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List of NFL annual sacks leaders

Updated: Wikipedia source

List of NFL annual sacks leaders

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. Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns holds the official record with 23, set during the 2025 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.

Tables

Key · NFL annual sacks leaders
Leader
Leader
Symbol
Leader
Meaning
The player who recorded the most sacks
Sacks
Sacks
Symbol
Sacks
Meaning
Total number of sacks
GP
GP
Symbol
GP
Meaning
Number of games played during the season
†
†
Symbol
†
Meaning
Pro Football Hall of Fame member
^
^
Symbol
^
Meaning
Active player
(#)
(#)
Symbol
(#)
Meaning
Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list
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
NFL annual sacks leaders by season · NFL annual sacks leaders
1960
1960
Season
1960
Leader
Gino Marchetti†
Sacks
11*
GP
12
Team
Baltimore Colts
1961
1961
Season
1961
Leader
Gene Lipscomb
Sacks
17 *
GP
14
Team
Pittsburgh Steelers
1962
1962
Season
1962
Leader
Jim Katcavage
Sacks
16
GP
14
Team
New York Giants
1963
1963
Season
1963
Leader
Jim Katcavage (2)
Sacks
20 *
GP
14
Team
New York Giants
1964
1964
Season
1964
Leader
Deacon Jones†
Sacks
22*
GP
14
Team
Los Angeles Rams
1965
1965
Season
1965
Leader
Deacon Jones† (2)
Sacks
19
GP
14
Team
Los Angeles Rams
1966
1966
Season
1966
Leader
George Andrie
Sacks
18
GP
14
Team
Dallas Cowboys
1967
1967
Season
1967
Leader
Deacon Jones† (3)
Sacks
21
GP
14
Team
Los Angeles Rams
1968
1968
Season
1968
Leader
Deacon Jones† (4)
Sacks
22
GP
14
Team
Los Angeles Rams
1969
1969
Season
1969
Leader
Carl Eller†
Sacks
15
GP
14
Team
Minnesota Vikings
Deacon Jones† (5)
Deacon Jones† (5)
Season
Deacon Jones† (5)
Leader
Los Angeles Rams
1970
1970
Season
1970
Leader
Tony Cline
Sacks
17
GP
14
Team
Oakland Raiders
1971
1971
Season
1971
Leader
Cedrick Hardman
Sacks
18
GP
14
Team
San Francisco 49ers
1972
1972
Season
1972
Leader
Jack Gregory
Sacks
18
GP
14
Team
New York Giants
1973
1973
Season
1973
Leader
Bill Stanfill
Sacks
18
GP
14
Team
Miami Dolphins
1974
1974
Season
1974
Leader
Fred Dryer
Sacks
15
GP
14
Team
Los Angeles Rams
Jack Youngblood†
Jack Youngblood†
Season
Jack Youngblood†
1975
1975
Season
1975
Leader
John Dutton
Sacks
18
GP
14
Team
Baltimore Colts
1976
1976
Season
1976
Leader
Coy Bacon
Sacks
21
GP
14
Team
Cincinnati Bengals
1977
1977
Season
1977
Leader
Harvey Martin
Sacks
20
GP
14
Team
Dallas Cowboys
1978
1978
Season
1978
Leader
Al Baker
Sacks
23*
GP
16
Team
Detroit Lions
1979
1979
Season
1979
Leader
Jack Youngblood† (2)
Sacks
20
GP
16
Team
Los Angeles Rams
1980
1980
Season
1980
Leader
Al Baker (2)
Sacks
17
GP
15
Team
Detroit Lions
Gary Johnson
Gary Johnson
Season
Gary Johnson
Leader
San Diego Chargers
1981
1981
Season
1981
Leader
Joe Klecko†
Sacks
20
GP
16
Team
New York Jets
1982
1982
Season
1982
Leader
Doug Martin
Sacks
11
GP
9
Team
Minnesota Vikings
1983
1983
Season
1983
Leader
Mark Gastineau
Sacks
19
GP
16
Team
New York Jets
1984
1984
Season
1984
Leader
Mark Gastineau (2)
Sacks
22
GP
16
Team
New York Jets
1985
1985
Season
1985
Leader
Richard Dent†
Sacks
17
GP
16
Team
Chicago Bears
1986
1986
Season
1986
Leader
Lawrence Taylor†
Sacks
20
GP
16
Team
New York Giants
1987
1987
Season
1987
Leader
Reggie White†
Sacks
21
GP
12
Team
Philadelphia Eagles
1988
1988
Season
1988
Leader
Reggie White† (2)
Sacks
18
GP
16
Team
Philadelphia Eagles
1989
1989
Season
1989
Leader
Chris Doleman†
Sacks
21
GP
16
Team
Minnesota Vikings
1990
1990
Season
1990
Leader
Derrick Thomas†
Sacks
20
GP
15
Team
Kansas City Chiefs
1991
1991
Season
1991
Leader
Pat Swilling
Sacks
17
GP
16
Team
New Orleans Saints
1992
1992
Season
1992
Leader
Clyde Simmons
Sacks
19
GP
16
Team
Philadelphia Eagles
1993
1993
Season
1993
Leader
Neil Smith
Sacks
15
GP
16
Team
Kansas City Chiefs
1994
1994
Season
1994
Leader
Kevin Greene†
Sacks
14
GP
16
Team
Pittsburgh Steelers
1995
1995
Season
1995
Leader
Bryce Paup
Sacks
17
GP
15
Team
Buffalo Bills
1996
1996
Season
1996
Leader
Kevin Greene† (2)
Sacks
14
GP
16
Team
Carolina Panthers
1997
1997
Season
1997
Leader
John Randle†
Sacks
15
GP
16
Team
Minnesota Vikings
1998
1998
Season
1998
Leader
Michael Sinclair
Sacks
16
GP
16
Team
Seattle Seahawks
1999
1999
Season
1999
Leader
Kevin Carter
Sacks
17
GP
16
Team
St. Louis Rams
2000
2000
Season
2000
Leader
La'Roi Glover
Sacks
17
GP
16
Team
New Orleans Saints
2001
2001
Season
2001
Leader
Michael Strahan†
Sacks
22
GP
16
Team
New York Giants
2002
2002
Season
2002
Leader
Jason Taylor†
Sacks
18
GP
16
Team
Miami Dolphins
2003
2003
Season
2003
Leader
Michael Strahan† (2)
Sacks
18
GP
16
Team
New York Giants
2004
2004
Season
2004
Leader
Dwight Freeney†
Sacks
16
GP
16
Team
Indianapolis Colts
2005
2005
Season
2005
Leader
Derrick Burgess
Sacks
16
GP
16
Team
Oakland Raiders
2006
2006
Season
2006
Leader
Shawne Merriman
Sacks
17
GP
12
Team
San Diego Chargers
2007
2007
Season
2007
Leader
Jared Allen†
Sacks
15
GP
14
Team
Kansas City Chiefs
2008
2008
Season
2008
Leader
DeMarcus Ware†
Sacks
20
GP
16
Team
Dallas Cowboys
2009
2009
Season
2009
Leader
Elvis Dumervil
Sacks
17
GP
16
Team
Denver Broncos
2010
2010
Season
2010
Leader
DeMarcus Ware† (2)
Sacks
15
GP
16
Team
Dallas Cowboys
2011
2011
Season
2011
Leader
Jared Allen† (2)
Sacks
22
GP
16
Team
Minnesota Vikings
2012
2012
Season
2012
Leader
J. J. Watt
Sacks
20
GP
16
Team
Houston Texans
2013
2013
Season
2013
Leader
Robert Mathis
Sacks
19
GP
16
Team
Indianapolis Colts
2014
2014
Season
2014
Leader
Justin Houston
Sacks
22
GP
16
Team
Kansas City Chiefs
2015
2015
Season
2015
Leader
J. J. Watt (2)
Sacks
17
GP
16
Team
Houston Texans
2016
2016
Season
2016
Leader
Vic Beasley
Sacks
15
GP
16
Team
Atlanta Falcons
2017
2017
Season
2017
Leader
Chandler Jones
Sacks
17
GP
16
Team
Arizona Cardinals
2018
2018
Season
2018
Leader
Aaron Donald
Sacks
20
GP
16
Team
Los Angeles Rams
2019
2019
Season
2019
Leader
Shaquil Barrett
Sacks
19
GP
16
Team
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2020
2020
Season
2020
Leader
T. J. Watt^
Sacks
15
GP
15
Team
Pittsburgh Steelers
2021
2021
Season
2021
Leader
T. J. Watt^ (2)
Sacks
22
GP
15
Team
Pittsburgh Steelers
2022
2022
Season
2022
Leader
Nick Bosa^
Sacks
18
GP
16
Team
San Francisco 49ers
2023
2023
Season
2023
Leader
T. J. Watt^ (3)
Sacks
19
GP
17
Team
Pittsburgh Steelers
2024
2024
Season
2024
Leader
Trey Hendrickson^
Sacks
17
GP
17
Team
Cincinnati Bengals
2025
2025
Season
2025
Leader
Myles Garrett^
Sacks
23*
GP
17
Team
Cleveland Browns
Season
Leader
Sacks
GP
Team
Refs
1960
Gino Marchetti†
11*
12
Baltimore Colts
1961
Gene Lipscomb
17 *
14
Pittsburgh Steelers
1962
Jim Katcavage
16
14
New York Giants
1963
Jim Katcavage (2)
20 *
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
14
Dallas Cowboys
1967
Deacon Jones† (3)
21
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
14
Oakland Raiders
1971
Cedrick Hardman
18
14
San Francisco 49ers
1972
Jack Gregory
18
14
New York Giants
1973
Bill Stanfill
18
14
Miami Dolphins
1974
Fred Dryer
15
14
Los Angeles Rams
Jack Youngblood†
1975
John Dutton
18
14
Baltimore Colts
1976
Coy Bacon
21
14
Cincinnati Bengals
1977
Harvey Martin
20
14
Dallas Cowboys
1978
Al Baker
23*
16
Detroit Lions
1979
Jack Youngblood† (2)
20
16
Los Angeles Rams
1980
Al Baker (2)
17
15
Detroit Lions
Gary Johnson
San Diego Chargers
1981
Joe Klecko†
20
16
New York Jets
1982
Doug Martin
11
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
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
15
Buffalo Bills
1996
Kevin Greene† (2)
14
16
Carolina Panthers
1997
John Randle†
15
16
Minnesota Vikings
1998
Michael Sinclair
16
16
Seattle Seahawks
1999
Kevin Carter
17
16
St. Louis Rams
2000
La'Roi Glover
17
16
New Orleans Saints
2001
Michael Strahan†
22
16
New York Giants
2002
Jason Taylor†
18
16
Miami Dolphins
2003
Michael Strahan† (2)
18
16
New York Giants
2004
Dwight Freeney†
16
16
Indianapolis Colts
2005
Derrick Burgess
16
16
Oakland Raiders
Key · AFL annual sacks leaders
Leader
Leader
Symbol
Leader
Meaning
The player who recorded the most sacks
Sacks
Sacks
Symbol
Sacks
Meaning
Total number of sacks
GP
GP
Symbol
GP
Meaning
Number of games played during the season
(#)
(#)
Symbol
(#)
Meaning
Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list
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 · AFL annual sacks leaders
1960
1960
Season
1960
Leader
Mel Branch
Sacks
10*
GP
14
Team
Dallas Texans
Riley Morris
Riley Morris
Season
Riley Morris
Leader
12
Sacks
Oakland Raiders
1961
1961
Season
1961
Leader
Ed Husmann
Sacks
8
GP
14
Team
Houston Oilers
Ron Nery
Ron Nery
Season
Ron Nery
Leader
San Diego Chargers
1962
1962
Season
1962
Leader
Ed Husmann (2)
Sacks
10
GP
14
Team
Houston Oilers
1963
1963
Season
1963
Leader
Larry Eisenhauer
Sacks
8
GP
14
Team
Boston Patriots
1964
1964
Season
1964
Leader
Tom Sestak
Sacks
15 *
GP
14
Team
Buffalo Bills
1965
1965
Season
1965
Leader
Larry Eisenhauer (2)
Sacks
9
GP
14
Team
Boston Patriots
1966
1966
Season
1966
Leader
Verlon Biggs
Sacks
12
GP
14
Team
New York Jets
1967
1967
Season
1967
Leader
Ike Lassiter
Sacks
17*
GP
14
Team
Oakland Raiders
1968
1968
Season
1968
Leader
Gerry Philbin
Sacks
14
GP
14
Team
New York Jets
1969
1969
Season
1969
Leader
Steve DeLong
Sacks
15
GP
14
Team
San Diego Chargers
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 *
14
Buffalo Bills
1965
Larry Eisenhauer (2)
9
14
Boston Patriots
1966
Verlon Biggs
12
14
New York Jets
1967
Ike Lassiter
17*
14
Oakland Raiders
1968
Gerry Philbin
14
14
New York Jets
1969
Steve DeLong
15
14
San Diego Chargers
· Most seasons leading the league
5
5
Count
5
Player
Deacon Jones
Seasons
1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969
Team(s)
Los Angeles Rams
3
3
Count
3
Player
T. J. Watt
Seasons
2020, 2021, 2023
Team(s)
Pittsburgh Steelers
2
2
Count
2
Player
Jared Allen
Seasons
2007, 2011
Team(s)
Kansas City Chiefs / Minnesota Vikings
Al Baker
Al Baker
Count
Al Baker
Player
1978, 1980
Seasons
Detroit Lions
Mark Gastineau
Mark Gastineau
Count
Mark Gastineau
Player
1983, 1984
Seasons
New York Jets
Kevin Greene
Kevin Greene
Count
Kevin Greene
Player
1994, 1998
Seasons
Pittsburgh Steelers / Carolina Panthers
Jim Katcavage
Jim Katcavage
Count
Jim Katcavage
Player
1962, 1963
Seasons
New York Giants
Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan
Count
Michael Strahan
Player
2001, 2003
Seasons
New York Giants
DeMarcus Ware
DeMarcus Ware
Count
DeMarcus Ware
Player
2008, 2010
Seasons
Dallas Cowboys
J. J. Watt
J. J. Watt
Count
J. J. Watt
Player
2012, 2015
Seasons
Houston Texans
Reggie White
Reggie White
Count
Reggie White
Player
1987, 1988
Seasons
Philadelphia Eagles
Jack Youngblood
Jack Youngblood
Count
Jack Youngblood
Player
1974, 1979
Seasons
Los Angeles Rams
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

References

  1. ProFootballTalk
    https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/07/12/pre-1982-sack-stats-still-unofficial-but-now-widely-available/
  2. ESPN
    https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47503855/browns-myles-garrett-gets-sack-no-23-set-nfl-season-record
  3. National Football League
    https://www.nfl.com/news/deacon-jones-award-will-honor-future-nfl-sack-leaders-0ap1000000214112
  4. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/sacks_single_season.htm
  5. Sports-Reference
    https://www.sports-reference.com/blog/2021/07/pre-1982-sacks-added-to-pro-football-reference/
  6. National Football League
    https://www.nfl.com/news/al-bubba-baker-on-becoming-unofficial-single-season-sack-king-tears-just-started
  7. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/sacks_year_by_year.htm
  8. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MarcGi00.htm
  9. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LipsGe00.htm
  10. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KatcJi00.htm
  11. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JoneDe00.htm
  12. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AndrGe00.htm
  13. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElleCa00.htm
  14. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ClinTo20.htm
  15. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HardCe00.htm
  16. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GregJa00.htm
  17. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StanBi00.htm
  18. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DryeFr00.htm
  19. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Y/YounJa00.htm
  20. Pro Football Reference
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DuttJo00.htm
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