After decades of the big guys in the trenches receiving very little credit, the NFL appears set to introduce a new yearly award to recognize the top offensive lineman in professional football.
Dubbed the “Protector of the Year Award,” the honor will be handed out to the NFL’s best offensive lineman by a panel helmed by numerous greats at the position, per reporting by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor and Alaina Getzenberg.
There had been a bit of chatter in recent years that the work of offensive linemen goes largely underappreciated, so the league moving to create the Protector of the Year Award represents a huge step in the right direction.
Offensive linemen remain just as committed to their craft as players at skill positions do, and the toll the game takes on their bodies is often greater than that of other position groups. For an idea of the impact such linemen make, look no further than the Philadelphia Eagles path to contention and a Super Bowl victory last season — that team was built to succeed primarily through excellent trench play.
While there has not yet been an announcement regarding betting opportunities and futures markets on this new award, it’s safe to assume offensive tackles might have the edge in hypothetical odds — especially as one of the most coveted and highly-paid positions in the sport. Assuming a clean slate of health, Trent Williams would certainly be among top picks to win it, while Rashawn Slater, Tristan Wirfs, and Penei Sewell might also be early frontrunners.
Again, no futures market yet exists for Protector of the Year, nor has any been announced to this point. Regardless of whether bettors are able to get in on the action, it’s still nice to see an oft-forgotten position group finally get an opportunity for the awards-season credit they deserve.
