In the NFL, a sack is referred to as a defensive play wherein a player from the defense tackles the offense’s quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. This play needs to happen before the quarterback can pass the ball forward to be beneficial to the defensive team. The most beneficial part about a sack in football is the loss of yardage that it results in. Counted from the line of scrimmage, the loss in yardage on account of a sack, the new line of scrimmage set for the next play retreats several yards.
Defenders who specialize in the art of sacking are referred to as “sack artists” or “pass rushers.” The NFL maintains single-season and career records of the number of sacks made by a player as a separate statline. The official track for sack count started from the 1982 season.
Who holds the record for most career sacks?
As of January 2025, below given players have reached a milestone of 100 sacks:
| Rank | Player | Position | Number of Sacks |
| 1 | Bruce Smith | DE | 200 |
| 2 | Reggie White | DE | 198 |
| 3 | Kevin Greene | DE/OLB | 160 |
| 4 | Julius Peppers | DE/OLB | 159.5 |
| 5 | Chris Doleman | DE | 150.5 |
| 6 | Michael Strahan | DE | 141.5 |
| 7 | Jason Taylor | DE/OLB | 139.5 |
| 8 | Terrell Suggs | DE/OLB | 139 |
| 9 | DeMarcus Ware | DE/OLB | 138.5 |
| 10 | Richard Dent | DE | 137.5 |
| 11 | John Randle | DT | 137.5 |
| 12 | Jared Allen | DE | 136 |
| 13 | John Abraham | DE/OLB | 133.5 |
| 14 | Leslie O’Neal | DE | 132.5 |
| 15 | Lawrence Taylor | OLB | 132.5 |
| 16 | Von Miller | OLB/DE | 129.5 |
| 17 | Rickey Jackson | DE/OLB | 128 |
| 18 | Derrick Thomas | OLB | 126.5 |
| 19 | Dwight Freeney | DE/OLB | 125.5 |
| 20 | Robert Mathis | DE/OLB | 123 |
| 21 | Simeon Rice | DE | 122 |
| 22 | Clyde Simmons | DE | 121.5 |
| 23 | Cameron Jordan | DE | 121.5 |
| 24 | JJ Watt | DE | 114.5 |
| 25 | Sean Jones | DE | 113 |
| 26 | Chandler Jones | DE/OLB | 112 |
| 27 | Justin Houston | OLB | 112 |
| 28 | Aaron Donald | DT | 111 |
| 29 | Calais Campbell | DE | 110.5 |
| 30 | Greg Townsend | DE | 109.5 |
| 31 | T.J. Watt | OLB | 108 |
| 32 | Khalil Mack | OLB/DE | 107.5 |
| 33 | Pat Swilling | DE/OLB | 107.5 |
| 34 | Trace Armstrong | DE | 106 |
| 35 | Elvis Dumervil | DE/OLB | 105.5 |
| 36 | Kevin Carter | DE | 104.5 |
| 37 | Neil Smith | DE | 104.5 |
| 38 | Myles Garrett | DE | 102.5 |
| 39 | Jim Jeffcoat | DE | 102.5 |
| 40 | Robert Quinn | DE/OLB | 102 |
| 41 | William Fuller | DE | 100.5 |
| 42 | Charles Haley | DE/OLB | 100.5 |
| 43 | Cameron Wake | DE/OLB | 100.5 |
| 44 | Carlos Dunlap | DE | 100 |
| 45 | Andre Tippet | OLB | 100 |
At the top of the list, with the most career sacks in the history of the NFL, is Bruce Smith. Bruce Smith played in the NFL from 1985 to 2003 for the teams Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins. Recording a total of 200 sacks in his career, Bruce Smith is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
FAQs on National Football League Career Sacks Leaders
A. Bruce Smith has the most number of career sacks in the NFL. He has recorded 200 career sacks over his career.
A. Chicago Bears has the most number of sacks (72) in a single season as per Statmuse.
A. Von Miller is the active player with the most number of career sacks. Von Miller has 129.5 career sacks as per Pro Football reference.
A. Derrick Thomas has the most number of sacks recorded in a single game. He recorded 7 sacks in a single game (via Pro Football Reference).
