Who Holds The NFL Sack Record In A Season?

We all know that NFL defenses are getting better and better each year. So it’s no surprise that the record for most sacks in a season is constantly being broken. But who currently holds the record?

Michael Strahan

Michael Strahan, former defensive end for the New York Football Giants, holds the NFL sack record in a season. He recorded 22.5 sacks during the 2001-2002 NFL season.

22.5 sacks in 2001

In 2001, Michael Strahan had a season for the ages. The New York Giants defensive end racked up 22.5 sacks, which set a new NFL record. In addition to his sack total, Strahan had 84 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. That season, the Giants went on to win Super Bowl XXXV over the Baltimore Ravens.

Defeated Brett Favre in NFC Championship

In 2001, Strahan had one of the most memorable moments of his career when he sacked Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre to end the NFC Championship game and send the Giants to Super Bowl XXXV.

Jared Allen

Jared Allen played in the NFL for 12 seasons and is currently 3rd all time in sacks. He had 22 sacks in his best season which is tied for the 4th most in a season. He played Defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears.

22 sacks in 2011

In 2011, Jared Allen had 22 sacks for the Minnesota Vikings, which is the NFL record for sacks in a season. He also has the most sacks in a season for any player in NFL history, with 15.5 sacks in 2007.

Helped the Vikings make the playoffs

In 2007, Allen helped the Vikings make the playoffs for the first time in four years. He finished the season with 15.5 sacks and was named a first-team All-Pro for the second consecutive year. He was also named the NFC Defensive Player of the Year by the NFL Players Association.

DeMarcus Ware

DeMarcus Ware is a former American football outside linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons. He played college football at Troy, where he was a four-year letterman. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, and he also played for the Denver Broncos.

20 sacks in 2008

In 2008, Ware recorded a career-high 20 sacks, leading the NFL and setting a new Cowboys franchise record. His 20 sacks also tied Michael Strahan’s single-season record. Ware’s impressive season helped him earn his first NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, as well as first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.

Helped the Cowboys make the playoffs

DeMarcus Ware is a former American football outside linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons. He started his career with the Dallas Cowboys, who selected him in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, and he spent twelve seasons with the team. Upon exiting the Cowboys, Ware signed a three-year contract with the Denver Broncos, with whom he played for two seasons before retiring. He ranks second all-time in sacks for the Cowboys, and is one of six players to have at least 100 career sacks. He holds the NFL record for sacks in a single season with 20.5, which he accomplished in 2008.

Derrick Thomas

In 1998, Derrick Thomas set the NFL record for sacks in a season with 20.5. He accomplished this in just 16 games. Thomas was a first round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1989 NFL Draft. He played his entire 11-year career with the Chiefs.

20 sacks in 1990

In 1990, Derrick Thomas set the NFL record for sacks in a season with 20. This mark has since been eclipsed by Michael Strahan, who recorded 22.5 sacks in 2001.

Helped the Chiefs make the playoffs

The following season, Thomas again helped the Chiefs make the playoffs with 12 sacks. He also had 4 sacks in 3 playoff games. In the 1993 season, Thomas recorded 20 sacks, which was an NFL record for a linebacker at the time. The 20 sacks also tied him with Reggie White for second-most in a season in NFL history.