Who Has The Most Sacks In NFL History?
A look at the NFL sack leaders and where they rank on the all-time list.
Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan holds the NFL record for most sacks in a single season, with 22.5 in 2001. He is also tied for fourth place on the all-time list, with 151.5 sacks over his 15-year career.
Bruce Smith
With 200 career sacks, Bruce Smith is the NFL’s all-time leader in sacks. A defensive end who played for the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins, Smith was a first-round draft pick in 1985 and went on to play 19 seasons in the NFL. He was a 10-time Pro Bowl selection and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1987 and 1996. In his Hall of Fame career, Smith recorded 1,075 tackles, 28 forced fumbles, and 11 fumble recoveries.
Reggie White
Reggie White, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and Carolina Panthers, is the all-time leader in sacks with 198.5. Lawrence Taylor, who played his entire career with the New York Giants, is second with 166.5 sacks. White is also the only player in NFL history to have been named first-team All-Pro more than eight times in his career.
Kevin Greene
As of the end of the 2019 NFL season, Kevin Greene has the most sacks in NFL history with 160. He played for four different teams during his 15-year career, and was a Pro Bowl selection five times. Greene was also named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1996.
Jared Allen
With 134 career sacks, Jared Allen is one of the most prolific pass rushers in NFL history. The six-time Pro Bowler played 12 seasons in the league, racked up double-digit sack totals in eight of them, and led the league in sacks twice. He retired after the 2015 season as the NFL’s active leader in sacks, and his legacy as one of the greatest defensive players of his generation is secure.
