NFL RecordsNFL All-Time Sack Leaders
Top 25 career sack leaders (official stats since 1982)
| Rank | Player | Sacks | Position | Years Active | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruce Smith | 200.0 | DE | 1985-2003 | BUF, WAS |
| 2 | Reggie White | 198.0 | DE | 1985-2000 | PHI, GB, CAR |
| 3 | Kevin Greene | 160.0 | LB | 1985-1999 | LA, PIT, CAR, SF |
| 4 | Julius Peppers | 159.5 | DE | 2002-2018 | CAR, CHI, GB |
| 5 | Chris Doleman | 150.5 | LB/DE | 1985-1999 | MIN, ATL, SF |
| 6 | Michael Strahan | 141.5 | DE | 1993-2007 | NYG |
| 7 | DeMarcus Ware | 138.5 | LB | 2005-2016 | DAL, DEN |
| 8 | Jared Allen | 136.0 | DE | 2004-2015 | KC, MIN, CHI, CAR |
| 9 | John Randle | 137.5 | DT | 1990-2003 | MIN, SEA |
| 10 | Terrell Suggs | 139.0 | LB | 2003-2019 | BAL, ARI, KC |
| 11 | Rickey Jackson | 128.0 | LB | 1981-1995 | NO, SF |
| 12 | Von Miller | 126.0 | LB | 2011-2024 | DEN, LA, BUF |
| 13 | Jason Taylor | 132.5 | LB/DE | 1997-2011 | MIA, WAS, NYJ |
| 14 | Cameron Jordan | 117.5 | DE | 2011-2024 | NO |
| 15 | Leslie O'Neal | 132.5 | LB/DE | 1986-1999 | SD, STL, KC |
| 16 | Richard Dent | 137.5 | DE | 1983-1997 | CHI, SF, IND, PHI |
| 17 | Robert Mathis | 123.0 | LB | 2003-2016 | IND |
| 18 | Dwight Freeney | 125.5 | DE | 2002-2017 | IND, SD, ARI, ATL, SEA, DET |
| 19 | Simeon Rice | 122.0 | DE | 1996-2007 | ARI, TB, IND, DEN |
| 20 | Chandler Jones | 111.5 | LB | 2012-2023 | NE, ARI, LV |
| 21 | Clyde Simmons | 121.5 | DE | 1986-1998 | PHI, ARI, JAX, CIN, CHI |
| 22 | Derrick Thomas | 126.5 | LB | 1989-1999 | KC |
| 23 | Cameron Wake | 100.5 | LB | 2009-2019 | MIA, TEN |
| 24 | Patrick Kerney | 95.5 | DE | 1999-2009 | ATL, SEA |
| 25 | T.J. Watt | 104.5 | LB | 2017-2024 | PIT |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the most sacks in NFL history?
Bruce Smith holds the all-time NFL record with 200 career sacks over his 19-year career with the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins. He was drafted 1st overall in the 1985 NFL Draft.
How many players have recorded over 150 sacks?
Five players have surpassed 150 career sacks: Bruce Smith (200), Reggie White (198), Kevin Greene (160), Julius Peppers (159.5), and Chris Doleman (150.5).
When did sacks become an official NFL stat?
Sacks became an official NFL statistic in 1982. Prior to that, sacks were tracked unofficially. Legends like Deacon Jones and Alan Page would likely rank higher if their full careers were officially counted.