The Detroit Lions are restructuring their offensive line by moving All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell from the right side to the left side to serve as the primary blindside protector for quarterback Jared Goff, as reported on Thursday.
Sewell is the final remaining member of the 2021 starting offensive line unit still on the roster after a series of offseason personnel adjustments.
The positional switch follows the March release of veteran Taylor Decker and the free-agent signing of Larry Borom, along with the selection of college right tackle Blake Miller in the April draft.
Sewell addressed the media after completing the sixth organized team activity for the franchise.
"Every year we talk about a different year," he said Thursday. "But this one's kind of … a lot different."
The offensive lineman acknowledged the physical adjustments required to flip his blocking mechanics to the opposite side of the line.
"It is what it is," he said.
Coach Campbell Expresses Confidence
Lions coach Dan Campbell expressed confidence in the transition, noting that Sewell previously started eight games at left tackle as a rookie in 2021 due to an injury to Decker.
"It'll be like riding a bike for him," Campbell said. "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."
Campbell also indicated that the strategic changes will place a heavier rushing burden on running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who takes over the primary backfield role following the departure of David Montgomery to Houston.
"He really became more of that last year, but we're going to hang our hat on him quite a bit," the Lions coach continued.
"We expect him to have a big year for us."
Statistical data from Pro Football Reference and Pro Football Focus reveals that Gibbs averaged 2.27 more yards per carry when running to the right side behind Sewell over the past three seasons.
"I didn't know that," Gibbs said.
Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew praised the capabilities of the four-time Pro Bowl blocker during the team transition.
"I think he's one of the best who ever did it," Agnew said.
Team executives and teammates maintain that the structural adjustment will not hinder the overall productivity of the offensive front line.
