For years, the NFL had overlooked some of the hardest-working guys on the field.
Everybody raved about those making throws or highlight catches, or those who got to the opposing quarterback or forced turnovers.
Now, they will finally give credit to those who make those offensive highlights happen by introducing the Protector of the Year award.
With that in mind, Nick Shook of NFL.com pointed out that Penei Sewell seems to be the most likely candidate to take home the award this season:
“No matter who you ask, most everyone will agree Sewell is the favorite to take home the first Protector of the Year award. With an award now in place to properly recognize linemen, Sewell will bring a sterling reputation to the race and should own a place near the front of the pack in 2025. The only way he doesn’t land among the top finalists is if Detroit’s offense regresses under new offensive coordinator John Morton,” Shook wrote.
Sewell has always been a force to be reckoned with at the line of scrimmage.
He gives Jared Goff a clean pocket on every dropback, and he’s been instrumental in the Detroit Lions‘ offensive proficiency for years now.
Of course, some of that might change now that Ben Johnson is no longer on the premises, and some have doubts about how Dan Campbell’s team will fare in their first year without their top two assistants.
Even so, with the same blocking schemes, Sewell should continue to be one of the most dominant pass-protectors in the game.
He logged the second-best grade in run blocking in 2024 and was No. 4 overall among all offensive tackles, opening up countless lanes for Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to wreak havoc out of the backfield.
Left tackles could perhaps have an upper hand in this race because they protect the quarterbacks’ blindside, but Sewell has established himself as the undisputed best right tackle in the league.
