The Detroit Lions are transitioning All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell from the right side to left tackle to serve as the blindside protector for quarterback Jared Goff during team offseason workouts, as reported by Sports.
Sewell stands as the final remaining member of the 2021 starting offensive line unit still on the roster.
The positional switch follows the March release of veteran Taylor Decker and the subsequent free-agent signing of Larry Borom, alongside the first-round draft selection of Clemson tackle Blake Miller in April.
The coaching staff expressed full confidence in the transition due to Sewell's prior experience at the position during college and his rookie NFL season.
"Every year we talk about a different year," said Penei Sewell. "But this one’s kind of … a lot different."
The offensive lineman acknowledged the physical adjustments required to reverse his stance and push off a different leg during the sixth organized team activity.
"It is what it is," said Sewell.
Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell noted that Sewell previously started eight games at left tackle in 2021 and has continued taking reps there over the past five years.
"It'll be like riding a bike for him," said Campbell. "Will it be things he'll have to learn?
Yeah, of course there will be. But I mean he has played left.
That's muscle memory.
He played a lot of left in college and for us for those in '21, those first few games.
And he still took reps at left even over the last five years, so that'll be seamless. That'll be seamless.
Sewell can do it all."
The coaching staff also noted a structural shift in the backfield following the winter departure of David Montgomery to Houston, which elevates running back Jahmyr Gibbs into a primary role.
"He really became more of that last year, but we're going to hang our hat on him quite a bit," said Campbell.
"We expect him to have a big year for us."
Data from Pro Football Reference and Pro Football Focus shows that the Lions' rushing offense was significantly more efficient on the right side of the line over the past three seasons, where Gibbs averaged 2.27 more yards per carry compared to the left side.
"I didn’t know that," said Gibbs.
The front office maintained that Sewell's athleticism and work ethic will prevent any decline in execution despite the major line adjustments.
"I think he’s one of the best who ever did it," said Ray Agnew, Lions assistant general manager.
Team leadership remains aligned on the long-term success of the newly integrated offensive front as preparations continue.
