NFL 2023 - The NFL's Sack Leaders

Sack leaders often receive recognition for their ability to disrupt opposing offenses and put pressure on quarterbacks. They play a crucial role in the success of their respective teams' defenses.

The art of the pass rush was on full display last season, as 2022 featured the third most sacks (1,297) in a season since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, trailing only 1984 (1,313 sacks) and 1985 (1,306).

NICK BOSA, the AP Defensive Player of the Year, led the NFL with a career high 18.5 sacks and became the fifth player since 1982 to record at least 15 sacks in two of his first four NFL seasons, joining Reggie White (three seasons with at least 15 sacks), Richard Dent (two), Andre Tippett (two) and J.J. Watt (two). He also became the fourth player since 1982 to record at least one sack in 13 games within a single season, joining DeMarcus Ware (14 games in 2008), Justin Houston (13 in 2014) and Chandler Jones (13 in 2017).

This season, Bosa can become the fourth player since 1982 to lead the NFL in sacks in consecutive seasons, joining Mark Gastineau (1983--84), T.J. Watt (2020--21) and Reggie White (1987--88). He can also become the third player since 1982 with at least 15 sacks in three of his first five career seasons, joining J.J. Watt and Reggie White.

MYLES GARRETT, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, led the AFC and ranked tied for second in NFL in 2022 with a career--high 16 sacks and recorded seven games with at least 1.5 sacks, the most among all players. He recorded 61.5 sacks in his first 70 career games, trailing only Reggie White (79) and T.J. Watt (62) for the most sacks by a player in his first 70 games since 1982.

Garrett, who has 74.5 sacks in 84 career games, needs 10.5 sacks in his first 16 games of the 2023 season to become the fourth player since 1982 with at least 85 sacks in his first 100 career games, joining Reggie White (105 sacks), J.J. Watt (87.5) and DeMarcus Ware (85). He also can become the fourth player since 1982 with at least 10 sacks in six of his first seven seasons, joining Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Reggie White.

Another member of the 2017 Draft class, T.J. WATT, has recorded 77.5 sacks over the past six seasons (most in the NFL) and last season, became the third--fastest player (84 games) since 1982 to reach 75 career sacks, trailing Reggie White (65 games) and his brother, J.J. Watt (82).

In 2023, Watt needs 8.5 sacks to surpass Aaron Donald (85.5 sacks) for the third--most by a player in his first seven seasons since 1982 and needs 10.5 sacks in his first 13 games to surpass J.J. Watt (87.5 sacks) for the secondmost by a player in his first 100 career games since 1982.

Since entering the NFL in 2014, AARON DONALD leads all players with 103 sacks and 160 tackles for loss. He is the only player with at least 10 tackles for loss in each of the past nine seasons and one of two with at least five sacks in each of the past nine seasons. With five sacks in 2023, he can join Jared Allen, Ryan Kerrigan, Cameron Wake and DeMarcus Ware as the only players who began their careers after 2000 to record five--or--more sacks in each of their first 10 NFL seasons.

Since being selected by Dallas with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, no player has more games with at least two sacks over the past two seasons than MICAH PARSONS, whose nine career games with at least two sacks are tied with Aldon Smith for the most such games by a player in his first two career seasons since 1982. Last season, he recorded a career--high 13.5 sacks and became the third player since 1982 with at least 13 sacks in each of his first two seasons, joining Aldon Smith (2011--12) and Reggie White (1985--86). Only White reached the mark in each of his first three seasons since 1982.

The PHILADELPHIA EAGLES led the NFL with 70 sacks in 2022, tied with the 1987 Chicago Bears (70 sacks) for the third--most sacks by a team in a season in NFL history. Only the 1984 Chicago Bears (72 sacks) and 1989 Minnesota Vikings (71) had more.

The Eagles became the first team with four players each with at least 10 sacks in a single season since 1982: HAASON REDDICK – 16 sacks; BRANDON GRAHAM -- 11 sacks; JAVON HARGRAVE – 11 sacks; JOSH SWEAT -- 11 sacks.

NFL 2023 - The NFL's Sack Leaders this Season