What Is The NFL Season Sack Record?
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The National Football League (NFL) season sack record is 24.5, set by Michael Strahan of the New York Giants in 2001.
Michael Strahan – 22.5 sacks in a season
The NFL season sack record is currently held by Michael Strahan, who recorded 22.5 sacks for the New York Giants during the 2001 season. This was an exceptional year for Strahan, as he also set the single-season record for forced fumbles (10) and tied the mark for sacks in a game (4).
Jared Allen – 22 sacks in a season
In 2011, Jared Allen became just the sixth player in NFL history to record 22 or more sacks in a season. He did it by sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers twice in the final game of the season.
Allen’s sack total was the most in the NFL since 2001, when Michael Strahan set the single-season record with 22.5 sacks.
Since Allen’s record-breaking season, only two other players have come close to matching his mark. In 2012, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt had 20.5 sacks, and in 2014, St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn had 19 sacks.
DeMarcus Ware – 20.5 sacks in a season
In 2008, DeMarcus Ware set the NFL single-season sack record with 20.5 sacks for the Dallas Cowboys. He actually had 20 sacks in 15 games, as he was rested in the final game of the season with the Cowboys having already clinched the NFC East title.
Jason Taylor – 20.5 sacks in a season
In 2006, Jason Taylor of the Miami Dolphins recorded 20.5 sacks in a season, which is the NFL season sack record. Taylor’s record-breaking season came during his 12th year in the NFL, and he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year as a result. In total, Taylor played 15 seasons in the NFL and recorded 139.5 sacks over the course of his career.
J.J. Watt – 20.5 sacks in a season
In 2012, Houston Texans’ defensive end J.J. Watt set the NFL season sack record with 20.5 sacks. The previous record was 22.5 sacks, set by Michael Strahan of the New York Giants in 2001.
