Lions' Penei Sewell Finalist for NFL's Protector of the Year Award

Offensive tackle recognized for elite performance despite admitting 2025 was not his best season.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:55am

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Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell has been named a finalist for the NFL's inaugural Protector of the Year Award. This new award, voted on by a committee of NFL legends, recognizes the essential contributions of offensive linemen to team success.

Why it matters

Offensive linemen are often overlooked in traditional NFL awards, despite their critical role in protecting quarterbacks and opening holes for running backs. This new award aims to shine a spotlight on this important position group.

The details

Sewell, who was also named a First-Team All-Pro in 2025, has been recognized by a panel of NFL legends for his elite performance, even though he acknowledged that last season was not his best. The Protector of the Year Award uses a performance-based evaluation and peer-to-peer approach to evaluate offensive linemen.

  • Sewell was announced as a finalist on January 30, 2026.

The players

Penei Sewell

Detroit Lions offensive tackle who was named a finalist for the NFL's inaugural Protector of the Year Award.

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What’s next

The winner of the Protector of the Year Award will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony on February 10, 2026.

The takeaway

The creation of the Protector of the Year Award highlights the growing recognition of the critical role that offensive linemen play in the success of NFL teams, even if they don't receive the same level of attention as skill position players.