In a league where quarterbacks and skill players often steal the spotlight, the unsung heroes of the trenches—offensive linemen—rarely get their due. Year after year, awards like MVP or Offensive Player of the Year bypass the big men up front, despite their critical role in elevating teams to greatness. A transcendent offensive lineman can redefine a season, yet their names are seldom called when the hardware is handed out. The NFL is finally waking up to this injustice, and in 2025, the league will introduce the inaugural NFL Protector of the Year Award to honor the best of the best in the trenches. Leading the charge? Two stars from the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, who are poised to dominate the conversation.
Eagles’ Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata: Favorites for Glory
Philadelphia’s offensive line is a juggernaut, and right tackle Lane Johnson and left tackle Jordan Mailata are among the early favorites for the NFL’s new award. Johnson, a grizzled veteran at 35, is listed at +750 odds, trailing only Detroit’s Penei Sewell. Meanwhile, Mailata sits at +1500, a testament to his meteoric rise.
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“Even at 35, Johnson continues to anchor one of the league’s elite offensive lines with unparalleled skill,” wrote PFF’s Mason Cameron on July 2. “His career-high 88.9 overall PFF grade in 2024 placed him in the top 10 among qualifying linemen in both pass-blocking (88.7) and run-blocking (85.4). Johnson’s clean grading profile makes him a cornerstone of Philly’s top-ranked unit.”
Mailata’s 2024 season was nothing short of historic. “He earned PFF honors as the NFL’s best run blocker and the highest-graded offensive lineman overall,” Cameron noted. “His 95.2 PFF grade led the league by a wide margin, ranking as the second-highest ever recorded by PFF for an offensive lineman since 2015.” These two behemoths are the heartbeat of an Eagles offensive line that’s as dominant as it is decorated.
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Jeffrey Lurie’s Billion-Dollar Bet on the Trenches
No owner in the NFL invests in their offensive line like Philadelphia’s Jeffrey Lurie. The Eagles’ boss has turned doling out massive contracts into an art form, ensuring his quarterback—Jalen Hurts—operates behind a fortress of talent. By the end of the 2028 season, Lurie will have shelled out a jaw-dropping $356.5 million in career earnings to Johnson and Mailata alone. And that’s just the start.
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Lane Johnson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, signed a one-year, $25 million extension on March 17. If he plays out his contract through 2026—a tall order at age 35—he’ll earn a staggering $223.6 million over his career. A two-time Super Bowl champion, five-time All-Pro, and six-time Pro Bowler, Johnson’s résumé speaks for itself. Meanwhile, Mailata, who inked a three-year, $66 million extension in April 2024, responded with his first All-Pro nod, cementing his status as one of the game’s premier tackles.
But Lurie’s spending spree doesn’t stop there. Center Cam Jurgens, fresh off his first Pro Bowl in 2024, signed a four-year, $68 million extension on April 21. Right guard Landon Dickerson, another cornerstone, secured a four-year, $84 million deal in March 2024. If all four linemen play out their contracts, Lurie will have invested a mind-boggling $531 million in his offensive line by 2029. That’s not just a commitment—it’s a revolution.
A New Era for Offensive Line Recognition
The NFL’s Protector of the Year Award signals a long-overdue shift in how the league values its linemen. For too long, the likes of Johnson and Mailata have toiled in anonymity, their contributions overshadowed by flashier positions. But anyone who understands football knows the truth: a dominant offensive line is the backbone of any championship team. Philadelphia’s success—culminating in their 2024 Super Bowl victory—is proof of that.
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Lurie’s willingness to pour hundreds of millions into his offensive line isn’t just about protecting his quarterback; it’s about building a legacy. With Johnson and Mailata leading the charge for the new award, and Jurgens and Dickerson holding it down in the interior, the Eagles’ offensive line is a masterclass in dominance—and financial commitment. As the NFL finally shines a spotlight on the trenches, Philadelphia’s big men are ready to take center stage.