While he’s already made his share of NFL history, T.J. Watt is on the precipice of setting a record that would truly distinguish himself among the fraternity of legendary pass rushers. The Steelers’ perennial Pro Bowl linebacker is two games away from becoming the first player since the league started keeping track of individual sacks in 1982 to lead the NFL in sacks on three separate occasions.
Watt currently has 17 sacks, one more than Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson and 1.5 more than Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter.
The 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Watt is already only the eighth player since 1982 to lead the league in sacks multiple times. His older brother, JJ Watt, was the most recent player to accomplish that feat during his stellar run with the Texans in the 2010s.
While the NFL doesn’t recognize them, Pro Football Reference has unofficial sack tallies of players dating to 1960. When you include those numbers, a dozen players have led the NFL in sacks multiple times over the past 63 years. Deacon Jones, a legendary pass rusher who actually coined the term “sack” during his Hall of Fame career with the Rams, led the NFL in sacks five times, according to PFR.
Players to lead NFL in sacks multiple times
T.J. Watt
2020, 2021
J.J. Watt
2012, 2015
Jared Allen
2007, 2011
DeMarcus Ware
2008, 2010
Michael Strahan
2001, 2003
Kevin Greene
1994, 1996
Reggie White
1987, 1988
Mark Gastineau
1983, 1984
Jack Youngblood
1974, 1979
Al Baker 1978, 1980Deacon Jones 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969 Jim Katcavage 1962, 1963
Watt becoming the first player in the post merger era to lead the NFL in sacks would surely add to his future Hall of Fame resume. Earlier this season, Watt became the second-fastest player to record his 90th career sack, which occurred in his 98th game.
Watt also make history this season when he broke former teammate James Harrison’s franchise…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-t-j-watt-closing-in-on-nfl-history-as-first-player-to-lead-league-in-sacks-three-different-times/
Author : Bryan DeArdo
Publish date : 2023-12-28 16:59:02
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