The Top Five Sack Seasons in Packers History
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers have featured some outstanding pass rushers in their 100-plus years of existence. Players like Willie Davis and Reggie White are among the greatest pass rushers the game has ever seen.
But quarterback sacks are a frustrating statistic for fans of NFL history. Before 1982, the league did not officially record sacks which means that the efforts of greats like Davis, Henry Jordan and even the best years of some later Packers like Ezra Johnson are not officially a part of the team’s sack totals.
Here is a look at the top five individual sack seasons in Packers history based on the information provided in the Packers media guide which goes back to 1972. This is with all apologies to players who performed before 1972 and do not have their records included in the team’s totals:
5. Ezra Johnson 14.5 1983
This is Ezra Johnson’s best official season and it took place in only the second year that sacks were an official statistic.
The former first-round pick out of Morris Brown provided the 1983 Packers with great speed off the edge.
Johnson had four multi-sack games that season including a three sack effort in Week 14 in the Packers 31-28 win over the Bears.
The Packers defense was ranked dead last in the league in yards allowed but Johnson’s pass rush was one of the few highlights on that side of the ball during that 8-8 season for the Pack.
4. Aaron Kampman 15.5 2006
Kampman made the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2006 when he had a career-high 15.5 sacks to go along with 89 tackles and 30 quarterback hits both of which were also career bests.
The former Iowa star had a pair of three-sack games that season one of which came in the Packers 9-7 win over the Vikings. Kampman’s third sack that day came when the Vikings had the ball in the final 1:28 trying to put together a game-winning drive. For his efforts, he was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Week for the second time that season.
Kampman had one more Pro Bowl season with Green Bay in 2007 and spent eight seasons with the Packers in total before finishing his career in Jacksonville.
3. Reggie White 16 1998
“The Minister of Defense” made the Pro Bowl in each of the six seasons he spent in Green Bay and his signing as the first big free agent of the modern era was a game changer for the franchise.
Statistically, White’s best season was 1998, his final year in Green Bay. He had five multi-sack games that season including a pair of three sack efforts. The second of the two came against the 49ers at Lambeau Field when White caught the mobile Steve Young three times. The Pack had nine sacks in the game which they won 36-22.
White retired after this season but returned to the NFL with the Carolina Panthers for one more season in 2000.
Unfortunately, White passed away suddenly in 2004 at the age of 43. He was one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the history of football and a pivotal player in the history of the Green Bay Packers.
2. Tim Harris 19.5 1989
Tim Harris was a tall, lanky pass rusher who played on some very mediocre Packers teams in the late 80s and early 90s. He spent five seasons with the Packers but had only one winning campaign and that was 1989 when the team went 10-6 after winning a lot of close games, often in the final minute.
Harris earned All Pro honors that season when he sacked opposing quarterbacks 19.5 times in 16 games.
His best game came in Week 4 when he sacked Atlanta’s Hugh Millen four times as part of the Packers 23-21 win over the Falcons. Green Bay trailed 21-6 in this game entering the fourth quarter but scored 17 points in the final quarter to pull out an improbable win.
He also had a key sack in the Packers 21-17 win over the eventual Super Bowl champion 49ers in San Francisco. It was the last game Joe Montana’s club would lose all season.
Harris stood 6’6” and his height, quickness and long arms helped him rush the passer consistently. After leaving the Packers, he played four seasons with the 49ers and one with the Eagles before retiring after the 1995 season.
1. Ezra Johnson 20.5 1978
Ezra Johnson’s had the best season sacking the quarterback in 1978. He downed opposing quarterbacks 20 ½ times.
He opened the season with a five-sack effort in the Packers 13-7 win over the Lions at the Silverdome and never looked back.
In Week 7 against the Seahawks, Johnson sacked Seattle’s Jim Zorn twice and forced two fumbles as Green Bay crushed Seattle 45-28 in Milwaukee.
Johnson earned Pro Bowl honors for the only time in his career after the 1978 season when he was the best pass rusher on a Packers defense that sacked opposing quarterbacks 48 times, good for second in the NFC.
Johnson teamed with fellow 1977 first-round pick Mike Butler to give the Pack two strong pass rushers at defensive end. The Pack finished 8-7-1 that season, one of only two winning seasons Johnson enjoyed during his 11 seasons in Green Bay.
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Comments (80)
Leatherhead
May 29, 2021 at 12:13 pm
Why isn’t KGB on this list?
13TimeChamps
May 29, 2021 at 12:24 pm
Ummmm.....maybe because the title of the article is top FIVE sack seasons in Packers history, of which he doesn't belong. Just a guess though.
TarynsEyes
May 29, 2021 at 12:55 pm
Perhaps because in today's thinking 5 is whatever amount one feels it to be and can change whenever the urge strikes.
10ve 💚
May 29, 2021 at 01:15 pm
Maybe when you start contributing to sports columns you can come up with your own number. I would definitely read it, at least first time. And, if good, I would definitely come back for more.
For now, if Gil says 5, then 5 it is.
TarynsEyes
May 29, 2021 at 06:36 pm
Where did you get that I was doubting the article being Top 5? I was busting Leatherheads chops..
13TimeChamps
May 29, 2021 at 01:15 pm
Got it. Because that totally makes sense.
TarynsEyes
May 29, 2021 at 06:28 pm
Apparently, you are unaware of the new social standards that 2+2 equals what one feels is equals. This was implied by my comment toward Leatherhead and his feeling KGB should be included as 5 for him felt like 6.
Leatherhead
May 29, 2021 at 09:21 pm
I got it. I thought it was funny. Why can’t five mean six , or seven, or whatever I choose it to be?
13TimeChamps
May 29, 2021 at 09:58 pm
You could even convince yourself that 74 is greater than 81. In fact I bet you have.
Funny.
Since'61
May 30, 2021 at 09:43 am
We could convince ourselves that 26 is greater than 31. Therefore we defeated Tampa and went on to win the Super Bowl. Now why didn't the Lombardi arrive in Green Bay yet? Bamboo paper ballots? jewish space lasers?
Our loss to Tampa must be a Hoax!!! If we didn't win the Bucs must have cheated because that is the only way that they could win! Thanks, Since '61
greengold
May 30, 2021 at 09:52 am
Ha!
“What...in the Wide World of Sports is goin’ on here?”
Since'61
May 30, 2021 at 10:07 am
"The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat." !!! I remember it well. Thanks, Since '61
Leatherhead
May 30, 2021 at 01:26 pm
We could convince ourselves of anything, We do, all the time. Every man defines his own reality. For some, a superduper WR is most always the answer. They’re convinced.
Going back to Willie Davis, I think KGB was the best pass rusher we’ve had. Yes, we got some good seasons out Reggie and Matthews and Kampmann, but I’d say KGB did more over a period than any of those. He retired as our all time sack leader.
I remember Ezra clearly. A good player on kind a shaky defense. He played a lot of games for us.A different era, but KGB was better, IMO.
So that’s why I was surprised at him not being in the top five. I’m sorry for most of the angst I caused.
greengold
May 30, 2021 at 02:35 pm
Funny. My brain is so fried after this last month, I didn’t notice any angst...
13TimeChamps
May 29, 2021 at 10:09 pm
Taryn got your tongue? Like usual?
10ve 💚
May 29, 2021 at 01:17 pm
Taryn, come to think about it, you would probably make a good writer. Quite negative. Well, maybe more than "quite", but then, still readable.
By the way, this is a compliment :)
TarynsEyes
May 29, 2021 at 06:48 pm
The problem with most here is that they don't want to accept that the negative must be known in order to have a better positive. Half-full/empty glass analogy isn't how I look for or determine positivity, I cast aside everything that reeks of negativity in my life, and most here welcome it into the same half-full glass which only dilutes the positive, and why so many think I'm negative. I'm not. I'm just trying to keep you all from diluting the positive which is something the FO has been failing to not do.
13TimeChamps
May 29, 2021 at 10:12 pm
That's some deep shit. You're awesome!
greengold
May 30, 2021 at 07:17 am
Can’t have one without the. Can’t know one without the other. Life itself is a range of plus/minus, and where the two meet is the charge.
I appreciate you. For sure, TarynsEyes.
This whole fiasco we’ve spent a month together trying to decipher is LOADED WITH CRAZY components.
1. This is football - you kind of want to grunt after you say it...
2. This is love - pretty much a polar opposite...
Add in the fandom at a fevered pitch, and all the stuff happening in between... ELECTRIC.
Coldworld
May 29, 2021 at 01:22 pm
One can’t stop at 5 without validating 6 and beyond any more.
Coldworld
May 29, 2021 at 02:02 pm
He got 13.5 sacks in two seasons. This list is the top sack seasons by Packers players, so he just missed despite his career totals.
LambeauPlain
May 30, 2021 at 11:58 am
And due this premise, Ezra earned TWO top 5 seasonal sack rankings. It really was not difficult for me understand what Gil was writing about.
Not really sure why Gil deserved negativity for writing a piece based on facts.
PeteK
May 29, 2021 at 07:07 pm
KGB and Kampman were great finds in the 5th round.
Stroh
May 29, 2021 at 11:24 pm
What's little known about Kampman is that he entered the league as a 290 LB run stuffer at DE. He totally transformed himself into a 265 LB pass rusher. He never became explosive off the ball, like you would think of in most pass rushers but he won with length, determination and outstanding technique
HawkPacker
May 30, 2021 at 07:58 am
What I do remember about Kampman is when GB changed to 3 down lineman, he could not handle being a standup edge rusher and his career in GB was essentially over. Too bad as he did one helluva job for us at DE.
Stroh
May 30, 2021 at 03:58 pm
A large part of the reason Kampman wasn't good in a 34 is that he lacked explosiveness and athleticism. He was a DL only.
HawkPacker
May 29, 2021 at 01:02 pm
I do remember Ezra Johnson but did not realize he was that good of a pass rusher.
HarryHodag
May 29, 2021 at 05:42 pm
Sadly, he was one of the few really good players on some mediocre teams.
His incident eating a hot dog from a vendor during a game is what he was also remembered by.
LeotisHarris
May 29, 2021 at 07:08 pm
EzrasHotDog used to post on CHTV. One of the top five all-time screen names, I'd say.
BradHTX
May 29, 2021 at 10:05 pm
But not better than StaffordsNeckFat, MikePettinesScowl or NajehsHamper. Come to think of it, considering the format is the same, these all might be the same person...
LeotisHarris
May 30, 2021 at 08:56 pm
Brad, my neighbor always referred to Najeh as "Dumper." NajehsHamper is pure gold!
greengold
May 30, 2021 at 12:51 am
No shit? THAT is funny.
HawkPacker
May 30, 2021 at 08:01 am
I had forgotten about that LH. Too funny.
Makes me remember Hollywood Henderson showing is teeth along the sidelines in a game on TV at one point. Were they gold or did they have a star on them? I don't remember exactly what they looked like but the coach was pretty p'd off at him.
splitpea1
May 29, 2021 at 01:03 pm
I would personally like to see the term "sack" redefined. Maybe a sack should result in at least a 5 yard loss and anything less should be categorized as a tackle for loss--unless it results in a safety. And the official "sack" victim shouldn't be limited to the QBs; if a receiver is tackled deep in the backfield because of a botched screen or end around, that should also be considered a sack....This will create a lot of work for all the statisticians out, but it's worth it to create a more meaningful measure for certain defensive positions.
I always liked Tim Harris. The six-shooter routine became kind of tedious, but hey, he was having fun out there; he meant no malice even though the NFL eventually prohibited it.
HarryHodag
May 29, 2021 at 05:43 pm
Tim Harris was the first player to call into question the ability of Tony Mandarich. Harris made him look like a fool in practice then wondered what the personnel department was doing drafting Mandarich..
splitpea1
May 29, 2021 at 07:21 pm
Interesting. That was my first year following the Packers, so I was unaware of practice activities with the limited media back then and not living anywhere close to Wisconsin. From what I've read, there were a couple of semi-doubters and concerns about the substances, but most scouts thought Mandarich was going to be great, including Ron Wolf.
PeteK
May 29, 2021 at 07:38 pm
I believe Braatz drafted him. Packer Plus would get delivered and all the news was a week late , but I didn't care. I finally found a Packer shirt in the bargain bin of my sporting goods store , a XL that I wore until it looked/smelled like Swiss cheese.
splitpea1
May 29, 2021 at 08:45 pm
I referenced Wolf even though he was a Raiders scout at the time. It just shows that one of the very best can fall victim to the consensus. He compared him favorably to Mike Munchak according to an old article. Another scout : Anthony Munoz. The whole fiasco was cleaned up after three years, so I guess that wasn't too bad; that's why I always love bringing outside help in when things aren't going right.
Crankbait
May 30, 2021 at 07:55 am
That was so sad with the Mandarich situation. When his brother died he lost his soul.
His brother was his mentor, his agent and his best friend.
Stroh
May 30, 2021 at 02:52 pm
He did it for sacks! I would say Drivers stupid routine after every 1st down (and some not) was much more tedious.
Since'61
May 29, 2021 at 01:53 pm
Sadly, sacks were not a stat back in the Lombardi era.
Willie Davis had a season where his teammates believe that he would have been credited with about 25 sacks in a 14 game season which would easily lead this list.
The stat may not have been kept but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Willie and Reggie are the only ones from the article in the NFL HOF. The others had a great season Willie and Reggie had great careers. Thanks, Since ‘61
wildbill
May 29, 2021 at 02:01 pm
Henry Jordan is in the NFL HOF, he wasn’t on the list but was in the article
Since'61
May 29, 2021 at 04:20 pm
Jordan was a great DT but I don't think he was as effective as reaching the Qb as Davis was. Although Jordan did sack the Rams Roman Gabriel 4 times during the 1967 playoff game in Milwaukee which the Packers won 28-7. That was the week before the historic Ice Bowl at Lambeau. Thanks, Since '61
HawkPacker
May 30, 2021 at 08:06 am
Wow. Great memories Since '61. I was either too young to remember some of the things you share or just flat do not remember them. Thanks for the memories. Always interesting.
Since'61
May 30, 2021 at 12:05 pm
I remember that Ram game well because 2 weeks earlier the Rams defeated the Packers on a blocked punt late in the game after Travis Williams had given the Packers a late lead on KO returned for a TD.
The Rams were 11-1-2 that season while the Packers were 9-4-1 and finished the season with Bart Starr out with an injury. Everyone was picking the Rams to win the playoff game and move on. The Rams were the alleged team of the future and the Packers were allegedly getting "old."
The Rams took an early 7-0 lead and Travis Williams, playing due to injuries to Elijah Pitts and Jim Grabowski, fumbled twice ending two Packer drives in the 1st quarter. Then the Rams lined up for an FG hoping to take a
10-0 lead. But Dave Robinson broke through and blocked the FG. The Packers took over and never looked back scoring 28 unanswered points for a 28-7 victory.
The Packers defense just totally dominated a very good Rams offense for the remainder of the game. The next week they would win the Ice Bowl with the Packers defense again allowing only 7 points. And Finally SBII 33-14 over the Raiders. That's 28 points allowed by the defense in 3 playoff games for an average of 9.3 points allowed per game in the playoffs!!! Herb Adderley provided the final glory of the Lombardi era with a pick 6 in the 4th quarter of the SB against Oakland.
Many blame Rodgers for our layoff losses but imagine what he could have done with a defense that allowed less than 10 points per game during the playoffs. Even if the offense doesn't have their best day the opponent can't win if they can't score. Thanks, Since '61
HawkPacker
May 30, 2021 at 10:56 am
Yes without a doubt you can't just blame Rodgers it's just that he was the quarterback when they lost those playoff games and it is such an important position.
I remember how good Travis Williams was on kickoffs. He was interviewed after one of his great games and the interviewer asked him what is his key to running back so many kickoffs for touchdowns and his response was 'I just follow the wedge, just follow the wedge'. Really not that funny I guess but I still remember that interview.
Thanks again '61 for the memories!
Since'61
May 30, 2021 at 12:07 pm
Always happy to share HawkPacker. Thanks, Since '61
Leatherhead
May 30, 2021 at 03:11 pm
So you should spend your resources on defenders and not HOF QBs, or superduper WRs? That seems to be what you’re saying. If so, I’m totally on board.
greengold
May 30, 2021 at 12:40 am
I love that line, Since’61.
“The stat may not have been kept but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”
Deacon Jones loves that line too.
Since'61
May 30, 2021 at 09:53 am
Deacon should love that line as he sacks were not kept as stats either. Another is Bubba Smith. Many, many great defenders and pass rushers have lost out because the stats were not kept back in the day.
Thanks, Since '61
TarynsEyes
May 30, 2021 at 12:25 pm
There's no reason those football games can't be reviewed and credit the sacks appropriately to the player. They won't because it would severely damage the acclaimed player of the stat era.
greengold
May 30, 2021 at 09:18 am
I’d LOVE to know Dave Robinson’s numbers too. Just remarkable talents throughout NFL history with no sacks statistically recorded. Unbelievable, really.
Since'61
May 30, 2021 at 10:05 am
Dave Robinson was brilliant at keeping the edge and great against the run. Lombardi's Packers did not blitz often but when they did they were effective. They blitzed as part of situational football and picked their times based on their film study, the opposing QB tendencies, and down and distance. QBs were not as mobile in that era so rushing with 4 plus the occasional LB blitz was usually effective enough for most teams.
Robinson probably had good numbers for his day and with Willie Davis would probably have received plenty of 1/2 sacks. Robinson had a knack for coming up with big plays at key points in a game whether it was a sack or key pass break up or pick. He played with great physicality combined with excellent understanding of the game and the situation. He was the prototype for the great OLBs of the 70s/80s ultimately culminating with LT of the NY Giants. Thanks, Since '61
wildbill
May 29, 2021 at 01:59 pm
So happy to see Henry Jordan mentioned as he was a beast and a pleasure to watch. He is very underrated and his pressure up the middle was a key to our defense
Since'61
May 29, 2021 at 04:21 pm
Agree. Jordan was tough as nails. Thanks, Since '61
PeteK
May 29, 2021 at 07:20 pm
Jurkovic was a poorer version of Jordan. Amazing that Jordan was only 248 lbs playing DT. What a great personality, " Lombardi treats us all the same, like dogs".
Since'61
May 30, 2021 at 12:12 pm
PeterK the OLs were also smaller back in that era. IIRC Forrest Gregg was the heaviest player on Lombardi's OL and I think he was 265 lbs. Players are bigger and faster now but if it were possible to equalize the size and speed I would still take the Lombardi Packers over any team currently playing. I doubt that we will ever 12 HOFers playing together for the same team again n any future era. Thanks, Since '61
greengold
May 30, 2021 at 12:18 pm
Remarkable talent on those teams. Gotta hand it to the guy who put it all together in Lombardi.
wildbill
June 03, 2021 at 01:46 pm
Nuff Said!!
HarryHodag
May 29, 2021 at 05:40 pm
Amen to that.
Qoojo
May 29, 2021 at 02:45 pm
The thing I remember most about Ezra Johnson is his rookie year. I was like this is the year!! Then the Dallas game in Milwaukee happened. Dallas just let him rush upfield all game and ran through the hole behind him for what seemed like the entire game.
Crankbait
May 30, 2021 at 08:03 am
Last preseason game of rookie year, Ezra ate a hotdog at Lambeau Field on the sideline during a game against Denver.
Bart Starr fired the defensive line coach because he did not like the way the line coach handled it. I think he only fined Ezra $1000.
PeteK
May 29, 2021 at 05:00 pm
Ezra was one of the few shining lights during the dark days( even if his 20.5 sacks are unofficial. He was also a character and got fined for eating a hot dog on the sidelines during a preseason blow out. Matthews will always be one of my favorite Packer pass rushers( lifetime sack leader).
Ferrari-Driver
May 29, 2021 at 04:47 pm
I was fortunate to see all those you mentioned in your list, but I never saw anyone who was able toss offensive linemen like Reggie White. Yet he was so soft spoken and kind off the field. I remember one time in the Lambeau parking lot after a practice where there were about 20 young kids who surrounded Reggie by his Jeep wanting autographs and Reggie was pleading that he had to get home and yet I saw him stand there and signed autographs for every one of those kids. I'm sure glad we retired his number and we get to see it featured within Lambeau Field every game day.
PeteK
May 29, 2021 at 07:01 pm
White and Favre along with Wolf and Holmgren led us out of many years of losing. It was at the right time because not being a Wisconsin resident I could now view Packer games at my local bar and then on Direct TV. We haven't looked back while compiling an incredible amount of winning seasons..
Stroh
May 30, 2021 at 04:09 pm
Harlan made Wolf and Holmgren possible and without them you don't have Reggie or Favre!
greengold
May 30, 2021 at 05:00 pm
It’s true. Bob Harlan brought about the positive changes we know as HOF legends today, across the NFL. Two years ago, Holmgren’s TE coach won the Super Bowl. Remarkable what came from Bob Harlan’s decision making for the Packers.
Remember, the shit show, that was Judge Robert Parins. Never forget. We are now fortunate.
Bob Harlan was fucking Gandalf the White in comparison.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
May 29, 2021 at 07:03 pm
There were dark times back in the day but good fun players. How about 'Mad Dog Douglas', or a Rich Wingo, Paul Coffman, Kenny Ellis, John Noble, Mark Lee, Mark Murphy, or a John Anderson. Lots of fun players I can recall even during those dark times.
PeteK
May 29, 2021 at 07:24 pm
Majikowski gave us a glimmer of hope and then got pounded into oblivion.
The_Justicar
May 29, 2021 at 08:21 pm
True story - 1992 packers at tampa early September game. Packers got drubbed. I was at that game and it was damn hot. Majik was pulled late for Favre who completed his first pass to himself. My dad was out until 2-3 am at a local famous strip club Mons Venus. He said he left at 3am and Malik and half the O line was still there when he left. The night before a 1pm kick off in brutal heat. Not surprised Majik and packers only mustered 3 points. He was pulled again the next week vs Cincy and Favre never looked back.
So...you may have the Tampa heat and partying til 4-5am before a game for Favre completing his first pass.
I wasn’t sure if I was more surprised that the packers no showed that day (31-3) or that my dad was out later than me (I was 22 and he was 50) at a strip club. He sat behind me at the game but had some good stories for me and my friends about thr club. Lol
greengold
May 30, 2021 at 08:59 am
Fantastic story, The_Justicar.
Not surprising in the least. Remarkable a strip club may have given birth to a legend.
Stroh
May 30, 2021 at 04:13 pm
Majik wasn't pulled for Favre. He was injured. Either way it was only a matter of time before Favre was going to start.
Crankbait
May 30, 2021 at 08:06 am
That's because he pissed off his lineman by holding out. I remember this well it was so painful to watch!
HawkPacker
May 30, 2021 at 08:10 am
Yes he was Majik. And then Favre came along.......
Tundraboy
May 29, 2021 at 08:03 pm
Chuck Cecil!
greengold
May 30, 2021 at 07:50 am
Scott Hunter.
Rich McGeorge.
Eric Torkelson.
John Brockington.
Mike McCoy.
Ken Ellis.
Ken Bowman.
Steve Luke.
Willie Buchanon
Johnny Gray.
Mark Lee.
All of them dark stars...
Gotta say, I did love watching Ezra Johnson play. I remember the hotdog, thinking “Noooooo!” You just knew that was not going to be well received. Those days were just so dark, but we still had fun watching them, great players all.
Ezra with those massive meat hooks, usually all wrapped in tape. Reminds me of Mike Smith’s recent comments about DE/OLB Delontae Scott after Rookie Minicamp: “He can scratch his ankles standing up,”
HawkPacker
May 30, 2021 at 08:15 am
I like your list greengold except for Scott Hunter. I remember the playoffs in the 70's against Washington with George Allen was coach and they played a 5 man line against us just begging us to pass. We just continued to try to run Brockington as Hunter could not pass. Bad memory.
greengold
May 30, 2021 at 09:06 am
Only 3 QBs since Bart Starr have won Division Titles... who are they?
Quite possibly the best Packers trivia question ever.
HawkPacker
May 30, 2021 at 10:59 am
I do know three of them. Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and of course your guy Scott Hunter at 10-4. Remember that it is the whole team that win Division titles.
Did Lynn Dickey ever win a division title?
Crankbait
May 30, 2021 at 07:48 am
Seems like such a long long time ago in a place far far away.