The Detroit Lions have one of the most powerful offenses in the NFL, and between quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, it's hard to say who is more valuable.
As a result of this depth, picking an MVP for the team might be difficult. All those names play a vital role for Detroit, and subtracting any could significantly impact the entire operation. In terms of projecting who should earn league MVP honors, the thoughts would immediately drift in the direction of the quarterback.
Goff has enjoyed fantastic seasons with the Lions and barely sniffed the award. Most expect Gibbs to make his case powerfully this season, but it's tough if not impossible for a running back to claim the award lately.
If not either of those two, who should be considered for MVP? NFL.com analyst Kevin Patra made the case for the best non-quarterback candidates across the NFL. Interestingly enough, he believes offensive tackle Penei Sewell is the answer in Detroit.
"The assumption that Sewell will move from right to left tackle without missing a beat speaks to the blocker’s talent. Few expect him to stumble, yet it’s easier said than done -- even perennial Pro Bowler Tristan Wirfs saw his efficiency dip slightly in his first season after making the same move in Tampa in 2023. If Sewell pulls it off without a hitch and remains an All-Pro, his standing among his peers will be solidified. Sewell’s importance to the Lions getting back on track is obvious. The entire offensive line rework rests on his ability to protect Jared Goff’s blind side, stabilize the young unit and get an explosive offense going again. He is the keystone in Detroit."
Few have the talent to switch positions without missing a beat, but if Sewell immediately plays at an All-Pro level on the other side, he could make a case for himself being the most valuable player in the league. Detroit's offense relies on elite protection for Goff while controlling the ground. If Sewell leads the charge to give Goff time and Gibbs room to operate, that would be the definition of valuable.
With this in mind, Patra could be right. Should the Lions play better, it will have plenty to do with Sewell. With Decker out of the picture, he will become the longest-tenured Lion up front. As a result, he will be the new heart and soul of the group and will be called upon to step to the forefront.
Hank Fraley thinks Sewell will adjust well to his positional switch
The chance of Sewell playing well enough to justify being thought of as the Lions' MVP candidate would revolve around him flawlessly changing positions this year. After the departure of Decker, the Lions will be asking Sewell to switch to left tackle early in his career.
Fraley has had a front row seat to the first few months of the experience, and believes Sewell has the goods to hit the ground running like a game-changer. The reason? His athletic ability and his mental makeup leaves him in a good position.
"I told him it's like riding a bike. You can go years without riding a bike mentally and then you get on, you just got to find your balance, your timing, how you pedal, how you do all that. It's been a long time since he's done (left tackle) consistently. His rookie year, we didn't think he was playing right tackle or left tackle, and then something happened to (Taylor) Decker, and he had to jump over there without any practice. It took a little bit, but he's transitioned pretty smoothly."
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"Everybody knows he's a very good athlete. He takes pride in his work, and it's just ironing out that stuff, the timing of the punch. You build habits and that's what (practice) is about, you're building those habits. You got to break old habits, and a lot of it is footwork, balance, weight distribution. You're used to a right-handed stance, now you're getting on the left constantly. It's building those habits, breaking old ones, building new ones, and being comfortable there."
Sewell has impressively maintained his standard over the years in Detroit. He's been a quiet MVP for the Lions as a result. While he isn't likely to become the actual league MVP, there's no question that fans understand what he means to the franchise.
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