Like a Fine Wine

By Nick Webster

Calais Campbell, the 39-year-old defensive lineman for the Arizona Cardinals, has already recorded three sacks through the first four games of the 2025 NFL season. He started in every one of those games, and with 13 games still left on the schedule, Campbell is on pace to finish the season with 12.5 sacks if he maintains his current level of production.  This would surpass all previous records for players in his age bracket. Of course, it’s a long season and injury, opponent matchups and the rise of youngsters on the roster could dramatically impact outcomes.

Whether considering official sacks, tabulated since 1982, or unofficial sacks compiled back to 1960, no player aged 39 or older has ever reached 10 or more sacks in a single NFL season. The leaders in this age group are Doug Atkins of the Saints with nine sacks in a 14-game season at age 39 in 1969 and Bruce Smith of the Redskins who notched nine sacks in 16 games at age 39 in 2002.

Other notable performances feature Andy Robustelli, with 6.5 sacks for the Giants in a 14-game season at age 39 in 1964 and Clay Matthews with 6.5 sacks at age 40 in 1996 for the Atlanta Falcons, appearing in 15 games but starting just one. Jim Marshall recorded four sacks in 14 games at age 39 in 1976 and another four in 16 games at age 41 in 1978 for the Minnesota Vikings

An interesting case is Coy Bacon who tallied three sacks in just the first three games of 1981 at age 39 for the Redskins.  After repeated tardiness and missed meetings and practices, young Joe Gibbs sent Bacon home after a Thursday meeting before week four, the next day Bacon was released and never played another down in the NFL, prompting the AP to publish the following:

James Harrison also notched three sacks at age 39 in 2017 across six games for New England and Pittsburgh, without any starts. Harrison notched one in just 40 snaps playing sporadically for the Steelers. After dressing but not playing in the Steelers Week 15 tilt against the Patriots, Harrison was cut, only to sign with the Pats and log 2 sacks in 27 snaps in his final NFL game. Talk about right-player, wrong-uniform!

Throughout his career, Campbell has earned great recognition as a six-time Pro Bowler, and he remains a key starter and influential leader within the Cardinals' defensive unit. If he continues at his current pace, he could become the geriatric sack leader of all time.  Perhaps paving his way to Canton.