NFL to reward its ‘unsung heroes’ with an OL Protector of the 12 months Award

Offensive linemen might get acknowledged and credited by their teammates and coaches, however they do not usually obtain recognition from the exterior NFL group 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 perfect offensive lineman every season and handed out on the annual NFL Honors occasion, alongside the Most Precious Participant, Offensive Participant of the 12 months, Defensive Participant of the 12 months and plenty of different prestigious achievements. 

“We would not have all the flowery stats or find yourself on a spotlight reel each week,” Buffalo Payments sort out Dion Dawkins stated. “However with out us, there is no dashing titles, passing titles, or touchdowns.” 

Josh Allen, the MVP of the 2024 NFL season, would seemingly agree together with his blindside protector. The truth is, Dawkins introduced Allen with the award in February and was thanked by him.

“D-Dawk, thanks for presenting — I actually respect 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 staff success … and I really like my staff.” 

Allen was sacked a career-low 14 instances, and his potential to remain upright was key to the Payments going 13-4 and profitable the AFC East. Many NFL groups and entrance workplaces, just like the Payments, imagine 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 Inexperienced Bay Packers (22), the Baltimore Ravens (24) and the Denver Broncos (24) — additionally made the playoffs. 

Working 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 can have a say in who wins the Protector of the 12 months Award as he will probably 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 resolve the winner primarily based on 5 completely different standards: talent metrics primarily based on stats, influence on staff success, management, sturdiness and energy of opponent.

The panel will evaluate stats associated to those standards, decide their high 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 Metropolis Chiefs, stated. “Prepare for the massive guys to have an important season!”

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