Buccaneers Offensive Lineman Favored for NFL's New Protector of the Year Award

Buccaneers Offensive Lineman Favored for NFL’s New Protector of the Year Award originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Last month, the NFL announced a new postseason award geared toward giving the best offensive linemen in the league a little national media attention.

The Protector of the Year Award will be handed out each year at the NFL Honors presentation show and will recognize the best offensive lineman that season.

Former Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth described the award best.

“This award means everything to the big guys up front,” said Whitworth. “The Protector of the Year isn’t just about stats – it’s about the mindset, grit, and leadership it takes to be the foundation of a football team. It’s time the men who lead, protect, and never ask for credit are recognized as the backbone of this game.”

As we approach 2025, it seems that the oddsmakers favor Buccaneers standout protector Tristan Wirfs for the award, making him an 8-1 favorite with third-beat odds behind Detroit’s Penei Sewell at 3-1 and San Francisco’s Trent Williams at 7-1.

A press release by the NFL noted, “The award honors individual excellence and spotlights offensive linemen, whose contributions are often overlooked in the highlight-driven nature of football. It cements their role as the foundation of every great offense. Currently, offensive linemen are the only players who aren’t eligible for most on-field awards.”

The winner will be selected by a panel of former offensive linemen based on skill metrics, impact, leadership, durability and strength of opponent.

The initial panel includes former players, LeCharles Bentley, Jason Kelce, Shaun O’Hara, Orlando Pace, Will Shields and Whitworth.

As the Bucs’ current left tackle, Wirfs is the only player to make the Pro Bowl as a right tackle and a left tackle, and he’s been voted to the Pro Bowl in four of his first five seasons in the NFL. The former Iowa Hawkeye has also received two First-Team All-Pro honors and one Second-Team All-Pro honor.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.

Buccaneers Offensive Lineman Favored for NFL’s New Protector of the Year Award

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