Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell is currently on pace to break the NFL record for most sacks taken in a season by one quarterback. While the odds are against Howell staying healthy long enough to reach the record, he is on pace to make NFL history before January.
When he isn’t being sacked or throwing the football away to avoid being taken down, Howell has performed moderately well this season. In his first year as a starting NFL quarterback, Howell has more touchdowns (seven) than interceptions and a respectable 85.2 QB rating, while completing 65.2 percent of his passes and averaging 249.4 passing yards per game entering NFL games today.
- Sam Howell stats 2023: 85.2 QB rating, 65.2% completion rate, 1,749 passing yards, 9 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 6.8 yards per attempt, 3-4 record
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With the Commanders sticking by Howell as their starter over Jacoby Brissett, the second-year quarterback will have a strong shot at the NFL single-season record if he stays healthy. Here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to know with our Sam Howell sacks tracker.
Sam Howell sacks tracker: How many times has Sam Howell been sacked?
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has been sacked 41 times through his first eight games in 2023. For context, the second-most sacked quarterback in the NFL this season is Daniel Jones with 28 sacks through five games. Entering Week 8, only five quarterbacks have been sacked 20-plus times.
Highest NFL sack rate leaders (career)
- Greg Landry – 12.08%
- David Carr – 10.54%
- Neil Lomax – 10.3%
- Tony Eason – 10.17%
- Randall Cunningham – 10.14%
- Don Meredith – 10.02%
- Sam Howell (2023) – 13.5%
Most sacked QB by year
- 2022: Russell Wilson – 55 in 15 G
- 2021: Joe Burrow – 51 in 16 G
- 2020: Carson Wentz – 50 in 12 G
- 2019: Matt Ryan – 48 in 15 G
- 2018: Deshaun Watson – 62 in 16 G
- 2017: Jacoby Brissett – 52 in 16 G
- 2016: Tyrod Taylor – 42 in 15 G
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Most sacks taken in a season
- David Carr – 76 (2002)
- Randall Cunningham – 72 (1986)
- David Carr – 68 (2005)
- Jon Kitna – 63 (2006)
- Steve Buerlein – 62 (2000)
- Ken O’Brien – (1985)
- Deshaun Watson – (2018)
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What is the NFL record for most sacks taken in a season?
David Carr holds the NFL record for the most sacks taken in a season with 76. Playing for the expansion franchise Houston Texans in 2002, Carr was sacked 76 times for 411 yards lost in 16 regular-season games.
During that 2002 season, Carr was sacked twice in every game he played that year. Carr was sacked a season-high nine times against the San Diego Chargers on September 19, 2002.
How many times was David Carr sacked in his career?
David Carr was sacked 267 times across 94 games in his NFL career from 2002-’12. He has the second-highest sack rate in NFL history.
David Carr sacks by week (2002)
- Week 1: 6 by DAL
- Week 2: 17 (8 by SD)
- Week 3: 21 (4 by IND)
- Week 4: 28 (7 by PHI)
- Week 5: 33 (5 by BUF)
- Week 6: 41 (8 vs CLE)
- Week 7: 45 (4 by JAX)
- Week 8: 45 (2 by CIN)
- Week 9: 49 (4 by TEN)
- Week 10: 53 (4 by JAX)
- Week 11: 58 (5 by NYG)
- Week 12: 64 (7 by IND)
- Week 13: 68 (4 by PIT)
- Week 14: 70 (2 by BAL)
- Week 15: 73 (3 by WAS)
- Week 16: 76 (3 by TEN)
Sam Howell sacks by week (2023)
- Week 1: 6 by ARZ
- Week 2: 10 (4 by DEN)
- Week 3: 19 (9 vs BUF)
- Week 4: 24 (5 by PHI)
- Week 5: 29 (5 by CHI)
- Week 6: 34 (5 by ATL)
- Week 7: 40 (6 by NYG)
- Week 8: 41 (1 by PHI)
- Week 9: vs NE
- Week 10: vs SEA
- Week 11: vs NYG
- Week 12: vs DAL
- Week 13: vs MIA
- Week 15: vs LAR
- Week 16: vs NYJ
- Week 17: vs 49ers
- Week 18: vs DAL
How many sacks is Sam Howell on pace for?
Sam Howell is on pace for 87 sacks across the 2023 NFL season. For comparison, David Carr holds the NFL record with 76 sacks taken in 16 games in 2002 with the Houston Texans. Howell will break the single-season NFL record in December at his current pace.
Sam Howell FAQ
How much is Sam Howell getting paid?
Sam Howell is getting paid a $780,000 salary in 2023. Howell received a $90,000 signing bonus this season and made $705,000 as a rookie in 2022.
- Sam Howell contract: $960,400 cap hit in 2023, $1,075,400 cap hit in 2024, $1,190,400 cap hit in 2025, 2026 NFL free agent
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How many starts does Sam Howell have?
Sam Howell has eight career starts in the NFL. The Washington Commanders quarterback made one start in 2022 and seven starts in 2023 so far. Howell’s first NFL start came on January 8, 2023 against the Dallas Cowboys.
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How many rushing yards did Sam Howell have in college?
Sam Howell had 1,008 rushing yards in college with the North Carolina Tar Heels. As a senior, Howell rushed for a career-high 828 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns in 2021.
