The Eagles led the NFL with 70 sacks a year ago, but some decline is in order. They lost Javon Hargrave (11 sacks) in free agency, plus the last four teams to record 60-plus sacks in a season averaged just 42 a year later. But Haason Reddick isn't backing down.
Reddick's 16 sacks a year ago ranked 2nd in the league, and he tells the Philadelphia Inquirer he's prepared to build on that in 2023. "As crazy as it sounds, I feel as if there’s still more levels for me to tap into," he says. "I’m extremely excited and looking to build on another great year. I want to continue to progress on what I did and what the team did last year."
Odds are against Reddick improving on last season, but some other top pass rushers have done it. Staying healthy will be key, and he has a good track record there. He's missed only one game in his six-year career.
Since 2000, there have been 51 other players (prior to last year) who have recorded at least 15 sacks in a season. Of those players, six have come back with at least 15 sacks a year later. Not great odds (about 1 in 8), but it happens. And 17 more have followed up those 15-sack seasons with 10-plus sacks. Collectively, about 45 percent of the 15-sack guys have reached double-digits again the following season.
The below table shows all 15-sack players since 2000, sorted by total sacks the next season.
15-SACK PLAYERS, ONE YEAR LATER (2000-PRESENT) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Player | Team | Pos | Sk | Next? |
2022 | Nick Bosa | SFO | DE | 18.5 | ??? |
2022 | Haason Reddick | PHI | LB | 16.0 | ??? |
2022 | Myles Garrett | CLE | DE | 16.0 | ??? |
2022 | Chris Jones | KAN | DT | 15.5 | ??? |
2022 | Matt Judon | NWE | LB | 15.5 | ??? |
2020 | T.J. Watt | PIT | LOLB | 15.0 | 22.5 |
2010 | DeMarcus Ware | DAL | ROLB | 15.5 | 19.5 |
2021 | Nick Bosa | SFO | DE | 15.5 | 18.5 |
2014 | J.J. Watt | HOU | DE | 20.5 | 17.5 |
2021 | Myles Garrett | CLE | LDE | 16.0 | 16.0 |
2002 | Simeon Rice | TAM | RDE | 15.5 | 15.0 |
2007 | Jared Allen | KAN | RDE | 15.5 | 14.5 |
2017 | Chandler Jones | ARI | LOLB | 17.0 | 13.0 |
2002 | Jason Taylor | MIA | RDE | 18.5 | 13.0 |
2018 | Aaron Donald | LAR | RDT | 20.5 | 12.5 |
2006 | Shawne Merriman | SDG | OLB | 17.0 | 12.5 |
2006 | Aaron Kampman | GNB | LDE | 15.5 | 12.0 |
2011 | Jared Allen | MIN | RDE | 22.0 | 12.0 |
2003 | Simeon Rice | TAM | RDE | 15.0 | 12.0 |
2011 | DeMarcus Ware | DAL | ROLB | 19.5 | 11.5 |
2008 | DeMarcus Ware | DAL | ROLB | 20.0 | 11.0 |
2005 | Derrick Burgess | OAK | RDE | 16.0 | 11.0 |
2004 | Dwight Freeney | IND | RDE | 16.0 | 11.0 |
2015 | Khalil Mack | OAK | RDE | 15.0 | 11.0 |
2001 | Michael Strahan | NYG | LDE | 22.5 | 11.0 |
2012 | J.J. Watt | HOU | LDE | 20.5 | 10.5 |
2013 | Robert Quinn | STL | RDE | 19.0 | 10.5 |
2008 | James Harrison | PIT | ROLB | 16.0 | 10.0 |
2000 | Hugh Douglas | PHI | RDE | 15.0 | 9.5 |
2018 | Chris Jones | KAN | RDE | 15.5 | 9.0 |
2008 | Joey Porter | MIA | ROLB | 17.5 | 9.0 |
2012 | Aldon Smith | SFO | ROLB | 19.5 | 8.5 |
2012 | Cameron Wake | MIA | RDE | 15.0 | 8.5 |
2000 | La'Roi Glover | NOR | RDT | 17.0 | 8.0 |
2019 | Shaquil Barrett | TAM | ROLB | 19.5 | 8.0 |
2019 | Cameron Jordan | NOR | LDE | 15.5 | 7.5 |
2014 | Justin Houston | KAN | LOLB | 22.0 | 7.5 |
2011 | Jason Babin | PHI | LDE | 18.0 | 7.0 |
2001 | Peter Boulware | BAL | LB/DE | 15.0 | 7.0 |
2011 | Jason Pierre-Paul | NYG | RDE | 16.5 | 6.5 |
2014 | Elvis Dumervil | BAL | DE | 17.0 | 6.0 |
2000 | Warren Sapp | TAM | RDT | 16.5 | 6.0 |
2008 | John Abraham | ATL | RDE | 16.5 | 5.5 |
2021 | T.J. Watt | PIT | LOLB | 22.5 | 5.5 |
2003 | Adewale Ogunleye | MIA | LDE | 15.0 | 5.0 |
2016 | Vic Beasley | ATL | LILB | 15.5 | 5.0 |
2012 | Von Miller | DEN | LILB | 18.5 | 5.0 |
2018 | J.J. Watt | HOU | LDE | 16.0 | 4.0 |
2003 | Michael Strahan | NYG | LDE | 18.5 | 4.0 |
2015 | J.J. Watt | HOU | RDE | 17.5 | 1.5 |
2019 | Chandler Jones | ARI | LOLB | 19.0 | 1.0 |
2013 | Greg Hardy | CAR | RDE | 15.0 | 1.0 |
2021 | Robert Quinn | CHI | OLB | 18.5 | 1.0 |
2000 | Trace Armstrong | MIA | DE | 16.5 | 0.5 |
2009 | Elvis Dumervil | DEN | ROLB | 17.0 | 0.0 |
2013 | Robert Mathis | IND | ROLB | 19.5 | 0.0 |
Injury was the main bugaboo for the guys at the bottom of the table, with Watt, Dumervil and Mathis among the guys who missed all or most of the following season. Most of the guys who were able to stay on the field kept doing their thing; about two-third at least came back with 8 sacks.
Last year five guys had at least 15 sacks. I'm not sure any of them will do it again, but two of them (Bosa, Garrett) already have, as has T.J. Watt (who missed due to injury a year ago). I wouldn't bet against any at least finishing with 10-plus again this season.
--Andy Richardson