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Who holds the NFL record for most sacks in a single season?

November 25, 2025
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All eyes—of opposing defenses and fans—are on the Cleveland Browns‘ prolific pass rusher Myles Garrett as he continues to torment NFL quarterbacks in 2025.

Heading into his Week 13 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Garrett currently has 18 sacks, which puts him on pace to top the record, both official and unofficial.

That total?

Since the NFL began officially recording the defensive stat in 1982, most have 22.5 sacks as the top of Pass Rush Mountain. Others might look beyond such statistical squeezing to the times of yesteryear—in this case, pre-1982—which would actually put the record number at 23.

Regardless, Garrett’s dominant run this NFL season has him nearing the doorstep of a distinct club of defensive juggernauts who have totaled more than 20 sacks in a single season.

We begin in Dallas, Texas…

DeMarcus Ware

Dec 20, 2008; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) rushes the passer against the Baltimore Ravens at Texas Stadium.

Year: 2008

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Sacks: 20.0

Derrick Thomas

Dec 16, 1990; Kansas City, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon (1) looks to throw the ball against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) at Arrowhead Stadium during the 1990 season.

Year: 1990

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Sacks: 20.0

Harvey Martin

Jan 22, 1983; Washington, DC, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Harvey Martin (79) and Washington Redskins tackle Joe Jacoby (66) engage during a play of the 1983 NFC Championship game at RFK Stadium. Washington defeated Dallas 31-17.

Year: 1977

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Sacks: 20.0

Mark Gastineau 

Year: 1981

Team: New York Jets

Sacks: 20.0

J.J. Watt

November 18, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) looks for an open receiver as Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) pressures during the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium.

Year: 2012 and 2014

Team: Houston Texans

Sacks: 20.5

Lawrence Taylor

Jan 5, 1986; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Giants linebacker (56) LAWRENCE TAYLOR pursues Chicago Bears quarterback (9) JIM MC MAHON at Soldier Field during the 1985 NFC Divisional Playoff Game. The Bears defeated the Giants 21-0.

Year: 1986

Team: New York Giants

Sacks: 20.5

Joe Klecko

Jan 23, 1983; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Jets defensive tackle Joe Klecko (73) in action against the Miami Dolphins at the Orange Bowl. The Dolphins won 14-0.

Year: 1981

Team: New York Jets

Sacks: 20.5

Jim Katcavage

Nov 15, 1964; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; St. Louis Cardinals running back Prentice Gautt (22) is hit by New York Giants defensive end Jim Katcavage (75) during the mud bowl of 1964 at Busch Stadium. The teams played to a 10-10 tie.

Year: 1963

Team: New York Giants

Sacks: 20.5

Aaron Donald

Dec 23, 2018; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) celebrates a second half sack against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.

Year: 2018

Team: Los Angeles Rams

Sacks: 20.5

Reggie White

Sep 20, 1987; Philadelphia, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Reggie White (92) in action against the New Orleans Saints. White had 3 solo tackles and 1.5 sacks for 16 yards in loss.

Year: 1987

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Sacks: 21.0

Chris Doleman

Jan 1, 1989; San Francisco, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana (16) is chased by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Chris Doleman (56) during the 1988 NFC Divisional Playoff game at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Vikings 34-9.

Year: 1989

Team: Minnesota Vikings

Sacks: 21.0

Deacon Jones

Oct 15, 1967; Baltimore, MD, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Deacon Jones (75) pressures Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas (19) at Memorial Stadium. The Rams and Colts played to a 24-24 tie. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Year: 1967

Team: Los Angeles Rams

Sacks: 21.5

Coy Bacon 

Year: 1976

Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Sacks: 21.5

Deacon Jones

Sep 29, 1968; Cleveland, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Rams defensive end (75) Deacon Jones in action against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Stadium.

Year: 1964 and 1968

Team: Los Angeles Rams

Sacks: 22.0

Justin Houston 

Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium.

Year: 2014

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Sacks: 22.0

Mark Gastineau 

Dec 8, 1984; Buffalo, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Jets defensive end Mark Gastineau (99)in a cation against the Buffalo Bills. The Jets beat the Bills 21-17.

Year: 1984

Team: New York Jets

Sacks: 22.0

Jared Allen

Nov 14, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) scrambles with the football in front of Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field.

Year: 2011

Team: Minnesota Vikings

Sacks: 22.0

T.J. Watt

Dec 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) moves in for a sack on Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) during the third quarter at Heinz Field.

Year: 2021

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Sacks: 22.5

Michael Strahan

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell (8) scrambles out of the reach of New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan (92) for a first down during the first quarter of the pre-season game 09 August in East Rutherford, NJ.

Year: 2001

Team: New York Giants

Sacks: 22.5

Al Baker

Oct 15, 1978; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Steve Bartkowski (10) throws the ball against Detroit Lions defensive end Al Baker (60) at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

Year: 1978

Team: Detroit Lions

Sacks: 23.0

This article originally appeared on The List Wire: NFL single-season sack leaders: Players to record 20 or more sacks

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