As much as we don’t like to admit it, at times, we as fans can take greatness for granted. Especially if someone has been doing it for an extended period of time. Take Detroit Lions left tackle Penei Sewell for example.
Dating back to when he was the first selection made by Lions general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell in the 2021 NFL Draft, it was clear that the leadership in Detroit knew they had someone special in the then 20-year old Samoan. And from the time he first stepped on the field
as a rookie, we’ve come to appreciate the way Sewell approaches the game.
Fast-forward to the present day and it’s easy to see why. Sewell is not only a perennial All-Pro, but he is also the unquestioned leader in the Lions’ locker room, and one of the pillars that the entire franchise has been built on. Right here, we will be reviewing Sewell’s 2025 performance, as well as looking ahead to the upcoming 2026 season.
If you are looking for the first edition of this series, you can find Jeremy’s preview of Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Penei Sewell
Expectations heading into 2025
Despite there still being veterans along the offensive line such as left tackle Taylor Decker, and center Graham Glasgow, it was evident that this was Sewell’s team heading into the 2025 season. That is what happens when you make your second consecutive First Team All-Pro as a 24 year-old, which is what Sewell accomplished in only his fourth year as a pro in 2024.
For one more season, Sewell would be the Lions’ entrenched starter at right tackle, with Decker protecting quarterback Jared Goff’s blindside. And once again, he would be a featured player in what many figured to be an explosive Detroit offense.
Actual Role in 2025
16 games (16 starts)
PFF offense grade: 95.1 (1st of 94 qualifying offensive tackles)
PFF pass blocking grade: 80.3 (9th)
PFF run blocking grade: 96.7 (1st)
Unfortunately for the Lions, Sewell’s continued dominance wasn’t enough to cover up for the inconsistencies that plagued the offensive line for the majority of the 2025 regular season. On an individual level, it was more of the same from the former Oregon Duck. When it comes to making an impact in the run-blocking department, Sewell is simply in his own stratosphere as a player. Physically, he can do things that few linemen in the league can fathom. From the way he can operate in space, to his near superhuman-level of strength at the point of attack. Combine that with the way he is wired between the ears, and you get someone who is going to end up wearing a gold jacket in the future.
“This year alone, it wasn’t my best ball. It was far from that,” said Sewell regarding his play in 2025. “It starts with me up front. I believe that I’m going to set the tone. I’m going to make plays that typically, o-linemen don’t make. This year was really a down year for me, and that’ll be on my mind.” These comments should inspire fear in the hearts of defenders around the league, especially when you consider Sewell still graded out as the highest rated offensive tackle in the league per PFF.
From a schematic standpoint in 2025, there appeared to be less plays specifically designed to utilize Sewell’s unique skillset than in year’s past. That could have been due to any number of reasons, such as the aformentioned up-and-down play from the other four starters on the offensive line, or the mid-season switch in play-callers when Campbell took play-calling duties away from John Morton. Whatever it was, there wasn’t enough consistent execution to really get into the looks where you can take advantage of Sewell’s rare abilities. Not nearly enough, at least.
In terms of pass-blocking, 2025 was certainly not up to the lofty standards Sewell has set for himself as evidenced by his comments above. And while run-blocking is the more dominant aspect of his game, there seems to be a bit of a misconception surrounding his pass-protecting prowess. He is still elite when it comes to protecting the quarterback, and without making too many excuses, he was battling through several different injuries throughout the year before being sidelined in the Lions’ Week 18 win over the Chicago Bears.
Outlook for 2026
As you know by now, Detroit is all in on finally moving Sewell to left tackle, a position where he won the Outland Trophy during his Sophomore year at Oregon. Personally, I am really excited about this. On the other hand, it’s easy to understand why some are skeptical of the move. Why change something that clearly isn’t broken?
To answer that, I will go back all the way to Sewell’s first game as a Lion in 2021. If you recall, Decker was sidelined early in the year with an injury that kept him out of Detroit’s Week 1 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, forcing the rookie to slide to the left side where he would be tasked with matching up with one of the more feared edge rushers in the game in Nick Bosa. It wasn’t perfect, but I remember thinking to myself after the game ended that Sewell is one of the prospects where the word, “Generational,” wasn’t hyperbole.
“He’s going to be good,” Bosa said of the then 21-year old after the game, via the Lions official team website. “He’s more comfortable on the left, and I could tell from the tape I saw of him on the right. I told him after the game he’s better on the left.”
This brings me to my hot(?) take regarding Sewell’s move to the left. He is going to be even better. That’s right—Sewell will join Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs as the only players to ever garner First Team All-Pro honors at both tackle positions.
With that said, there will certainly be things for him to iron out during training camp and the preseason. However, I think this will be like riding a bike for Sewell. He will get in a groove with kicking and punching on the left side, and his ability as a pass-blocker will reach new heights in 2026 as he settles into his more natural position.
