The NFL Honors are right around the corner, and this year’s ceremony brings something new to the table: the inaugural Protector of the Year award. It’s a long-overdue spotlight on the big men in the trenches - the offensive linemen who do the dirty work, keep quarterbacks upright, and open up lanes in the run game. And if you’ve been watching the 2025 season closely, it’s no surprise who’s front and center among the finalists: Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell.
Sewell’s not just in the conversation - he is the conversation. The fifth-year tackle has been a force all season long, and the accolades are stacking up.
He’s already earned First-Team All-Pro honors for the third straight year and punched his ticket to a fourth consecutive Pro Bowl. Add to that a jaw-dropping 95.5 grade from Pro Football Focus - the highest among all offensive linemen this year - and you start to see why he’s the frontrunner for this new award.
Let’s break that down a bit. A 95.5 overall grade from PFF isn’t just elite - it’s historic.
Over the past three seasons, that number ranks third among all offensive linemen and first among right tackles. His 95.1 run-blocking grade?
That’s the best by any right tackle in the last five years, trailing only Trent Williams’ legendary 2021 campaign across all positions. In short, Sewell isn’t just playing well - he’s putting together a résumé that could define the position for years to come.
But he’s not alone in the race. Five other linemen have earned their way onto the finalist list:
- Garett Bolles, tackle for the Denver Broncos
- Quinn Meinerz, guard for the Broncos
- Joe Thuney, guard for the Chicago Bears
- Aaron Brewer, center for the Miami Dolphins
- Creed Humphrey, center for the Kansas City Chiefs
That’s a strong group, featuring a mix of veteran savvy and rising stars, all of whom anchored their respective lines in 2025. And interestingly, the Broncos are the only team with two finalists - a nod to just how dominant their interior line play was this season.
The Protector of the Year isn’t just about pancakes and pass pro, either. The award is voted on by a panel of former offensive linemen, and they’re looking at a full spectrum of traits: skill metrics, impact, leadership, durability, and the strength of the opponents faced. It’s a holistic view of what makes an elite offensive lineman - not just the tape, but the total package.
We’ll find out who takes home the hardware on Thursday, February 5, when the NFL Honors airs at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and NFL Network.
And while all eyes will be on Sewell for this new award, he’s not the only Lion in the spotlight. Edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson is also up for two major honors: Defensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year.
But make no mistake - this new award is a big moment for offensive linemen everywhere. It’s a chance to celebrate the unsung heroes of the game. And if Penei Sewell’s name is called, it’ll be a well-earned recognition of one of the most dominant seasons we’ve seen from a right tackle in recent memory.