Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns is rapidly approaching the NFL’s single-season sack record with 21.5 sacks in the current season. With three games remaining, Garrett looks poised to challenge the historic mark for quarterback takedowns.
However, the question arises: whose sack record is Garrett aiming to break? Officially, the NFL recognizes 22.5 sacks as the single-season record, shared by Michael Strahan (set in October) and T.J. Watt (achieved the following October). The NFL did not begin officially recording sacks until 1982, which complicates the historical leaderboard.
Before sacks were officially tracked, Al “Bubba” Baker reportedly recorded 23 sacks in September with the Detroit Lions. His total, though unofficial, is widely accepted by football researchers and historians who meticulously reviewed old game footage and play-by-plays. Baker himself recently praised Garrett, saying, “He’s a phenomenal end,” and predicted Garrett would surpass Baker’s unofficial total.
Hall of Famer Jared Allen also claims to have reached 23 sacks in a season, but the NFL’s official record shows 22. Allen said his total was reduced due to a stat correction that changed a crucial sack to a “team sack.” Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback involved, supports Allen’s contention and has publicly stated Allen deserves the all-time sack record.
Adding complexity, legendary pass rusher Deacon Jones is credited with 22 sacks in two separate 14-game seasons before sacks were officially recorded. Strahan and Watt set their mark over longer seasons with 16 and 17 games, respectively. This difference in games played fuels ongoing debates about how to fairly compare players across different eras.
Researchers John Turney and Nick Webster have long worked to credit pre-1982 sacks with rigorous methods, though the NFL has not formally adopted such historical data. Despite the debate, Garrett’s achievement is remarkable considering he plays on one of the league’s lowest-ranked teams, which faces fewer passing snaps and opportunities for sacks.
Garrett’s sack pursuit highlights the complexity in comparing football records across eras, involving unofficial data, changes in season length, and evolving game strategies. Regardless of which record is considered “official,” Garrett’s dominant play under challenging circumstances has captured football fans’ attention nationwide.
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