For years, offensive linemen have been the unsung heroes of the NFL - grinding in the trenches, anchoring offenses, and rarely seeing their names in headlines. That changes in 2025.
The league has introduced the Protector of the Year Award, a long-overdue honor that finally puts the spotlight on the big men up front. It’s a nod to the vital role they play in shaping games and protecting the league’s most valuable assets: quarterbacks and running backs.
And among the inaugural class of finalists? Dolphins center Aaron Brewer - a steady force in Miami’s offensive engine and one of the most impactful linemen in football this past season.
Brewer is one of six linemen named finalists for the award, joining an elite group that includes Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs, Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz from the Denver Broncos, Joe Thuney of the Chicago Bears, and Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions. It’s a list stacked with talent, and Brewer’s inclusion speaks volumes about the respect he’s earned across the league.
Despite being left off the Pro Bowl roster - a snub that raised more than a few eyebrows - Brewer’s dominance didn’t go unnoticed. He was named a Second-Team All-Pro by the Associated Press, a testament to his consistency, technique, and leadership on the Dolphins’ offensive line. The First-Team nod went to Humphrey, who’s been a mainstay in the Chiefs’ high-powered offense, but Brewer’s All-Pro selection shows he’s right there in that upper echelon.
This recognition comes at a pivotal moment for Brewer. He’s heading into the final year of a three-year, $21 million contract with Miami, and this kind of spotlight only adds to his value - both in the locker room and on the open market.
Winning the award would be a major accolade, but even being named a finalist in the first year of its existence is a significant milestone. It puts Brewer in rare company and cements his status as one of the league’s premier interior linemen.
The Protector of the Year will be announced at NFL Honors on Thursday, February 5th - the same night the league hands out MVP, Coach of the Year, and other major awards. While quarterbacks and skill players will get their usual share of attention, this year, the spotlight will finally shine on the guys who make it all possible.
For Aaron Brewer, it’s a moment that reflects years of hard work, grit, and mastery of one of the game’s most demanding positions. And for offensive linemen across the league, it’s a sign that the game is finally giving credit where it’s long been due.