Offensive linemen in the NFL are finally getting some love with an award for themselves. Something that the Philadelphia Eagles will look forward to is their stout line dominating year after year.
Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins and former lineman Andrew Whitworth led the charge to have the NFL now include the Protector of the Year award. Starting in 2025, offensive linemen can now win the award at the end of the season, as NFL executive Troy Vincent wanted to help the league show some love to the linemen.
"Offensive linemen don't have awards for being great," Dawkins said via CBS Sports. "There's not a 'Protector of the Year' award. I'm knocking on so many doors now to get this award going. I'm gonna [spearhead] it and make sure this gets done before I'm done playing because there's so many greats. So many greats. We have great quarterbacks, we have great running backs, we have rushing titles, we have quarterback passing titles. All of those titles are reflections of the O-lineman, which are the protectors."
With the award now up for grabs, it's the perfect time to see the Eagles' linemen get the love they deserve after decades of dominance on the line. There's one that stands out as arguably the best in the league right now, but might be one of the best all time.
Eagles offensive lineman takes top spot for Protector of the Year candidate
CBS Sports writer Cody Benjamin listed his top candidates for the new award. At number one, Benjamin had Eagles' right tackle Lane Johnson taking the top spot.
"Is it a coincidence the Protector of the Year award was announced the same day NFL owners upheld the "Tush Push" play perfected by Johnson and the Eagles? Perhaps, but that doesn't mean Johnson isn't still the league's smoothest blocker at 35. He's good for a one- or two-game absence every year due to wear and tear, but his combination of length, power and athleticism are nearly unmatched. He's a huge reason Philly has boasted one of the NFL's most unstoppable fronts even after Jason Kelce's retirement."
Johnson has compiled an impeccable resume since Philadelphia selected him as the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He has been selected for six Pro Bowls and is a two-time first-team All-Pro and second-team All-Pro member. According to PFF, Johnson was ranked as the seventh highest graded offensive tackle in the NFL with 85.4.
After completing his first season in the NFL, Kelce's replacement, Cam Jurgens, was named as an honorable mention for the award. Benjamin believes Jurgens is one of the keys to the offensive line.
"Cam Jurgens is the anchor of the front, responsible for the 'Tush Push' sneak, seamlessly replacing Jason Kelce during his first full-time run as the club's center in 2024."
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Johnson and Jurgens each got new contract extensions for their performances this offseason. Jurgens got a longer one with a four-year, $68 million deal while Johnson got an extra year added that will keep him in Philadelphia through the 2028 season.
Either guy can easily win the award, as they might be duking it out for top honors over the next few years.