Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell has been named a finalist for the NFL's Protector of the Year award.
The award is new this season and will be presented annually at the NFL Honors the week of the Super Bowl to the best offensive lineman of the season. It symbolizes protection, durability and the unsung heroics of the players who shield their teammates and drive their teams forward.
Sewell joins Denver tackle Garett Bolles, Miami center Aaron Brewer, Kansas City center Creed Humphrey, Denver guard Quinn Meinerz and Chicago guard Joe Thuney as finalists for this year's award.
Sewell was named First-Team All-Pro for a third straight year and earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod this season as arguably the best right tackle in football and one of the top pound-for-pound players in the entire league.
View photos of Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell.
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 in Baltimore. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 in Baltimore. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 in Baltimore. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) celebrates with Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) and Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 in Cincinnati. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 in Landover, Md. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) and Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) celebrate after a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 in Landover, Md. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) before an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Sewell's 95.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus led all offensive linemen this season. His run-blocking grade (96.8) is the highest by any right tackle over the past five years and led all offensive linemen by a substantial margin. He led all offensive tackles in positively graded run-play rate (21.9 percent) and was the only player at the position to clear the 20 percent mark.
Sewell allowed pressure on just 3.3 percent of pass plays, a career best that ranked second among right tackles and fifth among all offensive tackles. He allowed one sack in 16 games this season.
The winner will be selected by a panel of former offensive linemen (LeCharles Bentley, Jason Kelce, Shaun O'Hara, Orlando Pace, Will Shields and Andrew Whitworth), based on the following criteria:
- Quality of competition: quality and consistency of defensive fronts faced.
- Availability to teammates: presence on the field, leadership.
- Durability: ability to meet the physical demands of the season.
- Weekly consistency: sustained performance across the full schedule.
- Video validation: film review confirming execution, technique, and situational impact.
- Football analytics: advanced metrics tied to pass protection, run blocking, discipline and team efficiency.
Sewell was already named the PFF Protector of the Year this season, a separate award given out each season by PFF.
