Pearce leads all rookies with 8 sacks this season.
While the Atlanta Falcons have been anything but consistent this season, rookie edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has been a consistent bright spot in an otherwise disappointing year. Atlanta overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the team couldn’t have done it without Pearce.
The rookie added two more sacks to his total in the Falcons’ 29-28 win over the Bucs on Thursday night. Pearce has now recorded a sack in each of his last six games, which is the longest current streak in the NFL. Not only did he break the Falcons rookie record for sacks in a season, but Pearce now leads all rookies with eight sacks.
NFL fans around the country have taken notice of Atlanta’s breakout pass rusher. Many on social media were calling for Pearce to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award following his dominant performance in Week 15.
NFL world call for James Pearce Jr. to win DROTY award
Another James Pearce Jr. sack. Have to imagine he’s the frontrunner for defensive rookie of the year at this point.
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) December 12, 2025
JAMES PEARCE JR FRANCHISE ROOKIE RECORD IN SACKS
— Tre’Shon (@tre3shon) December 12, 2025
myles garrett had 7 sacks his rookie season.. james pearce already has 8. I hate people who just hate for no reason lmao give credit where it’s due https://t.co/L9pllHOdGE
— lauryn (@laurynsage) December 12, 2025
NFL sack leaders over their last 6 games:
1. Myles Garrett (15)
2. James Pearce (7.5)
Pearce is slowly becoming a stud for the Falcons defense
— Louis (Fanalyze) (@fanalyzesports) December 12, 2025
Terry hasn’t been perfect but getting James Pearce Jr and Jalon Walker might be the best first round draft we’ve had in decades.
Rookie DPOY in JPJ with a close 2nd to Jalon.. hmmmm
— 🏀Hawks Fan TV (@HawksFanTV) December 12, 2025
How is nobody talking about James Pearce Jr… dude should be runaway DROTY.
— Rob(Bee) (@RSkarseth) December 12, 2025
James Pearce Jr would go #1 in the 2026 draft so you really can’t blame the falcons for that one
— boris b. (@red__domino) December 12, 2025
There’s a massive misprice in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year market right now.
I just added James Pearce Jr. at 35/1.
Pearce leads all NFL rookies with 8 sacks. 2.5 more than the next closest player.
Historically, this award overwhelmingly goes to either: the best pass… pic.twitter.com/MPe1UtGJ29
— Weston (@guyincornfields) December 12, 2025
James Pearce Jr with his 8th sack of his rookie season.
He was 11th on our Draft Sheet. Drafted 26th.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 12, 2025
James Pearce Jr. is easily the frontrunner for Defensive Rookie of the Year in my book.
I’ve been surprised his play this year hasn’t been a bigger national story, because a rookie pass rusher doing this would usually get a lot of attention.
He should be a story now.
— Will McFadden (@willmcfadden) December 12, 2025
The Falcons have a nice long week off before they return against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16. Pearce has three games left to add to his already impressive rookie campaign.