Offensive linemen have probably the most thankless job within the NFL. Go stand in that man’s method, and for those who do a very good job, we’ll by no means speak about it. Screw up and, finest case, we’ll publicly disgrace you. Or we’ll blame you for a loss or harm.
The massive lugs want a hug, and that’s why they stay up for the vacation season. Their wealthy quarterbacks — and generally the working backs — reward offensive linemen for his or her blood, sweat and tears with lavish presents for Christmas. Whereas they’re not at all times shared with the general public or annoying media sorts, we had been capable of compile our record of the highest 10 presents from this yr, plus a few honorable mentions. (The underside of the record is finest left to at least one’s creativeness, and we weren’t capable of verify our concept that Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud gave his offensive linemen some rocks to kick.)
Did the quarterbacks, and groups, get speedy dividends from the offensive linemen for his or her generosity? Let’s check out the perfect presents together with how these groups fared in Week 17.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 17 outcome: Beat Denver Broncos 30-24
Joe Burrow requested his linemen what they needed, and when some mentioned weapons, it bought him interested by the best weapon — and samurai swords had been the plain reply.
“Samurai swords, I believe, are fairly dang cool,” he instructed reporters.
He purchased genuine Japanese Katana swords, every having a singular backstory of a city or battle, lined them up in a room and had the linemen choose.
“Joe does an incredible job at shopping for presents which might be extraordinarily significant,” left sort out Orlando Brown Jr. instructed reporters. “The truth that he purchased me a sword, it’s probably the most historical type of respect.”
“My favourite reward I’ve ever gotten by far as a result of it’s so totally different,” guard Alex Cappa added.
Burrow was sacked seven instances within the Bengals’ time beyond regulation win over the Broncos on Saturday, so possibly much less fake sword fights this week, guys.
2. Inexperienced Bay Packers
Week 17 outcome: Misplaced to Minnesota Vikings 27-25
Operating again Josh Jacobs wrapped up custom-made diamond pendants for his 12 offensive linemen. They had been commissioned by ZoFrost and Co., a {custom} jewellery maker primarily based in Houston.
Jacobs is having an enormous season however was held to 69 yards and a landing on 17 carries within the loss to the Vikings. The Packers did rating the final 15 factors of the sport to make it shut, so possibly it simply took the linemen some time to cease squinting from all of the bling.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 17 outcome: Beat Dallas Cowboys 41-17
Operating again Saquon Barkley, who’s vying for the NFL dashing document, was good and went in with quarterback Jalen Hurts on presents for the linemen. They purchased each a personalised golf cart, custom-made with the participant’s final identify and quantity. And, in fact, the logos for Hurts and Barkley on the again. In spite of everything, what’s the purpose of a present if there isn’t a continuing reminder of who bought it for you?
Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley’s joint vacation presents to the #Eagles offensive line arrived earlier immediately. They purchased every lineman a personalised golf cart with their final identify and quantity on it. Hurts and Barkley’s logos are on the again. #FlyEaglesFly | #Eagles 🎅🎄🎁 pic.twitter.com/5kQLLsdRmo
— Quay L.Jones🦅 #FlyEaglesFly (13-3) (@QuayLJones3) December 24, 2024
4. San Francisco 49ers
Week 17 outcome: Misplaced to Detroit Lions 40-34
Brock Purdy was additionally good. He hasn’t gotten his huge payday but, so he turned to company sponsorship. Because of his associates at Toyota, Purdy gave 10 linemen both a Toyota Sequoia or a Toyota Tundra. Although these are the most costly presents on the record, we will’t rank them too excessive since Purdy was extra of a intermediary.
Santa Purdy 🎅
Brock surprises his O-Line with some new wheels 🛻 pic.twitter.com/4iYIWs9k3t
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 20, 2024
5. New York Jets
Week 17 outcome: Misplaced to Buffalo Payments 40-14
You may’t gown up a pig, however that doesn’t imply pigs don’t like to wash up properly once in a while. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has had a depressing season, tried to type up the Jets facility. He had a tailor are available and measure the linemen for a {custom} Tom Ford go well with, which they will put on with their new Tom Ford sun shades and Tom Ford cologne. In addition they acquired a Louis Vuitton passport holder.
And if that was all an excessive amount of for them, Rodgers threw in a stereo speaker and a bottle of Devils River bourbon.
As for the sport, Rodgers benched himself within the fourth quarter with the Jets down 40-0. There isn’t any fact to the rumor that one of many lineman at that time yelled out, “Who the eff is Tom Ford?!?”
6. Detroit Lions
Week 17 outcome: Beat San Francisco 49ers 40-34
In spite of everything, offensive linemen are a easy lot. Jewellery? Vehicles? Nah. Lions quarterback Jared Goff knew his viewers.
“It’s laborious if you bought guys giving out Toyota vehicles to attempt to sustain with that,” he instructed reporters, “however I bought them a pleasant Yeti package deal with a ton of wagyu — steaks and beef. I hope they prefer it.’”
They did. The one draw back is the reward is gone in 4 days.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 17 outcome: Misplaced to Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 29-10
This one must be larger on the record. We’re simply anti-gift playing cards. Even when they’re for $10,000 for an Airbnb that can be utilized worldwide. The Steelers’ Russell Wilson additionally gave 14 offensive linemen a black and yellow Louis Vuitton duffel bag, custom-made black and yellow Good Man Model footwear and a bottle of spouse Ciara’s Ten To One rum.
The Steelers have misplaced three video games in a row, so clearly vacation-themed presents had been a foul concept.
🎁
From: @DangeRussWilson
To: The offensive line pic.twitter.com/eFXiVZfy4f— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 24, 2024
8. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Week 17 outcome: Beat Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10
This must be larger on the record, as properly. However we’re bored with the Chiefs successful every part. And of Taylor Swift. The Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes gave his bodyguards a pink Yeti cooler with a Rolex watch, Oakley sun shades, Lucchese boots and Normatec restoration boots inside. This after giving them a golf cart final yr and a personalised golf bag with golf equipment the yr earlier than.
QB1 unfold some Christmas cheer by giving presents to the o-line 🎁 pic.twitter.com/xASg3iplnX
— Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 18, 2024
9. Washington Commanders
Week 17 outcome: Beat Atlanta Falcons 30-24
Jayden Daniels is unattainable to foretell on the sphere, as he can throw it over defenders’ heads or run by them. However on the subject of shopping for presents, the Commanders QB stored it easy. He wrapped up electrical scooters for his offensive linemen, “in order that they don’t need to stroll round as a lot,” he instructed reporters.
10. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 17 outcome: Beat New England Patriots 40-7
Justin Herbert bought his linemen two reward playing cards, one from Delta Airways (together with baggage) and one for wagyu beef from Snake River Farms — to maintain their minds off their trip plans.
The Patriots didn’t present up Sunday, so it didn’t actually matter for this examine what Herbert bought his guys.
Justin Herbert gifted the offense lineman with baggage and reward playing cards.
Right here’s Rashawn Slater with a thanks vid: pic.twitter.com/JUXuEyVafL
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) December 24, 2024
Honorable point out
Buffalo Payments
Week 17 outcome: Beat New York Jets 40-14
Prior to now, Payments QB Josh Allen gifted his linemen {custom} scooters, golf golf equipment and classes. However his Payments linemen have reversed the development — since every time they screw up, Allen simply runs by a defensive lineman or vehicles a defensive again.
Final yr, they gave him an ATV. This season, they determined to let him know what they thought in regards to the pending MVP vote. The linemen gave him a {custom} diamond necklace of Allen’s No. 17 jersey with “MVP” on the nameplate. The again has the names of the linemen listed. Deal with Dion Dawkins posted the reward on Instagram with the caption, “Merry Christmas to our MVP.”
New York Giants
Beat Indianapolis Colts 45-33
Daniel Jones resides the great life as a follow squad participant on the Vikings. However he didn’t overlook his former teammates — or maintain a grudge for all of the beatings they facilitated earlier this season — and despatched his outdated Giants linemen presents. He gifted them a restricted version bottle of Clase Azul tequila. The bottles can vary in worth from $120 to $19,000.
Right here’s hoping the linemen didn’t Google their respective bottles.
Total document: 8-4
Ethical of the story: Huge guys like presents.
(High illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; images of Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow and Jared Goff: Emilee Chinn, Dylan Buell and Todd Rosenberg / Getty Pictures)