Quiz: Can You Name Each NFL Team’s Single-Season Sack Leader?
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The Los Angeles Rams made a seismic move when they traded for Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns, and that move set off a chain reaction that seemed inevitable: Aaron Donald coming out of retirement. With the preseason now behind them and a Week 1 showdown against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia approaching, the wait is over. Donald has signed a one-year contract worth $20 million, with an additional $10 million available in playoff incentives.
Donald hasn't taken a snap in an NFL game since 2023, but he still managed eight sacks that season. At 35 years old, he remains a force to be reckoned with. He has been working out with the team since early August, though head coach Sean McVay has not yet confirmed whether the three-time Defensive Player of the Year will suit up for Week 1. The 10-time Pro Bowler, who has 111.0 career sacks, told Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith that his trainer insists he hasn't "missed a step." That prospect should terrify offensive lines across the league.
Donald already has a Super Bowl ring and holds the Rams' single-season sack record since the statistic was officially tracked in 1982, with 20.5 sacks in his 2018 Defensive Player of the Year campaign. That brings us to today's quiz: can you name the player with the most sacks in one season for each NFL franchise?
The quiz covers 36 teams, with a five-minute timer. Here are the answers: Arizona Cardinals – Chandler Jones (19.0, 2019); Atlanta Falcons – John Abraham (16.5, 2008); Baltimore Ravens – Elvis Dumervil (17.0, 2014); Buffalo Bills – Bruce Smith (19.0, 1990); Carolina Panthers – Kevin Greene (15.0, 1998) and Greg Hardy (15.0, 2013); Chicago Bears – Robert Quinn (18.5, 2021); Cincinnati Bengals – Trey Hendrickson (17.5, 2024); Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett (23.0, 2025); Dallas Cowboys – DeMarcus Ware (20.0, 2008); Denver Broncos – Von Miller (18.5, 2012); Detroit Lions – Robert Porcher (15.0, 1999); Green Bay Packers – Tim Harris (19.5, 1989); Houston Texans – J.J. Watt (20.5, 2014); Indianapolis Colts – Robert Mathis (19.5, 2013); Jacksonville Jaguars – Josh Hines-Allen (17.5, 2023); Kansas City Chiefs – Justin Houston (22.0, 2014); Los Angeles Chargers – Leslie O'Neal (17.0, 1992), Shawne Merriman (17.0, 2006), and Khalil Mack (17.0, 2023); Los Angeles Rams – Aaron Donald (20.5, 2018); Las Vegas Raiders – Derrick Burgess (16.0, 2005); Miami Dolphins – Jason Taylor (18.5, 2002); Minnesota Vikings – Jared Allen (22.0, 2011); New England Patriots – Andre Tippett (18.5, 1984); New Orleans Saints – La'Roi Glover (17.0, 2000) and Pat Swilling (17.0, 1991); New York Giants – Michael Strahan (22.5, 2001); New York Jets – Mark Gastineau (22.0, 1984); Philadelphia Eagles – Reggie White (21.0, 1987); Pittsburgh Steelers – T.J. Watt (22.5, 2021); Seattle Seahawks – Michael Sinclair (16.5, 1998); San Francisco 49ers – Aldon Smith (19.5, 2012); Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Shaquil Barrett (19.5, 2019); Tennessee Titans – William Fuller (15.0, 1991); Washington Commanders – Dexter Manley (18.5, 1986).
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Tommy Fradenburg, a freelance writer and UNC Chapel Hill alum based in Charlotte, North Carolina, follows the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, Tar Heels, and West Ham United. Find more of his work on Twitter @tommyfradenburg.
Article commentary
The return of Aaron Donald to the Los Angeles Rams represents more than just a nostalgic reunion; it is a strategic maneuver that could reshape the NFC landscape. Donald's decision to come out of retirement, following the Rams' trade for Myles Garrett, highlights a franchise willing to go all-in on a championship window. The one-year, $20 million deal with substantial playoff incentives underscores the Rams' belief that they are contenders now, not just rebuilders. Donald's absence from the game since 2023 raises obvious questions about rust and conditioning, but his track record suggests he can still be a dominant force. At 35, he is not the same player he was at 28, but his intelligence, technique, and motor remain elite. The fact that he has been training with the team since August indicates he is serious about his return, and Sean McVay's coyness about his Week 1 status only adds intrigue. The matchup against the 49ers in Australia—a game with global exposure—could be a perfect stage for Donald to remind everyone what he brings. Meanwhile, the quiz on single-season sack leaders serves as a fun reminder of how the game has evolved. The list includes Hall of Famers like Reggie White and Michael Strahan alongside modern greats like J.J. Watt and T.J. Watt. Notably, Myles Garrett's 23.0 sacks in 2025 for the Browns represents the highest total on the list, surpassing even Donald's 20.5. That stat underscores Garrett's ascent as the premier pass rusher in the league, and the Rams' move to acquire him alongside Donald could create a fearsome duo. From a broader perspective, the quiz highlights the cyclical nature of NFL talent. Many teams have seen their sack records fall to players who spent only a few seasons with the franchise, such as Chandler Jones with the Cardinals or Shaquil Barrett with the Buccaneers. Others, like Bruce Smith with the Bills, are synonymous with their teams. The data also reveals positional trends: edge rushers dominate the list, but interior linemen like Aaron Donald and J.J. Watt prove that defensive tackles can be just as disruptive. One interesting takeaway is the number of players who achieved their record-breaking seasons relatively recently. Of the 36 entries, 10 occurred in the 2020s, indicating that passing is more prevalent than ever, and sack artists are thriving. However, the absence of some legendary names—like Lawrence Taylor (his best was 20.5, but Michael Strahan holds the Giants' record) or Deacon Jones—shows that records are made to be broken. Ultimately, the combination of Donald's return and the quiz offers a moment to appreciate the art of the sack. It is a violent, decisive play that can swing games. As the NFL season gets underway, fans will be watching to see if Donald can still deliver, and whether the Rams' gamble pays off. The quiz is a fun distraction, but the real test begins on the field.