For those worried about Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell switching from the right side to left tackle might want to change their stance. T.J. Lang, who was a former NFL offensive lineman and a current sideline reporter for the Lions Radio Network, joined the Pat McAfee show to discuss Sewell and the switch.
Lang made the proclamation that he feels Sewell will be better on the left side.
“Just watching him at right tackle, he would just win blocks because he was dominant, and just so much quicker and agile, and athletic than everybody else he was playing,” Lang stated. “I think he’s going to be even better at left tackle; he’s gonna be a Trent Williams type of guy where you don’t have to worry about him.”
Lang made it clear that this could actually be a significant upgrade for the offensive line.
Detroit Lions Are Optimistic About Penei Sewell Switching to Left Tackle
GettyThe Lions confirmed that Penei Sewell will move to left tackle
One of the big reasons it is easy to be optimistic about Sewell is that he played left tackle exclusively at college. Sewell was only a two-year starter, but he posted 1,190 snaps at left tackle in college while he was at Oregon.
The team switched him to the right side because they had Taylor Decker. It was easier for the rookie to change sides than the veteran, who has been locked down in that spot.
Decker got hurt early in Sewell’s rookie season. So, Sewell got a few starts at left tackle in the NFL before switching sides. He started a couple of games in 2023 due to injury. The team has always been high on his ability to switch to the left side; they just did not need him there. Now that Decker is officially out of the picture, they see the switch as seamless.
Sewell is Following the Path of All-Pro Tackle Tristan Wirfs
The Lions also have a recent development they can point to with Tristan Wirfs on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wirfs was taken in the 2020 draft, and despite playing both tackle spots in college, the Bucs pushed him to the right side because they had veteran Donovan Smith.
Wirfs started for three seasons on the right side and logged 3,186 snaps. He made one first-team All-Pro and one second-team All-Pro.
However, in his fourth season, the team moved on from Smith. So, they switched him to the left side. Now, he is a three-year starter at left tackle, and he recorded 2,887 snaps on that side.
He only has one All-Pro, but it was a first-team honor in 2024. Still, he made the transition easily and was a Pro Bowl player after the first year he moved.
Sewell has spent a little more time on the right side, but the idea is the same. These are two of the best players at their positions. They are both highly athletic and skilled. Both have already had left tackle experience.
It went well for Wirfs, and now all expectations are that it will go just as well for Sewell.
Lions Insider Reveals Why Penei Sewell Could Get Even Better