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This is a list of National Football League (NFL) players who have led the regular season in forced fumbles each year. There are only 8 players who have led the league in forced fumbles in multiple seasons. Rickey Jackson currently holds the record for most seasons leading the league in forced fumbles with 4. There are only 7 other players who have managed to lead the league in forced fumbles multiple times, Robert Mathis with 3, and then 6 players having led the league twice each.

NFL annual forced fumble leaders

Robert Mathis led the league three times throughout his career and is the all-time leader in forced fumbles.[1][2]
Charles "Peanut" Tillman, who led the league in 2012, was known for his ability to force fumbles with a well-timed punch commonly known as the "Peanut Punch".[3][4]
Key
Symbol Meaning
Leader The player who recorded the most forced fumbles in the NFL
FF The total number of forced fumbles the player had
GP The number of games played by a player during the season
† Pro Football Hall of Fame member
^ The player is an active player
* Player set the single-season record for forced fumbles
(#) Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list
NFL annual forced fumbles leaders by season
Season Leader FF GP Team Refs
1981 Rickey Jackson† 2* 16 New Orleans Saints [2][5]
1982 Rickey Jackson† (2) 1 9 New Orleans Saints [2][5]
Ronnie Lott† San Francisco 49ers [2][6]
1983 Clay Matthews 4* 16 Cleveland Browns [2][7]
1984 Richard Dent† 4 16 Chicago Bears [2][8]
Rickey Jackson† (3) New Orleans Saints [2][5]
1985 Richard Dent† (2) 7* 16 Chicago Bears [2][8]
1986 Rickey Jackson† (4) 6 16 New Orleans Saints [2][5]
1987 Chris Doleman† 6 12 Minnesota Vikings [2][9]
1988 Jim Jeffcoat 4 16 Dallas Cowboys [2][10]
Tim McDonald 16 Philadelphia Eagles [2][11]
Henry Thomas 15 Minnesota Vikings [2][12]
1989 Greg Townsend 6 16 Los Angeles Raiders [2][13]
1990 Derrick Thomas† 6 15 Kansas City Chiefs [2][14]
1991 Broderick Thomas 7 16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers [2][15]
1992 Derrick Thomas† (2) 8* 16 Kansas City Chiefs [2][14]
1993 Lonnie Marts 6 16 Kansas City Chiefs [2][16]
1994 Greg Lloyd 5 15 Pittsburgh Steelers [2][17]
Neil Smith 14 Kansas City Chiefs [2][18]
Bruce Smith† 15 Buffalo Bills [2][19]
1995 Greg Lloyd (2) 6 16 Pittsburgh Steelers [2][17]
Ed McDaniel Minnesota Vikings [2][20]
Anthony Pleasant Cleveland Browns [2][21]
Clyde Simmons Arizona Cardinals [2][22]
1996 Tony Brackens 5 16 Jacksonville Jaguars [2][23]
Kevin Carter St. Louis Rams [2][24]
Jason Sehorn New York Giants [2][25]
Bruce Smith† (2) Buffalo Bills [2][19]
1997 Roy Barker 8 13 San Francisco 49ers [2][26]
1998 Michael Sinclair 6 16 Seattle Seahawks [2][27]
1999 Tony Brackens (2) 8 16 Jacksonville Jaguars [2][23]
Jevon Kearse Tennessee Titans [2][28]
2000 Trace Armstrong 7 16 Miami Dolphins [2][29]
2001 John Abraham 6 16 New York Jets [2][30]
Michael Strahan† New York Giants [2][31]
2002 Dwight Freeney† 9* 16 Indianapolis Colts [2][32]
Leonard Little St. Louis Rams [2][33]
2003 LaVar Arrington 6 12 Washington Redskins [2][34]
Leonard Little (2) 16 St. Louis Rams [2][33]
Simeon Rice 16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers [2][35]
2004 Robert Mathis 6 16 Indianapolis Colts [2][36]
Will Smith New Orleans Saints [2][37]
2005 Robert Mathis (2) 8 13 Indianapolis Colts [2][36]
2006 Jason Taylor† 9 16 Miami Dolphins [2][38]
2007 Chris Harrison 8 15 Carolina Panthers [2][39]
2008 James Harrison 7 15 Pittsburgh Steelers [2][40]
2009 Shaun Phillips 7 16 San Diego Chargers [2][41]
2010 Osi Umenyiora 10* 16 New York Giants [2][42]
2011 Terrell Suggs 7 16 Baltimore Ravens [2][43]
2012 Charles Tillman 10 16 Chicago Bears [2][44]
2013 Robert Mathis (3) 10 16 Indianapolis Colts [2][36]
2014 Ryan Kerrigan 5 16 Washington Redskins [2][45]
Robert Quinn St. Louis Rams [2][46]
Daryl Smith Baltimore Ravens [2][47]
2015 Jamie Collins 5 12 New England Patriots [2][48]
2016 Vic Beasley 6 16 Atlanta Falcons [2][49]
Bruce Irvin^ Oakland Raiders [2][50]
2017 Yannick Ngakoue^ 6 16 Jacksonville Jaguars [2][51]
2018 Dee Ford^ 7 16 Kansas City Chiefs [2][52]
J. J. Watt Houston Texans [2][53]
2019 Chandler Jones 8 16 Arizona Cardinals [2][54]
T. J. Watt^ Pittsburgh Steelers [2][55]
2020 Marlon Humphrey^ 8 15 Baltimore Ravens [2][56]
2021 Shaquille Leonard^ 8 17 Indianapolis Colts [2][57]
2022 Alex Highsmith^ 5 17 Pittsburgh Steelers [2][58]
Haason Reddick^ Philadelphia Eagles [2][59]
2023 Bradley Chubb^ 6 16 Miami Dolphins [2][60]
Antoine Winfield Jr^ 17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers [2][61]

Most seasons leading the league

Count Player Seasons Team Refs
4 Rickey Jackson 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986 New Orleans Saints [2][5]
3 Robert Mathis 2004, 2005, 2013 Indianapolis Colts [2][36]
2 Tony Brackens 1996, 1999 Jacksonville Jaguars [2][23]
Richard Dent 1985, 1986 Chicago Bears [2][8]
Leonard Little 2002, 2003 St. Louis Rams [2][33]
Greg Lloyd 1994, 1995 Pittsburgh Steelers [2][17]
Bruce Smith 1994, 1996 Buffalo Bills [2][5]
Derrick Thomas 1990, 1992 Kansas City Chiefs [2][14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "NFL Fumbles Forced Career Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by "NFL Fumbles Forced Year-by-Year Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  3. ^ Greenberg, Jon (September 16, 2014). "Charles Tillman's Peanut Punch historic for Chicago Bears". ESPN. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  4. ^ Bowen, Matt (July 20, 2016). "The art of Charles Tillman's 'Peanut Punch'". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Rickey Jackson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  6. ^ "Ronnie Lott Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  7. ^ "Clay Matthews Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "Richard Dent Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  9. ^ "Chris Doleman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  10. ^ "Jim Jeffcoat Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  11. ^ "Tim McDonald Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  12. ^ "Henry Thomas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  13. ^ "Greg Townsend Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 16, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c "Derrick Thomas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  15. ^ "Broderick Thomas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  16. ^ "Lonnie Marts Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  17. ^ a b c "Greg Lloyd Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  18. ^ "Neil Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Bruce Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  20. ^ "Ed McDaniel Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  21. ^ "Anthony Pleasant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  22. ^ "Clyde Simmons Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  23. ^ a b c "Tony Brackens Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  24. ^ "Kevin Carter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  25. ^ "Jason Sehorn Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  26. ^ "Roy Barker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  27. ^ "Michael Sinclair Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  28. ^ "Jevon Kearse Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  29. ^ "Trace Armstrong Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  30. ^ "John Abraham Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  31. ^ "Michael Strahan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  32. ^ "Dwight Freeney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  33. ^ a b c "Leonard Little Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  34. ^ "LaVar Arrington Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  35. ^ "Simeon Rice Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  36. ^ a b c d "Robert Mathis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  37. ^ "Will Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  38. ^ "Jason Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  39. ^ "Chris Harris Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
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  41. ^ "Shaun Phillips Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  42. ^ "Osi Umenyiora Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  43. ^ "Terrell Suggs Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  44. ^ "Charles Tillman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  45. ^ "Ryan Kerrigan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  46. ^ "Robert Quinn Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  47. ^ "Daryl Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  48. ^ "Jamie Collins Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  49. ^ "Vic Beasley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  50. ^ "Bruce Irvin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  51. ^ "Yannick Ngakoue Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  52. ^ "Dee Ford Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  53. ^ "J.J. Watt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  54. ^ "Chandler Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  55. ^ "T.J. Watt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  56. ^ "Marlon Humphrey Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  57. ^ "Shaquille Leonard Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  58. ^ "Alex Highsmith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  59. ^ "Haason Reddick Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  60. ^ "Bradley Chubb Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  61. ^ "Antoine Winfield Jr. Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
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