NFL Single-Season Tackles Record Progression
Every season that raised the bar, and the leader in every season between.
The NFL single-season tackles record is 180, set by Jordyn Brooks in 2025. The mark has been raised 7 times since 1999.
Record Holders
8 marks since 1999| Year | Player | TKL | Stood for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
 Jordyn Brooks
|
180 | still standing |
| 2021 |
 Foye Oluokun
|
178 | 4 years |
| 2013 |
 Vontaze Burfict
|
166 | 8 years |
| 2007 |
 Patrick Willis
|
159 | 6 years |
| 2003 |
 Zach Thomas
|
142 | 4 years |
| 2002 |
Zach Thomas
|
139 | 1 year |
| 2001 |
Zach Thomas
|
135 | 1 year |
| 1999 |
 Ray Lewis
|
130 | 2 years |
The earliest marks here are records only in the sense that nobody had done better yet. Season length, schedule and the rules themselves have all changed, so a figure from the 1870s is not comparable with a modern one and is not offered as though it were.
Every Season
27 seasons| Year | Leader | TKL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jordyn Brooks | 180 | new record |
| 2024 | Zaire Franklin | 155 | |
| 2023 | Bobby Wagner | 164 | |
| 2022 | Nick Bolton | 171 | |
| 2021 | Foye Oluokun | 178 | new record |
| 2020 | Jaylon Smith | 152 | |
| 2019 | Blake Martinez | 149 | |
| 2018 | Shaquille Leonard | 145 | |
| 2017 | Joe Schobert | 139 | |
| 2016 | Bobby Wagner | 164 | |
| 2015 | D'Qwell Jackson | 140 | |
| 2014 | Luke Kuechly | 152 | |
| 2013 | Vontaze Burfict | 166 | new record |
| 2012 | Luke Kuechly | 159 | |
| 2011 | D'Qwell Jackson | 149 | |
| 2010 | Jerod Mayo | 132 | |
| 2009 | Patrick Willis | 136 | |
| 2008 | D'Qwell Jackson | 127 | |
| 2007 | Patrick Willis | 159 | new record |
| 2006 | Zach Thomas | 142 | |
| 2005 | Zach Thomas | 142 | |
| 2004 | Zach Thomas | 131 | |
| 2003 | Zach Thomas | 142 | new record |
| 2002 | Zach Thomas | 139 | new record |
| 2001 | Zach Thomas | 135 | new record |
| 2000 | Derrick Brooks | 126 | |
| 1999 | Ray Lewis | 130 | new record |