NEW ORLEANS – Similar to fine wines such as cabernet or chardonnay, NFL offensive linemen tend to improve with age, except for circumstances largely beyond their control. They may seem understated, but they have a significant impact. These players are a unique group in football, showing that they only get better with time. The Philadelphia Eagles, led by right tackle Lane Johnson, showcase this phenomenon as they prepare for Super Bowl 59 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Eagles offensive line coach and run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland likened the linemen’s progress to fine wine, stating, “As they get older, they understand more of the importance of technique. Because an offensive lineman’s life is all technique, and I mean that.”
Former center Jason Kelce found success in his 30s, much like Detroit Lions right guard Kevin Zeitler, who is excelling at 34. The San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams, set to turn 37 next season, remains a dominant force in the league.
Former NFL offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, who achieved his first All-Pro recognition at age 34, compared the linemen’s growth to seasoned veterans in the jungle, knowing what it takes to win battles.
Whitworth drew parallels to older UFC fighters and their advantage over younger opponents. They possess experience that cannot be replicated.
Johnson, about to reach 35, supported the theory that offensive linemen improve with age, citing wisdom as a key factor in their success. He described a unique block he executed as a last-second parachute move.
In a moment of humor, Johnson observed Whitworth at the game, joking about eventually resembling him with some grey in his beard.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky explained that offensive linemen typically share a similar physical build in their early stages. Unlike positions like receivers and linebackers, linemen primarily start due to their size, leading to a continuous pursuit of skill development.
Orlovsky emphasized the importance of skill and intellect in lineman development, with technique being paramount for their success.
“Stoutland confidently stated, ‘And ask any of these talented players, they will vouch for me on that.’ Whitworth emphasized that he can judge a lineman’s performance without watching game footage, relying instead on feedback about their technique. He explained that success for offensive linemen hinges on controlling their body movements and not succumbing to fear or overreactions. Chiefs’ offensive line coach Andy Heck, drawing from his 12-year playing career, highlighted the importance of a combination of coaching, technique, strength development, and matchup awareness for optimal performance. However, as athletes age, physical limitations become inevitable, although experience and skill can compensate to some extent.
Washington Commanders’ Andrew Wylie, reflecting on his time under Heck’s guidance, emphasized the need for players to discover their strengths and adjust their game accordingly. Proactive offseason training plays a crucial role in enhancing an offensive lineman’s longevity and success, balancing strength training with mobility work. Former Eagles player Lane Johnson pointed out the challenges of maintaining explosiveness as players age, citing the remarkable career of his teammate Jason Peters.
Veteran players like Peters, with years of experience, serve as examples of how continuous refinement of skills can prolong a career. Offensive linemen, unlike positions requiring high-speed action, have the advantage of time to refine their craft over the years. Mailata stressed the importance of learning from seasoned players like Peters and Kelce, acknowledging their dedication to the game. Despite the evolution of training methods, Whitworth observed a shift towards more mobile and agile young players, lacking the foundational strength and power from previous eras.”
“Strength,’ like ‘grown-man’ strength.” Watching his rookie tape with the Cincinnati Bengals makes Whitworth want to “throw up.” “So I spent most of my career reversing all that and trying to move better to get limber and doing yoga and Pilates,” he said. None of this is to say that younger offensive linemen are incapable of playing better than their elder linemates. The first-team All-Pro right guard and right tackle, Quinn Meinerz of the Denver Broncos and the Lions’ Penei Sewell, respectively, both were fourth-year players in 2024. “I think you’re talking about some very special people, some outliers,” Heck said of the offensive lineman category of “improved with time.” “Those are great players – they were always great players. Maybe it took a year, two, three, to really notice that because they were still hung up on the other great players that were still going. Sometimes the recognition does come later because it takes a while for everyone to be like, ‘You know what? Come to think of it, that’s two or three years in a row he’s been doing that.’ “To be doing that at their age, unbelievable. Players are taking better care of themselves today than they were 20 years ago, that’s for sure. But they’re also freaks of nature, all the guys you just mentioned.” Whitworth laughs that the main highlight from the movie “The Blind Side” is Michael Oher blocking an unassuming defender off the field and over a fence. Plays like that are the worst indicator of whether an offensive lineman is good at his job. Observing consistent performance over an extended period of time is a more accurate way to assess a player at the position. “So when you’ve watched guys do it for eight, nine, 10, 11 years, there’s no question how good they are,” Whitworth said. “And that’s why all of a sudden their star goes. Because people have heard their name, moved on. Heard their name, ‘Ah, maybe I’m a little interested.’ Heard their name, and (maybe) their team has success now, they pay a little more attention. And then they get to an age where they go, ‘Man, I’ve heard this guy’s name like five, six times. God, he must be good cause he just keeps coming back.’ “And so I think that’s really why you see these veteran offensive linemen that finally get their due and their respect is because they’ve been that way the whole time.” This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Super Bowl 2025: Why offensive linemen are fine wines of the NFL
