The Most Sacked Quarterbacks in NFL History and Their Record-Breaking Seasons

Throughout the history of the National Football League (NFL), several quarterbacks have faced significant pressure from opposing defenses, resulting in a high number of sacks. An in-depth look at the records and career highlights of these quarterbacks reveals an interesting mix of individual and team dynamics that contribute to their historic sack totals.

David Carr: The Average Sack Leader

As of August 2023, the quarterback who has faced the highest average number of sacks per game in NFL history is David Carr. Carr averaged approximately 3.09 sacks per game throughout his career. This consistent pressure is noteworthy, particularly considering his less-than-stellar performance in the offensive line, where he played for several teams, most notably the Houston Texans.

Brett Favre: The Career Sack Leader

Brett Favre, a Hall of Fame quarterback, holds the record for the most sacks in a career. Over his illustrious career with the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and Minnesota Vikings, Favre was sacked a total of 525 times. This durability and longevity in the league highlight Favre’s ability to withstand constant pressure from opposing defenses.

Current Sack Leaders and Rising Stars

The landscape of sack leaders is not stagnant, with several active quarterbacks pushing for top honors. Let's take a closer look at the current front-runners:

Justin Fields

Justin Fields, one of the two active quarterbacks on this list, has been particularly sacked during his 2023–24 season. After only 4 games, he has already faced 108 sacks in 31 games, averaging 3.48 sacks per game. This impressive figure is due to his frequent play, and he is well on his way to surpassing David Carr’s single-season record of 76 sacks in 2002. His current goal is to continue leading the league in sacks and potentially setting a new record.

Neil Lomax

Neil Lomax's 108-game career with the Cardinals saw him face 362 sacks, resulting in an average of 3.35 sacks per game. He was a two-time Pro-Bowler, showcasing his ability to withstand and often elude the pressure of opposing defenses.

Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson, another active quarterback, has accumulated 206 sacks in his 63-game career, averaging 3.27 sacks per game. During his time with the Cleveland Browns, he was a three-time Pro-Bowler, but after spending a year out of action, he joined the Houston Texans in his second season.

Randall Cunningham

Randall Cunningham stands out as one of the most prolific sack recipients in NFL history. Over his 16 seasons, he faced a total of 484 sacks, averaging 3.00 per game. His career was marked by numerous achievements, including being named an all-pro at the age of 35. During his 11 years with the Philadelphia Eagles, he led the NFL in sacks five times, with 72 sacks in 1986, the second-highest number in league history.

Conclusion

The records of quarterbacks like Brett Favre and the current active players exemplify the demanding nature of the quarterback position. Individual performance, combined with team dynamics, contributes to their sack totals. With active players like Justin Fields showing promise and current leaders like David Carr demonstrating consistent pressure on opposing defenses, the competition for the highest sack records continues to be fierce.