List of National Football League annual interceptions leaders

An interception, also known as a pick, is a gridiron football concept involving a pass being caught by an opposition player, who usually gains possession for his team. Record-keeping for interception counts in the National Football League (NFL) began in 1940. The record for most interceptions in a single season is held by Night Train Lane, who logged 14 interceptions as a rookie in 1952, while playing for the Los Angeles Rams.[1] Previously Dan Sandifer of Washington and Spec Sanders jointly held the record, earning 13 interceptions, in 1948 and 1950, respectively. The record for most league-leading seasons in interceptions is 3. This was first achieved by Everson Walls, who led the league in interceptions in 1981, 1982, and again in 1985.[2] Ed Reed was later able to match Walls, by leading the league in 2004, 2008, and 2010.[3] Bill Bradley became the first player to lead the league in interceptions in consecutive seasons (1971 and 1972).[4] The aforementioned Walls matched Bradley with his 1981 and 1982 efforts. The most recent player to lead the league in interceptions was Xavien Howard, who finished with 10 on the season for the 2020 Miami Dolphins. Additionally, New York Giants players have led the league in interceptions in more seasons (7) than any other team, but it has not happened since 1968.