The Detroit Lions put one of their biggest offseason mysteries to bed on Monday when Dan Campbell announced his intention for Penei Sewell to play left tackle. The announcement came as Campbell addressed reporters at the NFL’s annual meetings in Phoenix. While he didn’t fully commit to Sewell switching to the blindside, it sounds like that is the plan, with Campbell adding, “He’s ready to do that,” per SI’s Albert Breer.
The move brings some much-needed clarity to the Lions' offensive line. After releasing Taylor Decker amid a contract dispute, the blind side was always an option, and it puts the rest of the unit into place for the 2026 season. But it’s also a decision that makes the rest of the Lions’ offseason plans easier and could provide a better performance in the trenches in 2026.
Lions’ Offseason Plan Now Clear with Sewell Likely Switching Positions
The left tackle position has been a big problem since Decker left, and until Monday, there didn’t seem to be many solutions. Larry Borom was signed with the idea of being a starter, but putting him on the blindside seemed to be a bold move. Even if the Lions picked a rookie to groom, they may not have been slotted high enough to select a player at his natural position with the No. 17 overall pick in the draft.
This made moving Sewell a legitimate option. One of the league’s best linemen regardless of position, Sewell had his best season as a pro in 2025, posting a career-high 95.2 overall grade in 998 snaps and allowing 19 pressures and two sacks on 573 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. It’s also a position that the 25-year-old has played before, logging 536 snaps as a rookie in 2021 and 142 snaps in 2023. The main benefit of this move, though, is that it puts everything into focus on the offensive line.
Sewell will man the blind side while guard Christian Mahogany will return for another season. The Lions spent big for Cade Mays to play center during free agency, and Tate Ratledge will look to build off a strong rookie year at right guard.
If there’s any suspense left, it would be at right tackle. But even that is easier to figure out than finding one on the left side. Borom has been serviceable enough to begin the season at right tackle, but it also keeps the door open to add a rookie. NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus mock draft currently has the Lions taking Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, who played his snaps at right tackle in college, but other options, such as Blake Miller, could be in play with this move.
Utah’s Caleb Lomu, who was a left tackle in college, could also be in consideration with Campbell not making the move official. But whoever the Lions take, if they even choose to use their top pick on an offensive tackle, they should have time to develop without being thrown into the fire. It’s also possible Detroit could roll with what they have and fill a different need, such as cornerback, safety, or edge rusher, with their first-round pick.
Whatever the plan is, Sewell’s position change is a big piece of the puzzle. While things aren't set in stone quite yet, it’s a spot that’s almost reserved for big, black ink and gives Detroit a good idea of how they would like to approach next month’s draft.