Get ready for an exciting twist in the world of NFL awards! The Protector of the Year award, a first-of-its-kind honor, is about to make its debut, and it's got everyone talking.
Next week, the NFL Honors ceremony will unveil the league's post-season award winners, and among them is this brand-new category, recognizing the best offensive lineman of the 2025 season. And guess who's in the running? None other than Detroit Lions' right tackle, Penei Sewell.
But here's where it gets controversial... Sewell is up against some tough competition. The other finalists include Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz from the Broncos, Joe Thuney from the Bears, Aaron Brewer from the Dolphins, and Creed Humphrey from the Chiefs.
For Sewell, this nomination is yet another feather in his cap. He's already been named First-Team All Pro for three consecutive seasons and has made the Pro Bowl four years in a row. PFF, a leading football analytics site, even named him their Protector of the Year, with an impressive 95.5 PFF grade, topping all other offensive linemen.
ZoltĂĄn Buday from PFF wrote, "Sewell's overall PFF grade (95.5) ranks third among all offensive linemen over the past three seasons, and his run-blocking grade (95.1) is the highest by any right tackle over the past five years."
The official Protector of the Year award is decided by a panel of former offensive linemen, who consider skill metrics, impact, leadership, durability, and the strength of the opponent. It's a comprehensive evaluation of these players' skills and contributions.
If you want to see if Sewell takes home the trophy, tune in to the NFL Honors show on Thursday, February 5th, at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and NFL Network. And don't forget, Aidan Hutchinson, another Lion, is also up for two awards: Defensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year.
So, who do you think will win? Will it be Sewell, or will one of the other finalists pull off an upset? Let's discuss in the comments and share our predictions!
