Would you believe me if I told you that Penei Sewell is only 25 years old?
It doesn't sound right. The Detroit Lions' now-weathered tackle is entering his sixth season in the NFL and with the Lions, and he's about to undergo a major shift as he's swapped from the right tackle position over to the left.
It's an accommodation for the teams' first round selection Blake Miller, who is a more natural - and reliable - right tackle. Sewell, who is an All-Pro tackle in general, was the best piece possible to have on the roster in order to make Miller's fit a lot more seamless than it could've been. Still, there's going to be a learning curve for everyone.
The Athletic's Colton Pouncy recently penned for a piece covering what was learned from every team in this year's minicamps that Sewell, amid this rapid change, has become the de facto leader of the Lions' offensive line.
"...Sewell acknowledges he’s the last remaining member of a once-respected offensive line, and said it’s on him to uphold the standard set by those before him. He’s also taken it upon himself to create chemistry — hosting the O-line at his home for a barbecue earlier this month. He’s settling into his role as the leader — the way the Lions anticipated when they drafted him."
Sewell taking on responsibility of leading suddenly baby-faced O-line
Miller, Tate Ratledge, Christian Mahogany, and Cade Mays are all under 30, just like Sewell. Mays is actually older than Sewell, but the 27 year old is the new guy on the block ahead of this season. Ratledge is just in his second season, while Mahogany is fighting for a role with the starting line in general with a major competition at left guard forming.
It just makes Sewell's aura of a leader all the more impressive, and makes the Lions' selection of him at 7th overall back in 2021 seem all the smarter. He's a natural head for this line, especially since he's been through the literal trenches alongside veterans who had him under their wing in years prior - Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, and Frank Ragnow, just to name a few.
READ MORE: Lions get (understandably) roasted on historic list of draft busts
Detroit is resting a lot on Sewell's shoulders against a suddenly stacked NFC. Myles Garrett is in the same conference. Micah Parsons is expected back for the Green Bay Packers by October, which is just in time for their first meeting with the Lions and far ahead of their final meeting with them in Week 18. The Minnesota Vikings also, seemingly, always know what buttons to push on defense to make Detroit crumble.
Sewell playing not only effectively at left tackle, but at an All-Pro level, would make this Lions line go from a slightly improved version from 2025, to one that has a legitimate shot at carrying the offense to a Super Bowl berth. His leadership is already being felt off the field - his on the field leadership is now on the horizon.
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