Offensive linemen could get acknowledged and credited by their teammates and coaches, however they do not typically obtain recognition from the exterior NFL neighborhood and have by no means received particular person accolades for his or her efforts.
In 2025, that can change. The NFL launched the Protector of the 12 months Award on the league’s spring assembly on Wednesday. Will probably be given to the very best offensive lineman every season and handed out on the annual NFL Honors occasion, alongside the Most Worthwhile Participant, Offensive Participant of the 12 months, Defensive Participant of the 12 months and plenty of different prestigious achievements.
“We’d not have all the flamboyant stats or find yourself on a spotlight reel each week,” Buffalo Bills sort out Dion Dawkins stated. “However with out us, there isn’t any speeding titles, passing titles, or touchdowns.”
Josh Allen, the MVP of the 2024 NFL season, would seemingly agree along with his blindside protector. In reality, Dawkins offered Allen with the award in February and was thanked by him.
“D-Dawk, thanks for presenting — I actually admire it,” Allen stated. “I do know that is a person award and it says ‘most dear participant’ on it, however I believe it is derived from group success … and I like my group.”
Allen was sacked a career-low 14 instances, and his capability to remain upright was key to the Payments going 13-4 and successful the AFC East. Many NFL groups and entrance workplaces, just like the Payments, consider the important thing to success is constructing from the trenches out. The three groups ranked proper behind the Payments in sacks allowed in 2024 — the Green Bay Packers (22), the Baltimore Ravens (24) and the Denver Broncos (24) — additionally made the playoffs.
Operating backs like Saquon Barkley skilled the distinction a sturdy offensive line could make as he ran for a career-best 2,005 yards and 5.8 yards per carry in his first season behind the Philadelphia Eagles‘ unit.
Andrew Whitworth, a former NFL offensive sort out who received Tremendous Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams, additionally confirmed help for the brand new award.
Whitworth may have a say in who wins the Protector of the 12 months Award as he shall be half of a bigger panel that features LeCharles Bentley, Jason Kelce, Shaun O’Hara, Orlando Tempo and Will Shields. These six former linemen will determine the winner based mostly on 5 totally different standards: ability metrics based mostly on stats, impression on group success, management, sturdiness and energy of opponent.
The panel will evaluation stats associated to those standards, decide their prime 5 nominees after which choose one winner from that shortlist.
“It’s time to give the true athletes an opportunity to indicate their abilities,” Shields, a Corridor of Fame guard who performed 14 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, stated. “Prepare for the large guys to have a terrific season!”
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