For years, fans, analysts and players have agreed that the NFL has become a quarterback league now more than ever.

Most would also say that quarterback is the toughest and most important position in all of team sports.

That’s why, as unfair as it may be to every other position, the NFL MVP award has gone almost exclusively to a quarterback, and not even record-breaking campaigns are enough for other players, who have to settle for other distinctions instead.

With that in mind, it makes sense that the NFL will finally honor the guys who make sure that the quarterback is safe and sound and gets enough time and room to operate.

“NFL executive Troy Vincent announces a new end-of-the-year award — ‘Protector of the Year’ — to recognize best offensive lineman each year. Credit to Dion Dawkins and others for championing this cause,” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport wrote on X.

NFL executive Troy Vincent announces a new end-of-the-year award — “Protector of the Year” — to recognize best offensive lineman each year.

Credit to Dion Dawkins and others for championing this cause.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 21, 2025

Winning teams are built in the trenches, and you just can’t survive without good pass protection.

That was the Achilles heel for the Kansas City Chiefs in both of their Super Bowl losses with Patrick Mahomes.

Some of the best quarterbacks in the game fall short because they’re running for their lives with every dropback.

Granted, offensive line play might not be flashy or show up on the stat sheet, but it’s absolutely critical to a team’s success, or lack thereof.

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