What is the Sack Record in the NFL?
The Sack Record in the NFL is the record for the most sacks in a single season. The record is currently held by Michael Strahan, who sacked the quarterback 22 times in the 2001 season.
The History of the Sack Record
In 1982, the NFL adopted a new rule stating that a sack would be awarded to the defending team when the quarterback is facing “immediate jeopardy” – meaning that he is about to be sacked. This rule change had a big impact on NFL defenses, and sacks became an important part of the game.
The first player to hold the Sack Record was Mark Gastineau of the New York Jets, who recorded 22 sacks in 1984. Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants broke Gastineau’s record in 1986 with 26 sacks, and he would go on to set the Sack Record three more times (in 1987, 1988, and 1989).
In 2001, Michael Strahan of the Giants broke Taylor’s record with 22.5 sacks in a single season. Strahan’s record stood for 15 years, until it was broken by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones in 2016 with 17 sacks.
The Current Sack Record
As of the end of the 2019 season, the all-time sack record is held by Bruce Smith, who played for the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins. In his 19 seasons in the NFL, he racked up 200 sacks.
The Future of the Sack Record
The future of the sack record is unclear. In the past, records have been broken and then tied again. It is possible that another player will come along and break the sack record. However, it is also possible that the sack record will remain unchanged for many years to come.
