One highly-rated Detroit Lions player could win a trailblazing award.

Nominations for the NFL’s inaugural Protector of the Year Award were announced on Thursday, Jan. 29, with Lions right tackle Penei Sewell listed as a nominee. Sewell is one of six nominees for the award along with Denver Broncos tackle Garett Bolles, Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz, Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer, Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey and Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney.

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The three-time All-Pro Sewell has already been recognized as one of the best offensive linemen in football since his professional debut in 2021, making the Pro Bowl four times (including in 2025) and even getting votes for Offensive Player of the Year in 2024.

This is the first year the NFL will hand out its Protector of the Year Award, presented to the best offensive lineman in football. And though the Lions missed the playoffs going 9-8 in a disappointing 2025 season, Sewell still demonstrated his worthiness for the nomination.

Sewell was named Pro Football Focus’ 2025 Protector of the Year on Jan. 8, with Sewell landing among PFF’s top three offensive linemen in each of the past three seasons.

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The Lions drafted Sewell No. 7 overall in the 2021 draft out of Oregon, and he has played an integral role in Detroit’s success while starting all but two games over his five seasons in Detroit. He has been named a Pro Bowler in each of the last four seasons and a first-team All-Pro in each of the last three.

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Sewell is not the only Lions player nominated for an end-of-season award, with edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson a finalist for both Defensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year. No Lions player has ever been named Defensive Player of the Year, while quarterback Matthew Stafford was the last Lions player to win Comeback Player of the Year in 2011.

And if Sewell wins Protector of the Year, he will be not only the first winner from Detroit, but the first winner ever.

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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Penei Sewell nominated for NFL Protector of the Year Award