Who has the most career sacks for every NFL franchise?
Since sacks were established as an official statistic in the NFL, they have arguably been the most scrutinized and celebrated defensive metric. Who doesn’t admire an exceptional pass rusher? Apart from quarterbacks, there’s hardly anything a team desires more. How many top picks in the NFL Draft have been dedicated to pass rushers? While it’s whispered that sacks might be somewhat overrated as a statistic, there’s no denying the strategic advantage of bringing down the opposing quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. Who holds the record for career sacks with each NFL franchise? The answers are provided below.
Arizona Cardinals – Freddie Joe Nunn: Nunn may not be a widely recognized name, but he holds the Cardinals’ record. Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985, he remained with the team through 1993 during their transition to the Phoenix Cardinals. In that tenure, he accumulated 66.5 sacks for the Cardinals while wearing three different jersey numbers.
Atlanta Falcons – John Abraham: Abraham, primarily known as a Jet, spent a significant portion of his career with the Falcons, amassing 68.5 sacks during his time with the franchise out of his total of 133.5 career sacks.
Baltimore Ravens – Terrell Suggs: Suggs, often overshadowed by other defensive stars on the Ravens, notably Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, was a dominant pass rusher for the team, securing 132.5 sacks, including a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2011, and winning two Super Bowls with Baltimore.
Buffalo Bills – Bruce Smith: Smith, the NFL’s all-time sack leader, unsurprisingly holds the record for most sacks with a single franchise, tallying a remarkable 171 sacks with the Bills, including two Defensive Player of the Year honors, despite a brief stint with Washington.
Carolina Panthers – Julius Peppers: Peppers, drafted second overall by the Panthers, proved to be a stellar pick, accumulating 97 sacks during his tenure in Carolina, where the bulk of his career unfolded, amidst stints with Chicago and Green Bay.
Chicago Bears – Richard Dent: Dent, a dominant force in the ’80s, recorded 124.5 sacks with the Bears, contributing significantly to the defense of the legendary ’85 team.
Cincinnati Bengals – Carlos Dunlap: Dunlap, although no longer with the Bengals, impressed during his time in Cincinnati, notching 82.5 sacks, surpassing all previous records for the f Cleveland Browns – Clay Matthews Jr.: Matthews, the father of the more recent Clay Matthews, played for the Browns and retired as the oldest player to record a sack, securing 62 sacks during his tenure.
Dallas Cowboys – DeMarcus Ware: Ware, drafted 11th overall, proved to be a valuable asset for the Cowboys, setting records with 117 sacks and 32 forced fumbles during his time with the franchise.
Denver Broncos – Von Miller: Miller, still playing for the Broncos, holds the franchise record with 106 sacks, establishing himself as one of the premier pass rushers in the league.
1 Detroit Lions – Robert Porcher: Porcher, despite playing his entire career with the Lions, remains somewhat underrated, accumulating 95.5 sacks and earning three All-Pro selections.
Green Bay Packers – Clay Matthews III: The younger Matthews holds the Packers’ sack record with 82.5 sacks, continuing the family legacy of pass-rushing excellence.
Houston Texans – J.J. Watt: Watt, a dominant force in the NFL and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, has amassed 100 sacks with the Texans and continues to add to his impressive tally.
Indianapolis Colts – Robert Mathis: Mathis, often overlooked in favor of Dwight Freeney, compiled 123 sacks during his career with the Colts, including a stellar 19.5-sack season.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Tony Brackens: Brackens holds the Jaguars’ sack record with 55 sacks, reflecting the franchise’s relatively short history and modest sack totals.
