Penei Sewell’s ceiling may still be rising, and Dan Campbell isn’t hiding that belief.
The Detroit Lions have already gotten enormous value out of the 2021 draft pick, but Campbell made it clear after the bye week that Sewell is still adding layers to his game. Now in his sixth NFL season and already a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL All-Pro, Sewell has shown enough to rank among the league’s elite. Campbell thinks there’s more coming.
“The switch has been outstanding and yes, I have (seen growth). I still feel an ascending player.
I feel like in some regards he looks even more smooth than he did at right (tackle) and I never thought he looked out of place at right or didn't look smooth. It almost feels like he's found even another little gear.
His ability to get out of his stance and anchor and punch and run off the football, it's just a credit to him. He's banked a lot of reps and honestly, he can go anywhere.
You can put him in at left, you can put him at right. That's why we move him a little bit, but he's playing high-level football right now at left tackle.”
That’s a strong endorsement for a player who has handled a position change without any public fuss. Sewell moved from right tackle to left tackle when the team asked, and the transition has gone smoothly. Campbell’s read on the film is that Sewell hasn’t plateaued; he’s still climbing.
Sewell’s own view of his growth has been shaped in practice, where he’s getting pushed by Aidan Hutchinson. During training camp, Sewell said those daily reps have been a major part of his development, because not many players get that kind of work every day.
“I think I've said this multiple times. I don't take anything for granted and I don't take those matchups for granted because not everyone's able to go against someone like that in practice.
Every day, day in and day out, (we're) just battling. Every time our rep is about to happen, I just know I've got to lock in and if I'm able to block that guy, I can block anyone.”
That’s the kind of internal competition that can sharpen a player fast, and Sewell has already used it to stay ahead of most of the league. With the way he’s playing now, and with Campbell still seeing room for more, the Lions may not have seen the best version of Sewell yet.
In Other News...
Why The Lions Contender Hype Suddenly Looks A Lot More Real
Through six weeks, the Lions have started to look less like a team riding early-season momentum and more like one with a real path to staying in the NFC race. The numbers back up the eye test, too, with the offense and defense both showing meaningful improvement from where this group has been in recent seasons. Detroit has been efficient enough to keep pace with almost anybody, and the way the unit is functioning now suggests the ceiling is higher than many expected back in September.
A big part of the optimism is what still appears to be coming. The defensive front has shown more bite, the secondary has steadied in stretches, and the team is set up to get healthier after the bye with key pieces coming back into the mix. Add in a remaining schedule that does not look overwhelming, and the case for the Lions as a legitimate contender suddenly feels a lot less theoretical. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Face A Packers Threat That Looks Much Worse
Green Bay has spent much of its recent stretch looking like a team trying to find its footing on the ground while leaning harder on the parts of its offense that can still stress a defense. The Packers have battled inconsistency in the run game, but they remain dangerous in the vertical passing game, and their safety play has given them a sturdy backbone as they head into a matchup with Detroit.
For the Lions, that creates a very specific kind of problem. Detroit has struggled to handle deep shots, and the Packers have shown they can punish teams in those areas while also targeting the middle of the field with confidence. A few personnel changes could shape how much balance Green Bay can bring back into the offense, and that is what makes this matchup worth watching closely as the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Offense Has One Lingering Issue Before Two Huge NFC North Tests
The Lions have put up points well enough to sit among the leagues better offenses, but there is still a nagging issue hanging over the unit as two pivotal NFC North games arrive. Even with the attack averaging 32.8 points per game, Detroit has lagged on third down, a place where drives often die and momentum flips in a hurry.
That inconsistency shows up early, too, with the Lions having found the end zone just once in the opening quarter this season. Against the Packers and Vikings, both of whom can force Detroit to operate under pressure, getting cleaner starts and extending possessions could matter as much as the explosive plays that have fueled the offense so far. [Read more 🡒]