NFL Introduces Protector of the Year Award for Offensive Linemen

The NFL will introduce the Protector of the Year Award starting in the 2025 season to honor the league's best offensive lineman, a position historically overlooked in individual accolades. The award was championed by players like Buffalo Bills' Dion Dawkins and retired Andrew Whitworth, who advocated for greater recognition of offensive linemen's critical role in team success. The winner will be selected by a panel comprising former offensive line greats, ensuring expert evaluation of the nominees. This new award fills a gap in the NFL Honors, which currently features awards for skill positions and defense but none specifically for offensive linemen. The introduction of this accolade highlights the importance of offensive line play in establishing effective running games and providing quarterbacks with protection. The NFL previously had a team-based offensive line award, the Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year, which was discontinued after 2018.