "Kevin Greene Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Bryce Paup Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  37. ↑ "John Randle Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Michael Sinclair Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Kevin Carter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  40. ↑ "La'Roi Glover Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  41. 1 2 3 "Michael Strahan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Jason Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on August 4, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Dwight Freeney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  44. ↑ "Derrick Burgess Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on December 31, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Shawne Merriman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  46. 1 2 3 "Jared Allen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  47. 1 2 3 "DeMarcus Ware Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  48. ↑ "Elvis Dumervil Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  49. 1 2 3 "J.J. Watt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  50. ↑ "Robert Mathis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  51. ↑ "Justin Houston Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Vic Beasley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  53. ↑ "Chandler Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  54. ↑ "Aaron Donald Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 21, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  55. ↑ "Shaquil Barrett Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  56. 1 2 3 4 "T.J. Watt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  57. ↑ "Nick Bosa Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  58. ↑ "Trey Hendrickson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on June 29, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  59. ↑ "Mel Branch Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  60. ↑ "Riley Morris Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  61. 1 2 "Ed Husmann Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  62. ↑ "Ron Nery Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  63. 1 2 "Larry Eisenhauer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  64. ↑ "Tom Sestak Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  65. ↑ "Verlon Biggs Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  66. ↑ "Ike Lassiter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  67. ↑ "Gerry Philbin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  68. ↑ "Steve DeLong Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
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