Ryan Kerrigan Seals His Place in Washington History With Incredible Record
If Ryan Kerrigan is entering his final year in Washington, he’s doing so in an ideal way.
Kerrigan, a former first-round pick who has been in Washington since 2011, set the franchise’s all-time sack record. A four-time Pro Bowler, Kerrigan accomplished the feat in Washington’s Week 1 comeback victory over Carson Wentz and the Eagles.
Kerrigan’s playing days with the new-look Washington Football Team aren’t over just yet, but he has already sealed his place in franchise history.
Ryan Kerrigan has had an impressive career in Washington
An All-American pass-rusher at Purdue and the 16th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, Ryan Kerrigan quietly had an excellent decade in Washington.
Kerrigan totaled 90 sacks, 26 forced fumbles, and 116 tackles for loss in 140 games. Only Von Miller (106), Chandler Jones and J.J. Watt (96), and Cameron Wake (95) had more sacks in the decade.
Kerrigan added six tackles in two playoff games, although he didn’t record a sack or tackle for loss in either outing.
Kerrigan became Washington’s all-time sack leader
Ryan Kerrigan opened the 2020 NFL season in style.
Kerrigan had two sacks and a 6-yard fumble recovery in Washington’s Week 1 victory over the rival Eagles. Kerrigan’s second sack, the 92nd of his career, gave him the franchise’s all-time sacks record.
Kerrigan passed longtime defensive end Dexter Manley, who finished his Washington career in 1989 with 91 sacks in 125 games.
In his postgame media session, Kerrigan said the achievement “meant a lot.”
“This organization has been around for a really long time, seen a lot of really productive players come through,” Kerrigan said. “To be at the top of that list is pretty special for me.”
The NFL only began counting sacks as an official statistic in 1982. Only three players in Washington history — Kerrigan, Manley, and defensive end Charles Mann (82 sacks from 1983-93) — were credited with over 50 sacks while with the team.
Ryan Kerrigan will leave behind a terrific legacy
Ryan Kerrigan’s record-breaking day was the cherry on top of an impressive Washington win.
While Kerrigan remained humble, Washington coach Ron Rivera took a much different approach when discussing Kerrigan’s achievement.
“He understands that we’ve got a couple of young guys we’ve got to get on the field, but he also knows he has a tremendous role and an impact role for us. Coming off the bench and being fresh and getting two sacks…and causing a couple of other plays out there to happen just speaks to who he is as a young man and what he means to our franchise going forward.”
Kerrigan, who Rivera listed as the backup behind rookie Chase Young, may not be long for Washington after this year. He is a free agent after this season and turned 32 in August.
According to Pro-Football-Reference, Kerrigan’s 74 approximate value is tied for 22nd all-time in Washington history. Kerrigan can pass cornerback Mike Bass and defensive tackle Diron Talbert, a duo tied for 20th with 76 AV, later this season.
Kerrigan could opt for the Tom Brady route of taking pay cuts to stick around each year. But if this is his final go in Washington, Kerrigan is ending things on the right note.
All stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.
