This season, the league added a new award with the Protector of the Year honor, given to the best offensive lineman in football. The Denver Broncos have two nominees in tackle Garrett Bolles and guard Quinn Meinerz, while Bears guard Joe Thuney and Lions tackle Penei Sewell also made the cut. Sewell is widely regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in the league, but he was a member of a Lions offensive line that struggled more than usual this season for a Detroit team that underachieved. Article Continues BelowBoth Broncos nominees are strong candidates to win the award after Denver boasted arguably the best offensive line in the NFL, leading Denver all the way to the AFC Championship Game. Whoever wins the Protector of the Year award in 2025 will be making history as the first of his kind in the NFL.