List of NFL annual sacks leaders

Michael Strahan holding a microphone
T. J. Watt in Pittsburgh Steelers attire
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] 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.

  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. ^ "NFL Sacks Single-Season Leaders (since 1960)". Pro Football Reference. 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. 2013-01-04. Archived from the original on 2023-05-30. Retrieved 30 May 2023.