List of NFL annual sacks leaders

This is a list of National Football League (NFL) players who have led the regular season in sacks each year.

[1] Michael Strahan of the New York Giants and T. J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers hold the official record with 22.5, which Strahan set during the 2001 season, and Watt matched during the 2021 season.

[2] The Deacon Jones Award was established by the NFL in 2013 to recognize the annual leader in sacks, named after the former defensive end Deacon Jones who led the league in sacks five times.

[3] Since 1982, there have only been two players who have led the league in sacks with two different teams, Jared Allen (2007 with the Chiefs and 2011 with the Vikings) and Kevin Greene (1994 with the Steelers and 1996 with the Panthers).

Note that the sack totals from 1960 to 1981 are considered unofficial by the NFL.

Jared Allen in a Minnesota Vikings jersey and helmet
Jared Allen led the league in sacks in 2007 and 2011.
Al Baker headshot in a Detroit Lions jersey
Al Baker is the unofficial NFL record holder with 23 sacks during the 1978 NFL season . [ 2 ]
Deacon Jones headshot
The Deacon Jones Award, given annually to the player who leads the league in sacks, is named after Deacon Jones . Jones unofficially led the league in sacks five times.