Khalil Mack has done almost everything there is to do in an NFL career. He’s won Defensive Player of the Year, been to Pro Bowls, and was named an All-Pro. Only two things remain for him to accomplish before he could say he had a complete career. One, of course, is winning the Super Bowl. This is something he’s made clear is his goal for 2019 more than ever before. The other equally challenging prize is claiming a notable NFL record.
There are a few that might be possible for him. The NFL record for forced fumbles in a career stands at 54 held by former Colts great Robert Mathis. Mack has 15 thus far in his career. There is a long way to go. He would need to average five a year for the next nine seasons to break it. Not something that could be called easy. However, there is another notable record that is within his reach. One that remains among the most coveted for NFL pass rushers.
The single-season sack record.
This prize still belongs to New York Giants Hall of Famer Michael Strahan. He delivered 22.5 during his 2001 season when he claimed Defensive Player of the Year honors. Since then several players have come close to breaking it. Demarcus Ware had 20 in 2008. Jared Allen had 22 in 2011. J.J. Watt had 20.5 in 2012, Justin Houston had 22 in 2014 and Aaron Donald had 20.5 in 2018. Thus far Strahan’s mark has remained safe.
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Peter Schrager of NFL Network though believes it will finally fall in 2019, and Mack will be the one to do it.
Khalil Mack knows his quest for greatness must pick up
Thus far in his career, Mack hasn’t had that true sack explosion. His best season came in 2015 when he had 15. While that’s outstanding and helped him to win Defensive Player of the Year, he was still 2.5 sacks behind Watt. It feels like this could finally be the year he explodes. He has a wealth of talent around him including a rough and tough defensive line led by Akiem Hicks that will pull blockers away from him.
Then there is the presence of Chuck Pagano and his right-hand man Ted Monachino. These two have a strong reputation when it comes to elevating pass rushers. Several notable players have had their career-best seasons under their watch. Mathis grabbed 19.5 in 2013. Terrell Suggs had 14 in 2011. Elvis Dumervil had 17 in 2014. Even longtime rotational man Erik Walden got 11 in 2016. He’d never had more than six prior to that.
Try to imagine what they might be able to do with Mack, who could easily be argued is the most talented pass rusher either has ever worked with. Schrager’s prediction holds plenty of merit with these factors in play.
