The NFL is now introducing a Protector of the Year award, which will honor the league’s top offensive lineman every season.
The award will be voted on by a panel that includes “a number of former offensive linemen greats,” according to Brooke Pryor.
NFL executive Troy Vincent credited Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins and former Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams lineman Andrew Whitworth for pushing the idea, Pryor adds.
This feels like a much needed award for the big fellas, who usually don’t get much recognition. Offensive linemen have traditionally only been recognized with Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. No offensive lineman has been recognized as MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, or Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Some examples of finalists we could have saw last year for this award was Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs, then Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Joe Thuney, Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, Denver Broncos right guard Quinn Meinerz, and Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell. All of these guys were named first-team All-Pros last season, so it only makes sense one of them would have won this award
While Dawkins and Whitworth are credited with creating the award, we saw something similar last year. The Pat McAfee show introduced a “Trenchy” award to their show last season. This was an award that recognizes the best offensive and defensive line players in the NFL for the previous season.
Regardless, getting an award for the big fellas is awesome. The NFL will now show more love for some of, if not the most important positions on the field that usually don’t get too much love.
Jaden Chandler-Parnell, or “JC” is a Sports & Sports Betting Analyst for Stare Down Sports. You can Follow him on X @Jaden95Chandler and on YouTube
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