The Green Bay Packers franchise has had some outstanding pass rushers during their illustrious history. Although sacks were not an official statistic until 1982, we look back at the greatest pass rushers in Packers franchise history.

Keep in mind that only a player’s time with the Packers is considered here. Our rankings are based on a combination of impact and longevity. Again, numbers for players who played before 1982 are unofficial and/or incomplete.

10. Bryce Paup (1990-94)

Paup put together four strong seasons of rushing the passer from his outside linebacker position in the early 90s. The former Northern Iowa star had his most productive season in 1993 when he totaled 11 sacks. He earned Pro Bowl honors after the 1994 season when he added 7.5 more.

Paup had good speed off the edge and was a tenacious rusher. In addition to rushing the passer, his speed allowed him to go a good job of covering receivers when called upon.

9. Tony Bennett (1990-93)

The Packers selected Bennett with the 18^th overall selection in the 1990 NFL Draft. The former Ol’ Miss star established himself as a premier pass rusher in his second season with the team, recording 13 sacks in 1991 and a career-high 13.5 in 1992.

He recovered three fumbles in 1992 including one he returned for a touchdown in the Packers Week 13 38-10 win over the Lions.

Bennett finished his career ranked fourth on the Packers all-time official sack list with 36. He finished his career with the Indianapolis Colts.

8. Aaron Kampman (2002-09)

Defensive end Aaron Kampman started off slowly as a pass rusher but eventually became a two-time Pro Bowler for his ability to sack the quarterback.

The Iowa product’s best season came in 2006 when he had a career-high 15.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and had one fumble recovery. He recorded a pair of three-sack games that season including some that were crucial to the Packers 9-7 win over the Vikings in Week 15.

Kampman was 6’4” and 260 pounds, not heavy for a defensive end, but he used his speed and determination to get to opposing quarterbacks consistently.

He spent eight seasons with the Packers, starting in 104 games and recorded 54 sacks before finishing his career with the Jaguars.

7. Tim Harris (1986-90)

Lanky Tim Harris was a major force on the Packers defense in the late 80s. He recorded 13.5 sacks in 1988 before adding a career-best 19.5 sacks in 1989, the year the Pack surprised everybody by finishing 10-6. His best game came in Week 4 when he recorded four sacks in the Pack’s 23-21 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors for his outstanding performance that season.

Harris was quick off the edge and used his long arms to power past blockers and get to the quarterback. He recorded two safeties in 1988 and scored a touchdown on a blocked punt return in the Pack’s 34-14 win in Minnesota.

6. Ezra Johnson (1977-1987)

Big Ezra Johnson spent 11 seasons on the Packers defensive line and is officially credited with 41.5 sacks although his first five years with the team were before the sack became recognized as an official statistic so they aren’t included in his career totals.

The Packers drafted Johnson in the first round of the 1977 draft out of Morris Brown. He became a full-time starter in his second season with the team and earned Pro Bowl recognition after unofficially recording 20.5 sacks. He started the season strong, sacking Greg Landry of the Lions five times in the Packers 13-7 win in the season opener at the Silverdome.

Johnson’s best official sack total came in 1983 when he recorded 14.5 sacks including three in a 31-28 Week 14 win over the Bears.

Johnson had outstanding quickness and was excellent in pursuit. After leaving Green Bay, he finished his career by playing two seasons each with the Oilers and Colts. Johnson was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1997.

5. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (2000-2008)

KGB spent nine seasons with the Packers and retired as the team’s official all-time leader in sacks with 74.5.

The former San Diego State star had four straight seasons with at least 10 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl after the 2003 campaign.

His best season came in 2001 when he recorded 13.5 sacks despite not starting and often coming into the game in obvious passing situations.

Gbaja-Biamila had a 72-yard pick six off Jim Miller of the Bears in the Packers 34-21 win in Week 5 of the 2002 season.

His quickness and hunger to get to the football helped him force 17 fumbles during his NFL career and recover seven more.

KGB was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2013.

4. Henry Jordan (1959-69)

Although Henry Jordan played before sacks were an official statistic, the quick defensive tackle was one of the Packers best all-time pass rushers.

Jordan joined the Packers in 1959 after spending two seasons with the Cleveland Browns.  He was a five-time All Pro and a four time Pro Bowl selection. He was also a key contributor to the Packers five championship teams under Vince Lombardi.

In the 1967 playoffs against the Rams, Jordan had one of his biggest games. He sacked Rams quarterback Roman Gabriel 3.5 times as the Packers defeated the Rams 28-7. Jordan was also credited with 1.5 sacks in the first Super Bowl against the Chiefs.

Jordan was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1975 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1977 at the age of 42.

3. Clay Matthews (2009-2018)

Clay Matthews had an instant impact in Green Bay after the Packers selected him in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft out of USC, recording 10 sacks as a rookie.

Matthews came from a football family with his grandfather, father and uncle all having played extensively in the NFL.

“The Claymaker” earned six Pro Bowl berths in 10 seasons with the Packers and was named All Pro after the 2010 season. He is the Packers official all-time sacks leader with 83.5 including a career-high 13.5 in 2010.

Matthews showed his unselfishness by moving to inside linebacker in 2014 and 2015 when injuries and a lack of depth at that position created a big need for the team. This cost him chances to rush the passer but helped the team win football games.

Matthews’ most famous moment came in Super Bowl XLV when he forced a fumble by Pittsburgh’s Rashard Mendenhall in the fourth quarter which helped the Pack to a 31-25 win and their most recent championship.

Matthews signed with the Los Angeles Rams before the 2019 season and is now an unrestricted free agent.

2. Reggie White (1993-1998)

Few players changed the direction of the Green Bay Packers franchise more than Reggie White. “The Minister of Defense” signed a free agent deal with the Packers in 1993, showing that the league’s smallest market could compete for free agents and changing the perception of Green Bay among African American athletes.

White played six seasons with the Packers and totaled 68.5 sacks. He was voted to the Pro Bowl in every season he played with Green Bay and was twice named All Pro.

In Super Bowl XXXI, White sacked New England’s Drew Bledsoe three times late in the game to help seal the Packers 35-21 victory. He had eight total postseason sacks during his tenure in Green Bay and the Packers made the playoffs every season he was with the team.

White retired as the NFL’s official all-time sack leader. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Sadly, White died in 2004 at the age of 43.

1. Willie Davis (1960-1969)

The Packers acquired Grambling alum Willie Davis in a trade with the Cleveland Browns prior to the 1960 season. Davis went on to become a five-time All Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection en route to a Hall of Fame career with the Packers.

“Dr. Feelgood” weighed only 243 pounds but his quickness helped him become one of the top pass rushers in NFL history. Although sacks were not an official statistic when Davis played in the NFL, John Turney of the Professional Football Researchers Association estimates that Davis had at least 100 sacks during his time with the Packers and possibly more than 120. He also holds the Packers career record with 21 fumble recoveries.

Davis played his best in big games. He recorded 1.5 sacks in Super Bowl I against the Chiefs and three sacks in Super Bowl II against Oakland. In all, Davis was a part of five championship teams in during the Lombardi Era.

Davis was a leader on the Green Bay defense and in the community. He went on to a successful business career after retiring from football in 1969.

Davis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Packers Hall of Fame in 1975. He died on April 15, 2020, at the age of 85.