You wouldn’t think a bunch of 300lbs men whose primary job is to be very, very strong would need much protection but Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz decided his offensive line do with a little extra help anyway, buying them each a customized shotgun for Christmas.

Wentz is a keen outdoorsman, and recently went hunting with the baseball star Mike Trout in New Jersey. It’s a passion Wentz shares with Eagles guard Allen Barbre, who was delighted with his gift, which bears his jersey number and name. “This is an awesome gun. I’m excited about it,” Barbre told ESPN. “I don’t know if I’ll shoot it though, it’s pretty nice.”

Barbre said he believes the shotgun is a Beretta Silver Pigeon, which retails at around $2,000. That shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for Wentz, whose rookie contract with the Eagles included a $17m signing bonus.

Fellow rookie Isaac Seumalo was a bit more bemused by his gift. “I haven’t really held a gun or anything before,” said the guard. “But I’m more than thankful for it. It looks sweet. Carson said he’d teach me how to use it and all that good stuff.”

Wentz has had a promising, if mixed start, to his Eagles career. After throwing five touchdowns and no interceptions in his first three games, he goes into the final weekend of the regular season with as many picks as touchdown passes – 14.