Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell is going to be flipping over to the left side of the line for the first time since his rookie season. That was because of an injury to Taylor Decker, who would take back over the job of protecting Jared Goff's blindside after returning from that injury.
Since then, Sewell has established himself as a top-3 right tackle in the league, and honestly, has looked like the best right tackle for much of his career on that side of the line.
It's what makes the Lions' bullish decision to move him over to the left side of the line - where he played to start his rookie year, and where he played in college - a little confusing. Of course, they had no choice after Decker requested and received his release from the team this offseason, other than spending a fortune on new left tackle talent for the 2026 season and beyond, or taking a gamble on a rookie left tackle in this year's draft.
This decision, coupled with the Lions' selection of tackle Blake Miller at 17th overall, makes sense for what they were looking to do this offseason - spend little, improve depth, and reimagine an offensive line that took a major dive in 2025. Not everyone thinks this is a winning strategy, though, with Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski giving this move and the Lions' offseason overall a C grade.
"The Detroit Lions took a major step back in 2025 compared to owning the league's best record a season earlier. Even so, the organization hasn't made the type of adjustments that ensure the squad returns to top contender status," wrote Sobleski.
He added:
"The biggest difference will likely be with a player already on the roster. Penei Sewell is expected to move from right to left tackle after the organization released Taylor Decker. In response, the Lions used this year's 17th overall pick on Clemson's Blake Miller, who started 53 straight games at right tackle."
Bleacher Report not sold on Lions' offseason moves
It's fair to say the Lions kept things...cute, let's say, during this offseason. They weren't big players in the free agency market, nor were they expected to make any noise on the trade market for any prominent pass rushers made available. They were never seemingly in on the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes, nor were they threats to steal Trey Hendrickson in free agency.
That doesn't mean they didn't make meaningful moves or adjustments, though, especially to maintain their contention status. Swapping Sewell over to the left side was their cheapest option that could warrant the highest value by the end of the season, assuming Miller can step in and start at right tackle immediately.
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Additionally, they didn't need to switch much up on offense this offseason, as they already have an elite core nailed down on that side of the ball. Some big questions loom for their defense, though, with the fit of Derrick Moore and D.J. Wonnum next to Aidan Hutchinson still up in the air.
Health to Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch remains a storyline, as well. And, the viability of Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. as long-term, young pieces for defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard's defense...
Alright, so, maybe there are a lot of things that the Lions could've addressed in the offseason that they're hoping to have settled by way of cheap free agency signings and decent drafting. But, zooming out on this roster, it's clear that health and consistency are the biggest factors that could hold them back from truly contending in the NFC - not major roster holes.
The Lions' ability to figure out how to remain healthy and consistent is worth betting on for 2026.
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