The Detroit Lions are one day out of mandatory minicamp for their veterans. This will offer a great look into how some injuries are progressing, how some changes are being worked through, and how the team seems to be forming chemistry with their new offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing, and second year defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
One change that Lions fans are looking forward to observing is likely their shift on their offensive line. Penei Sewell is now the starting left tackle with Taylor Decker off the team, and after the team snagged right tackle Blake Miller with their 1st round pick. Sewell has experience at the position, and it makes sense to just re-shuffle him. But, it's not as easy as it sounds.
Sewell has said to reporters that he's learning how to interpret the playbook entirely differently going from right to left. It's the opposite of everything he's known as an All-Pro right tackle. And while he's a consummate professional for being able to take on this challenge, it is a challenge, period.
And, ESPN's Eric Woodyard, who covers the Lions, agrees. He wrote that his biggest question for the team headed into minicamp is, "How will All-Pro offensive lineman Penei Sewell adjust to left tackle?"
Sewell's adjustment to left tackle could make or break Lions' kickoff to season
Last year, Detroit struggled to get off the ground against a tough slate because their O-line was so fresh. They had Graham Glasgow under center, not Frank Ragnow. They had Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany manning the right and left guard positions. It was on Decker, who was clearly beginning to take a step back with his productivity, and Sewell, to carry the rest of the line.
And, that was simply not possible against teams like the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, or Philadelphia Eagles.
So, to say this is going to be an important adjustment to nail immediately is an understatement.
READ MORE: Lions’ defensive concerns are hard to ignore heading into the summer
It doesn't feel like an option, at this point, to have Sewell move back to right while the team throws one of Giovanni Manu or Devin Cochran in at left. Miller has to perform, and the same goes for Sewell. Any disruption in this grand plan threatens to undo everything that worked about Detroit's draft and free agency.
While this may not be the biggest battle weighing on fans' minds headed into minicamp - the teams' injured secondary feels like the priority there - it's still worth monitoring as it could truly shake up the Lions' offense and its potential for 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on Google