NEW ORLEANS – Much like fine wines, certain NFL offensive linemen often enhance their skills as they age, influenced by factors largely beyond their control. While they may initially appear understated, they can be quite formidable.

Take, for instance, the Philadelphia Eagles and their right tackle, Lane Johnson—a prime example heading into their Super Bowl 59 face-off with the Kansas City Chiefs.

“It’s almost like savoring fine wine,” said Jeff Stoutland, the Eagles’ offensive line coach, to YSL News Sports. “As they mature, they gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of technique. An offensive lineman’s existence revolves around mastering techniques, and that’s crucial.”

Notably, former center Jason Kelce thrived in his 30s, while Detroit Lions right guard Kevin Zeitler (34) is following a similar path. When fit, the San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams—who turns 37 at the start of next season—stands out as one of football’s most dominant players.

“I’d compare it to being the wise elder in a jungle; you learn what it takes to win battles, leverage is critical,” shared Andrew Whitworth, a former NFL offensive tackle who received his first All-Pro recognition at age 34 after ten seasons. He likened the journey of offensive linemen to that of older animals teaching the younger ones—where brute strength alone doesn’t guarantee victory.

Now working as an analyst for Amazon, Whitworth equated linemen’s evolution to older UFC fighters, who often hold a strategic edge over younger contenders due to their experience.

After the Eagles overcame the Green Bay Packers in last month’s NFC wild-card game, YSL News Sports probed Johnson about whether offensive linemen truly enhance their skills with age.

“That’s an interesting question,” Johnson replied. “I’d say yes, as we don’t need to cover vast distances. We primarily focus on quick movements in close quarters and utilize our experience to compensate for various situations.”

In that match, the soon-to-be 35-year-old Johnson executed a surprising spin-move block he referred to as “a last-second parachute.”

“The most amusing moment was seeing Whitworth in my jersey on the jumbotron, enjoying the game alongside Kelce and other former Eagles. I joked, ‘By the end, I might end up looking like him, complete with a grey beard!’”

In early football and during their formative years, offensive linemen share a common physique, according to ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky. In contrast, receivers and linebackers can vary greatly in body types. Young athletes usually enter as offensive linemen due to their size, often struggling to catch up in essential skill development.

“Their size and strength remain relatively constant,” mentioned Orlovsky to YSL News Sports. “They continue to be strong for much of their lives. Therefore, it’s about consistently honing their skills and expanding their football knowledge. As they age, they naturally become more adept and intelligent, supporting the idea that they improve over time.”

As Stoutland emphasized, mastering technique is essential.

“You can’t excel if you lack proper technical training,” Stoutland remarked. “Ask any top player, and they’ll agree with me.”

Whitworth shared that he can often gauge a lineman’s performance simply by hearing that they executed well technically, without needing to watch highlight reels.

“In our position, linemen falter not due to lack of skill but because they find themselves outmatched physically or mentally. Many struggle simply to maintain body control,” Whitworth explained. “That’s what causes setbacks, rather than the talent itself.”

Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck draws on his own experience from 12 seasons as a tackle and guard across three teams to support this notion.

“I personally felt it took me about seven years to reach my peak performance,” Heck recounted to YSL News Sports. “It was the perfect mix of coaching, technique refinement, physical maturation, and understanding my opponents.”

Nevertheless, physical decline is inevitable with age, and the rate at which it occurs can vary.

“There’s a stage when your experience and cleverness can make up for a decline in athleticism,” Heck noted, “yet there comes a time when the body is less capable.”

Washington Commanders right tackle Andrew Wylie, who played alongside Heck in Kansas City for five years, expressed a similar sentiment regarding his journey through the league.

“You learn what kind of player you are,” Wylie stated to YSL News Sports. “In your early years, especially during your first contract, you’re often figuring out your strengths and weaknesses against specific opponents. This self-discovery process can take time.”

An increase in proactive offseason training has contributed to the success many offensive linemen enjoy later in their careers. While physical strength is essential, flexibility is equally critical.

“As players age, stiffness often increases,” Johnson indicated. “They tend to lose their explosiveness.”

He recalled his former teammate, Jason Peters, a two-time All-Pro who joined the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad at age 42 last October.

“Didn’t he come into the league in 2003? Wow!” Johnson exclaimed.

Experience is undoubtedly a catalyst for growth in any player. Yet offensive linemen benefit from a longer career trajectory compared to positions that demand quick bursts of speed and frequent collisions.

“The longer you’re in the game,” noted Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata, “the better you can refine your skills.”

“Johnson exemplifies this, as does Jason Kelce. Peters is another prime example. Still, I believe there should be some limits in place for retirement,” Mailata quipped humorously. “I really don’t know how he’s still playing! His passion for the game is something I admire.”

Whitworth reflected on how, upon entering the league in 2006, he came from a Louisiana State program focused on heavy lifting and sprinting.

“Today’s younger players are quite different. They are more mobile and agile, but often lack what I term foundational strength, or ‘grown-man strength,’” he commented.

Looking back at his rookie tape with the Cincinnati Bengals makes Whitworth cringe.

“I’d feel like throwing up watching that,” he said. “Consequently, I spent much of my career working to improve my agility, involving yoga and Pilates.”

While this discussion isn’t to suggest younger offensive linemen are incapable of outperforming their older colleagues, it’s worth noting that some exceptional talents, like Denver Broncos’ All-Pro right guard Quinn Meinerz and Lions’ right tackle Penei Sewell, were still in their fourth year by 2024.

“Those who improve with age are indeed unique; they’re extraordinary talents who were always destined for greatness,” Heck observed. “Recognition may take a year or two, especially when they initially compete alongside other established players. It often takes time for people to fully appreciate their consistent performance over consecutive seasons.”

“The athletes today are prioritizing their health and fitness more than those two decades ago, that’s for certain. But they’re also extraordinary talents,” he remarked about the players mentioned above.

Whitworth chuckled about one memorable scene from the movie “The Blind Side,” where Michael Oher effortlessly blocks a defender over a fence. Such dramatic plays are not the best indicators of an offensive lineman’s effectiveness; consistent performance over the years provides a truer assessment.

“When you see players excel over eight, nine, ten years, their talent becomes undeniable,” Whitworth concluded. “People may overlook them at first, but repeated recognition leads to a growing awareness of their abilities over time. Eventually, a player who consistently performs well garners the respect they’ve earned throughout their career.”