Misplaced Pages

List of NFL annual sacks leaders

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.

Michael Strahan holding a microphoneT. J. Watt in Pittsburgh Steelers attireMichael 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. 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.

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. 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 in a Minnesota Vikings jersey and helmet
Jared Allen led the league in sacks in 2007 and 2011.
Al Baker headshot in a Detroit Lions jersey
Al Baker is the unofficial NFL record holder with 23 sacks during the 1978 NFL season.
Deacon Jones headshot
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
Symbol Meaning
Leader The player who recorded the most sacks
Sacks Total number of sacks
GP Number 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.

NFL annual sacks leaders by season
Season Leader Sacks GP Team Refs
1960 Gino Marchetti† 11* 12 Baltimore Colts
1961 Gene Lipscomb 17.5* 14 Pittsburgh Steelers
1962 Jim Katcavage 16 14 New York Giants
1963 Jim Katcavage (2) 20.5* 14 New York Giants
1964 Deacon Jones† 22* 14 Los Angeles Rams
1965 Deacon Jones† (2) 19 14 Los Angeles Rams
1966 George Andrie 18.5 14 Dallas Cowboys
1967 Deacon Jones† (3) 21.5 14 Los Angeles Rams
1968 Deacon Jones† (4) 22 14 Los Angeles Rams
1969 Carl Eller† 15 14 Minnesota Vikings
Deacon Jones† (5) Los Angeles Rams
1970 Tony Cline 17.5 14 Oakland Raiders
1971 Cedrick Hardman 18 14 San Francisco 49ers
1972 Jack Gregory 18.5 14 New York Giants
1973 Bill Stanfill 18.5 14 Miami Dolphins
1974 Fred Dryer 15 14 Los Angeles Rams
Jack Youngblood†
1975 John Dutton 18 14 Baltimore Colts
1976 Coy Bacon 21.5 14 Cincinnati Bengals
1977 Harvey Martin 20 14 Dallas Cowboys
1978 Al Baker 23* 16 Detroit Lions
1979 Jack Youngblood† (2) 20.5 16 Los Angeles Rams
1980 Al Baker (2) 17.5 15 Detroit Lions
Gary Johnson San Diego Chargers
1981 Joe Klecko† 20.5 16 New York Jets
1982 Doug Martin 11.5 9 Minnesota Vikings
1983 Mark Gastineau 19 16 New York Jets
1984 Mark Gastineau (2) 22 16 New York Jets
1985 Richard Dent† 17 16 Chicago Bears
1986 Lawrence Taylor† 20.5 16 New York Giants
1987 Reggie White† 21 12 Philadelphia Eagles
1988 Reggie White† (2) 18 16 Philadelphia Eagles
1989 Chris Doleman† 21 16 Minnesota Vikings
1990 Derrick Thomas† 20 15 Kansas City Chiefs
1991 Pat Swilling 17 16 New Orleans Saints
1992 Clyde Simmons 19 16 Philadelphia Eagles
1993 Neil Smith 15 16 Kansas City Chiefs
1994 Kevin Greene† 14 16 Pittsburgh Steelers
1995 Bryce Paup 17.5 15 Buffalo Bills
1996 Kevin Greene† (2) 14.5 16 Carolina Panthers
1997 John Randle† 15.5 16 Minnesota Vikings
1998 Michael Sinclair 16.5 16 Seattle Seahawks
1999 Kevin Carter 17 16 St. Louis Rams
2000 La'Roi Glover 17 16 New Orleans Saints
2001 Michael Strahan† 22.5 16 New York Giants
2002 Jason Taylor† 18.5 16 Miami Dolphins
2003 Michael Strahan† (2) 18.5 16 New York Giants
2004 Dwight Freeney† 16 16 Indianapolis Colts
2005 Derrick Burgess 16 16 Oakland Raiders
2006 Shawne Merriman 17 12 San Diego Chargers
2007 Jared Allen 15.5 14 Kansas City Chiefs
2008 DeMarcus Ware† 20 16 Dallas Cowboys
2009 Elvis Dumervil 17 16 Denver Broncos
2010 DeMarcus Ware† (2) 15.5 16 Dallas Cowboys
2011 Jared Allen (2) 22 16 Minnesota Vikings
2012 J. J. Watt 20.5 16 Houston Texans
2013 Robert Mathis 19.5 16 Indianapolis Colts
2014 Justin Houston 22 16 Kansas City Chiefs
2015 J. J. Watt (2) 17.5 16 Houston Texans
2016 Vic Beasley 15.5 16 Atlanta Falcons
2017 Chandler Jones 17 16 Arizona Cardinals
2018 Aaron Donald 20.5 16 Los Angeles Rams
2019 Shaquil Barrett^ 19.5 16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2020 T. J. Watt^ 15 15 Pittsburgh Steelers
2021 T. J. Watt^ (2) 22.5 15 Pittsburgh Steelers
2022 Nick Bosa^ 18.5 16 San Francisco 49ers
2023 T. J. Watt^ (3) 19 17 Pittsburgh Steelers
2024 Trey Hendrickson^ 17.5 17 Cincinnati Bengals

AFL annual sacks leaders

Key
Symbol Meaning
Leader The player who recorded the most sacks
Sacks Total number of sacks
GP Number 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
Season Leader Sacks GP Team Refs
1960 Mel Branch 10* 14 Dallas Texans
Riley Morris 12 Oakland Raiders
1961 Ed Husmann 8 14 Houston Oilers
Ron Nery San Diego Chargers
1962 Ed Husmann (2) 10 14 Houston Oilers
1963 Larry Eisenhauer 8 14 Boston Patriots
1964 Tom Sestak 15.5* 14 Buffalo Bills
1965 Larry Eisenhauer (2) 9.5 14 Boston Patriots
1966 Verlon Biggs 12.5 14 New York Jets
1967 Ike Lassiter 17* 14 Oakland Raiders
1968 Gerry Philbin 14 14 New York Jets
1969 Steve DeLong 15.5 14 San Diego Chargers

Most seasons leading the league

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

See also

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. ^ "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. ^ "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. ^ "Jim Katcavage Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  10. ^ "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. ^ "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. ^ "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. ^ "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. ^ "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. ^ "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. ^ "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. ^ "Jared Allen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  47. ^ "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. ^ "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. ^ "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. {{cite web |title=Trey Hendrickson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendTr00.htm |website=[[Pro Football Reference[[ |access-date=January 7, 2025 |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629230927/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendTr00.htm |url-status=live }}
  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. ^ "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. ^ "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.
NFL annual sacks leaders (Deacon Jones Award)
Sack totals from 1960 to 1981 are considered unofficial by the NFL. Starting in 2013, the sack leader is officially given the Deacon Jones Award
NFL records and leaders
General
Passing
Career
Annual
Game
Rushing
Career
Annual
Receiving
Career
Annual
Defense
Career
Annual
Special teams
Career
Annual
Scoring
Career
Annual
Game
NFL Honors
Ceremonies
AP awards
Other awards
Former awards
Category:
List of NFL annual sacks leaders Add topic