Watt nearing Strahan's single-season record after 4-sack night vs. Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt is in striking distance of Michael Strahan's single-season sack record.
Watt recorded a career-high four sacks Monday night against the Cleveland Browns, putting him at 21.5 on the season. He's now just one shy of tying Strahan's mark.
21.5 SACKS FOR @_TJWATT.
— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2022
He's one away from tying the NFL record! #HereWeGo
📺: #CLEvsPIT on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/cgTGrVtr6i pic.twitter.com/BH29WgpmCN
Strahan's record has stood since the 2001 season, though a few competitors have come close in recent years.
| Name | Year | Sacks |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Strahan | 2001 | 22.5 |
| Jared Allen | 2011 | 22 |
| Mark Gastineau | 1984 | 22 |
| Justin Houston | 2014 | 22 |
| T.J. Watt | 2021 | 21.5 |
Although this season features an extra game, Watt has managed to close in on the all-time record despite missing time with injuries. The 27-year-old has played in 14 contests thus far.
Since being selected by Pittsburgh as a first-round pick in 2017, Watt has recorded 71 sacks across five seasons. The Steelers made Watt the highest-paid defensive player this offseason with a contract averaging just over $28 million per year, according to Spotrac.
The Steelers take on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.