This offseason, T.J. Watt acquired a large contract extension from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The final time they gave him an extension, Watt had his greatest NFL season but. In 2021, he received Defensive Participant of the Yr, tying the single-season sack document with 22.5. Nevertheless, there are some who contest that document. Former NFL move rusher Jared Allen believes he’s the document holder, arguing that the NFL robbed him of a sack on Aaron Rodgers in 2011, which might have given him 23 on the finish of the 12 months.
Apparently, regardless of becoming a member of Watt and the Steelers this offseason, Rodgers agrees with Allen.
“You’re the all-time single-season sack chief,” Rodgers mentioned Thursday in a video posted on the Vikings’ Twitter. “I don’t care what the numbers say as a result of that phantom bullshit sack they took away from you’d provide the document. In my e-book, and doubtless in most Vikings followers’ books, you’re the all-time single-season sack chief.”
Regardless of taking part in on rival groups within the NFC North, Rodgers appears to have an excessive amount of respect for Allen. The play in query got here in Week 10 in 2011, and it’s simple to see why it’s up for debate whether or not or not Allen ought to get credit score for the sack. Rodgers will get the snap and begins to drop again, however then he drops the soccer. He tries to choose it up however by no means fairly will get his footing again earlier than Allen brings him down.
Initially, Allen acquired credit score for the sack, however the NFL modified it to a staff sack late within the week. There’s a motive for that, although.
Sadly for Allen, Rodgers drops the ball of his personal accord. Nobody knocks it out of his arms or hits him to pressure the fumble. Due to this fact, no particular person participant receives credit score for the sack.
Nevertheless, an argument could possibly be made that the strain from Allen led Rodgers to drop the ball. Previously, Allen has additionally tried to argue that Rodgers retained possession of the ball earlier than he was introduced down, however that looks like a weaker argument. The ball continues to be being juggled round when Allen will get maintain of Rodgers.
Additionally, it’s simple to separate hairs with NFL statistics, particularly sacks. Take a look at what Watt did in 2021. There have been quite a few events the place somebody might argue that he received “robbed” of a sack. Whether or not it was the NFL’s ruling or officers lacking blatant holds, Watt dealt along with his fair proportion of unhealthy luck.
He even had virtually the identical scenario occur to him that Allen skilled. Within the remaining week of the season, towards the Baltimore Ravens, quarterback Tyler Huntley fumbled the ball, and Watt introduced him down. Nevertheless, he wasn’t credited with the sack.
Anybody might play the what-if sport with the NFL all day lengthy. Allen’s play is much less clear-cut than he and Rodgers make it out to be. The NFL guidelines define that state of affairs clearly. Additionally, there’s no telling if historical past would’ve repeated itself completely if Allen had been credited that sack. It wasn’t prefer it got here within the remaining week of the season. There have been nonetheless loads of video games left.
There’s no use crying over spilled milk. Watt and Michael Strahan are tied for the NFL single-season sack document with 22.5. Allen’s variety of 22 continues to be one thing to be pleased with. Not many gamers have reached that quantity.
