Steelers’ T.J. Watt closing in on NFL history as first player to lead league in sacks three different times

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

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.