Former Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Watt set the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise sack record last night with No. 81.5, breaking a tie with NFL great James Harrison.
Watt’s career numbers are ridiculous: 89 games played, 81.5 sacks, six interceptions, 25 forced fumbles, 250 total tackles and three First-Team All-Pro selections. He is without question the best defensive player in the NFL.
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What is as impressive as the counting stats is his torrid pace. He’s been the NFL’s premier outside linebacker since he entered the league in 2017, and hasn’t slowed down once.
For some context: Watt reached his record-setting 81.5 sack total in only 89 games played, averaging out to 0.92 sacks per game. The former record holder Harrison reached 80.5 in 177 games, averaging 0.45 sacks per game. Watt did what Harrison did but nearly exactly half of the time.
T.J. Watt – your new all-time sack leader in Pittsburgh.
James Harrison – 80.5 sacks in 177 games
Watt – 81.5 sacks in 89 games— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) September 19, 2023
How about some larger NFL context: Watt’s 0.92 sacks per game ranks No. 1 in NFL history for players who have played in at least 16 NFL games.
Here’s the leaderboard:
- T.J. Watt: 0.92
- Myles Garrett: 0.88
- Reggie White: 0.85
- Micah Parsons: 0.84
- Mark Gastineau: 0.83
- Nick Bosa: 0.81
- Lawrence Taylor: 0.79
- DeMarcus Ware: 0.78
- Dexter Manley: 0.77
- Von Miller: 0.77
- J.J. Watt: 0.76
There is an argument that T.J. Watt is the single most prolific pass-rusher in NFL history.