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.
NFL annual sacks leaders
[edit]![Jared Allen in a Minnesota Vikings jersey and helmet](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Jared_Allen.jpg/220px-Jared_Allen.jpg)
![Al Baker headshot in a Detroit Lions jersey](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Al_Baker_2014.jpg/220px-Al_Baker_2014.jpg)
![Deacon Jones headshot](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Deacon_Jones_in_1971_Brady_Bunch_promo.jpg/220px-Deacon_Jones_in_1971_Brady_Bunch_promo.jpg)
Symbol | Meaning |
---|---|
Leader | The player who recorded the most sacks in the NFL |
Sacks | The total number of sacks the player had |
GP | The 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]
AFL annual sacks leaders
[edit]Symbol | Meaning |
---|---|
Leader | The player who recorded the most sacks in the AFL |
Sacks | The total number of sacks the player had |
GP | The 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 |
Season | Leader | Sacks | GP | Team | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1960 | Mel Branch | 10.0* | 14 | Dallas Texans | [6][58] |
Riley Morris | 12 | Oakland Raiders | [6][59] | ||
1961 | Ed Husmann | 8.0 | 14 | Houston Oilers | [6][60] |
Ron Nery | San Diego Chargers | [6][61] | |||
1962 | Ed Husmann (2) | 10.0 | 14 | Houston Oilers | [6][60] |
1963 | Larry Eisenhauer | 8.0 | 14 | Boston Patriots | [6][62] |
1964 | Tom Sestak | 15.5* | 14 | Buffalo Bills | [6][63] |
1965 | Larry Eisenhauer (2) | 9.5 | 14 | Boston Patriots | [6][62] |
1966 | Verlon Biggs | 12.5 | 14 | New York Jets | [6][64] |
1967 | Ike Lassiter | 17.0* | 14 | Oakland Raiders | [6][65] |
1968 | Gerry Philbin | 14.0 | 14 | New York Jets | [6][66] |
1969 | Steve DeLong | 15.5 | 14 | San Diego Chargers | [6][67] |
Most seasons leading the league
[edit]See also
[edit]- List of NFL career sacks leaders
- List of NFL annual interceptions leaders
- List of NFL annual forced fumbles leaders
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "NFL Sacks Single-Season Leaders (since 1960)". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Pre-1982 Sacks Added To Pro Football Reference". Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca "NFL Sacks Year-by-Year Leaders (since 1960)". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Gino Marchetti Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Gene Lipscomb Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Jim Katcavage Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Deacon Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "George Andrie Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Carl Eller Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Tony Cline Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Cedrick Hardman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Jack Gregory Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Bill Stanfill Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Fred Dryer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Jack Youngblood Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "John Dutton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Coy Bacon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Harvey Martin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Al Baker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 2024-05-15. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Gary Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 2023-04-09. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ "Joe Klecko Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Doug Martin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Mark Gastineau Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Richard Dent Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Lawrence Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 2024-06-24. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Reggie White Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Chris Doleman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Derrick Thomas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Pat Swilling Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Clyde Simmons Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Neil Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Kevin Greene Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Bryce Paup Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "John Randle Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Michael Sinclair Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Kevin Carter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 2023-12-09. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "La'Roi Glover Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Michael Strahan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Jason Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 4 August 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Dwight Freeney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Derrick Burgess Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Shawne Merriman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Jared Allen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "DeMarcus Ware Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 23 November 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Elvis Dumervil Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "J.J. Watt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Robert Mathis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 5 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Justin Houston Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Vic Beasley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Chandler Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Aaron Donald Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Shaquil Barrett Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d "T.J. Watt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 2024-05-27. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Nick Bosa Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 2024-06-28. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Mel Branch Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Riley Morris Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Ed Husmann Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Ron Nery Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Larry Eisenhauer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Tom Sestak Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Verlon Biggs Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Ike Lassiter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Gerry Philbin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Steve DeLong Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.