Many NFL single-season records are in jeopardy with the focus on stats driving salaries higher and the regular season expanded to 17 games.
One stat that is destined to fall, according to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, is the single-season sack record of 22.5, held by former New York Giants Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan (2001) and Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (2021).
Strahan surpassed New York Jets defensive end Mark Gastineau’s record of 22 in the final game of the 2001 season with a sack of Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who gave himself up behind the line of scrimmage, leading critics to question the validity of the record.
Watt tied Strahan’s mark, but did it in only 15 games played in the first year of the 17-game schedule. Knox points out Watt isn’t alone in the pursuit of sole possession of the record.
Watt is not the only sack artist who will be in the running this year. Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald has a 20.5-sack season (2018) on his resume and is always a threat to lead the league in quarterback takedowns.
The NFL is filled with talented up-and-coming pass-rushers and aggressive schemes. Last season, Watt, Nick Bosa, Robert Quinn and Myles Garrett all topped 15 sacks and could claim the record with a jump of 7.5 sacks or fewer in 2022.
Strahan has moved on to bigger and better things in his life but held the record for over two decades. It was part of the resume that earned Strahan induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
The Giants retired Strahan’s No. 92 jersey last season.
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