For years, offensive linemen have been overlooked by fans, coaches, and even team owners. That changes this year with the introduction of the NFL’s new Protector of the Year award—dedicated exclusively to the league’s best offensive lineman.
The award will be judged by some of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history and was officially announced on May 21 at the league’s spring meeting, where other major changes—like a revised kickoff format and a ruling on the “tush push,” when the offensive line pushes the quarterback to gain yardage —were also made.
Credit for pushing the award forward goes largely to Buffalo Bills veteran Dion Dawkins and retired Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth. Dawkins began campaigning for the award back in January, before the AFC Championship Game between the Bills and Chiefs.
“We might not have all the fancy stats or end up on a highlight reel every week, but without us, there are no rushing titles, passing titles, or touchdowns,” Dawkins said in a post on X.
When the award was officially approved, both Dawkins and Whitworth took pride in the moment. Whitworth posted: “This award means everything to the big guys up front. The Protector of the Year isn’t just about stats—it’s about the mindset, grit, and leadership it takes to be the foundation of a football team.”
One major goal of the award is to get coaches and owners to prioritize the offensive line—and that already seems to be working. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has made O-line improvement his top priority. Jacksonville signed three linemen in free agency and drafted two more in April. Now, with a legitimate award on the table, linemen have more than bragging rights to fight for.The award also aims to shift fan perception. As freshman football fan Ethan Hayes put it:
“I’ve realized how truly important the offensive line is. Just look at what happened with Saquon Barkley and the Eagles. He doubled his yardage and touchdowns by going from one of the worst O-lines to one of the best.”
The Protector of the Year award marks a big step forward for offensive linemen. Recognition is long overdue—and now, it’s finally here.
