Michael Strahan holding a microphone
T. J. Watt in Pittsburgh Steelers attire
Michael Strahan (left) and T. J. Watt (right) hold the 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 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] 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 4. Seven players have led the NFL in sacks twice, and 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.[2]
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 the league in sacks 5 times.
Key
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]

NFL annual sacks leaders by season
Season Leader Sacks GP Team Refs
1960 Gino Marchetti† 11.0* 12 Baltimore Colts [5][6]
1961 Gene Lipscomb 17.5* 14 Pittsburgh Steelers [5][7]
1962 Jim Katcavage 16.0 14 New York Giants [5][8]
1963 Jim Katcavage (2) 20.5* 14 New York Giants [5][8]
1964 Deacon Jones† 22.0* 14 Los Angeles Rams [5][9]
1965 Deacon Jones† (2) 19.0 14 Los Angeles Rams [5][9]
1966 George Andrie 18.5 14 Dallas Cowboys [5][10]
1967 Deacon Jones† (3) 21.5 14 Los Angeles Rams [5][9]
1968 Deacon Jones† (4) 22.0 14 Los Angeles Rams [5][9]
1969 Carl Eller† 15.0 14 Minnesota Vikings [5][11]
Deacon Jones† (5) Los Angeles Rams [5][9]
1970 Tony Cline 17.5 14 Oakland Raiders [5][12]
1971 Cedrick Hardman 18.0 14 San Francisco 49ers [5][13]
1972 Jack Gregory 18.5 14 New York Giants [5][14]
1973 Bill Stanfill 18.5 14 Miami Dolphins [5][15]
1974 Fred Dryer 15.0 14 Los Angeles Rams [5][16]
Jack Youngblood† [5][17]
1975 John Dutton 18.0 14 Baltimore Colts [5][18]
1976 Coy Bacon 21.5 14 Cincinnati Bengals [5][19]
1977 Harvey Martin 20.0 14 Dallas Cowboys [5][20]
1978 Al Baker 23.0* 16 Detroit Lions [5][21]
1979 Jack Youngblood† (2) 20.5 16 Los Angeles Rams [5][17]
1980 Al Baker (2) 17.5 15 Detroit Lions [5][21]
Gary Johnson San Diego Chargers [5][22]
1981 Joe Klecko† 20.5 16 New York Jets [5][23]
1982 Doug Martin 11.5 9 Minnesota Vikings [5][24]
1983 Mark Gastineau 19.0 16 New York Jets [5][25]
1984 Mark Gastineau (2) 22.0 16 New York Jets [5][25]
1985 Richard Dent† 17.0 16 Chicago Bears [5][26]
1986 Lawrence Taylor† 20.5 16 New York Giants [5][27]
1987 Reggie White† 21.0 12 Philadelphia Eagles [5][28]
1988 Reggie White† (2) 18.0 16 Philadelphia Eagles [5][28]
1989 Chris Doleman† 21.0 16 Minnesota Vikings [5][29]
1990 Derrick Thomas† 20.0 15 Kansas City Chiefs [5][30]
1991 Pat Swilling 17.0 16 New Orleans Saints [5][31]
1992 Clyde Simmons 19.0 16 Philadelphia Eagles [5][32]
1993 Neil Smith 15.0 16 Kansas City Chiefs [5][33]
1994 Kevin Greene† 14.0 16 Pittsburgh Steelers [5][34]
1995 Bryce Paup 17.5 15 Buffalo Bills [5][35]
1996 Kevin Greene† (2) 14.5 16 Carolina Panthers [5][34]
1997 John Randle† 15.5 16 Minnesota Vikings [5][36]
1998 Michael Sinclair 16.5 16 Seattle Seahawks [5][37]
1999 Kevin Carter 17.0 16 St. Louis Rams [5][38]
2000 La'Roi Glover 17.0 16 New Orleans Saints [5][39]
2001 Michael Strahan† 22.5 16 New York Giants [5][40]
2002 Jason Taylor† 18.5 16 Miami Dolphins [5][41]
2003 Michael Strahan† (2) 18.5 16 New York Giants [5][40]
2004 Dwight Freeney 16.0 16 Indianapolis Colts [5][42]
2005 Derrick Burgess 16.0 16 Oakland Raiders [5][43]
2006 Shawne Merriman 17.0 12 San Diego Chargers [5][44]
2007 Jared Allen 15.5 14 Kansas City Chiefs [5][45]
2008 DeMarcus Ware† 20.0 16 Dallas Cowboys [5][46]
2009 Elvis Dumervil 17.0 16 Denver Broncos [5][47]
2010 DeMarcus Ware† (2) 15.5 16 Dallas Cowboys [5][46]
2011 Jared Allen (2) 22.0 16 Minnesota Vikings [5][45]
2012 J. J. Watt 20.5 16 Houston Texans [5][48]
2013 Robert Mathis 19.5 16 Indianapolis Colts [5][49]
2014 Justin Houston^ 22.0 16 Kansas City Chiefs [5][50]
2015 J. J. Watt (2) 17.5 16 Houston Texans [5][48]
2016 Vic Beasley 15.5 16 Atlanta Falcons [5][51]
2017 Chandler Jones^ 17.0 16 Arizona Cardinals [5][52]
2018 Aaron Donald^ 20.5 16 Los Angeles Rams [5][53]
2019 Shaquil Barrett^ 19.5 16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers [5][54]
2020 T. J. Watt^ 15.0 15 Pittsburgh Steelers [5][55]
2021 T. J. Watt^ (2) 22.5 15 Pittsburgh Steelers [5][55]
2022 Nick Bosa^ 18.5 16 San Francisco 49ers [5][56]
2023 T. J. Watt^ (3) 19.0 17 Pittsburgh Steelers [5][55]

AFL annual sacks leaders

Key
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
AFL annual sacks leaders by season
Season Leader Sacks GP Team Refs
1960 Mel Branch 10.0* 14 Dallas Texans [5][57]
Riley Morris 12 Oakland Raiders [5][58]
1961 Ed Husmann 8.0 14 Houston Oilers [5][59]
Ron Nery San Diego Chargers [5][60]
1962 Ed Husmann (2) 10.0 14 Houston Oilers [5][59]
1963 Larry Eisenhauer 8.0 14 Boston Patriots [5][61]
1964 Tom Sestak 15.5* 14 Buffalo Bills [5][62]
1965 Larry Eisenhauer (2) 9.5 14 Boston Patriots [5][61]
1966 Verlon Biggs 12.5 14 New York Jets [5][63]
1967 Ike Lassiter 17.0* 14 Oakland Raiders [5][64]
1968 Gerry Philbin 14.0 14 New York Jets [5][65]
1969 Steve DeLong 15.5 14 San Diego Chargers [5][66]

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 (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.com. 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. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. 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. 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.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  6. ↑ "Gino Marchetti Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  7. ↑ "Gene Lipscomb Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Jim Katcavage Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Deacon Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  10. ↑ "George Andrie Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  11. ↑ "Carl Eller Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  12. ↑ "Tony Cline Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  13. ↑ "Cedrick Hardman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  14. ↑ "Jack Gregory Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  15. ↑ "Bill Stanfill Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  16. ↑ "Fred Dryer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  17. 1 2 "Jack Youngblood Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  18. ↑ "John Dutton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  19. ↑ "Coy Bacon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  20. ↑ "Harvey Martin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  21. 1 2 "Al Baker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  22. ↑ "Gary Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2023-04-09. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  23. ↑ "Joe Klecko Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  24. ↑ "Doug Martin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  25. 1 2 "Mark Gastineau Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  26. ↑ "Richard Dent Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  27. ↑ "Lawrence Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  28. 1 2 "Reggie White Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  29. ↑ "Chris Doleman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  30. ↑ "Derrick Thomas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  31. ↑ "Pat Swilling Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  32. ↑ "Clyde Simmons Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  33. ↑ "Neil Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  34. 1 2 "Kevin Greene Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  35. ↑ "Bryce Paup Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  36. ↑ "John Randle Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  37. ↑ "Michael Sinclair Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  38. ↑ "Kevin Carter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  39. ↑ "La'Roi Glover Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  40. 1 2 "Michael Strahan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  41. ↑ "Jason Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  42. ↑ "Dwight Freeney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  43. ↑ "Derrick Burgess Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  44. ↑ "Shawne Merriman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  45. 1 2 "Jared Allen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  46. 1 2 "DeMarcus Ware Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  47. ↑ "Elvis Dumervil Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  48. 1 2 "J.J. Watt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  49. ↑ "Robert Mathis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 5 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  50. ↑ "Justin Houston Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  51. ↑ "Vic Beasley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  52. ↑ "Chandler Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  53. ↑ "Aaron Donald Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  54. ↑ "Shaquil Barrett Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  55. 1 2 3 "T.J. Watt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  56. ↑ "Nick Bosa Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  57. ↑ "Mel Branch Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  58. ↑ "Riley Morris Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  59. 1 2 "Ed Husmann Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  60. ↑ "Ron Nery Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  61. 1 2 "Larry Eisenhauer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  62. ↑ "Tom Sestak Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  63. ↑ "Verlon Biggs Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  64. ↑ "Ike Lassiter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  65. ↑ "Gerry Philbin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  66. ↑ "Steve DeLong Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
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