Many have come close over the years, but no one in the NFL has yet to break the single-season sack record set by New York Giants legend Michael Strahan, who recorded 22.5 quarterback takedowns during the 2001 season.
However, if edge rusher Dante Fowler, who just signed a $48 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, has his way, that record will be shattered in 2020.
“I have a lot to prove … you guys haven’t seen nothing yet,” Fowler said, via the team’s official website. “In order to be the best edge rusher in the league, you have to put up double-digits [sacks] every year. That’s my job, that’s my goal to be consistent every year come out with double digits. This year was 11.5, I want to have more than 11.5-12.5 every year.
“The goal is to break Michael Strahan’s record. That’s the goal. You have to put a lot of work in, though.”
That’s quite a lofty goal for the former first-round draft pick, who recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2019. Never before had Fowler recorded more than 8.0 sacks in a season, and his 27.5 career sacks barely edge out Strahan’s single-season total.
We’re not saying that Fowler couldn’t take down Strahan’s sack record or that the 22.5 number will forever remain untouched, but even at his best, Fowler hasn’t come close to date.
Strahan’s sack record will undoubtedly fall in time, but don’t expect that to come in 2020. Perhaps when the NFL expands to a 17th regular season game in 2021 we’ll see it brought down, but at least for one more year, Strahan is probably safe.
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