The Detroit Lions are presently undergoing an offensive line rebuild of sorts. After being the NFC’s No. 1 seed in 2024, Detroit had a terrible 2025 season, finishing 9-8 (last in the NFC North) and missing the playoffs. The Lions’ offensive line’s drop was a key reason for Detroit’s offensive woes, and revamping that unit is one of the team’s top goals this winter.
The Lions’ offensive line shakeup isn’t complete with the release of veteran guard Graham Glasgow. Taylor Decker, a long-time Lions left tackle, announced on Instagram that he had requested his release from Detroit in order to pursue possibilities elsewhere. There was some talk that Decker would retire this summer, but he is determined to continue playing. All signs suggest that he and the Lions are separating on good terms.
Decker’s absence creates a significant void at left tackle, which might have positive consequences for the Lions’ lineman on the opposite side of the line.
Could a Position Change Be in the Works for Detroit Lions RT Penei Sewell?
The Lions have a superstar at right tackle. After choosing Penei Sewell with the No. 7 overall selection in 2021 from Oregon, he has grown into one of the league’s greatest tackles. He is the finest tackle in the league right now, having earned an exceptional 95. 7 PFF grade among all tackles in 2025. Despite taking some blows as a rookie, he nevertheless ended with a grade of 76. 8, which was above average, and increased it to 83. 9 in 2022. Sewell has been the greatest tackle in football for the past three seasons, and he is getting even better.
However, he may not be the right tackle for long. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press considers the possibility that the Lions would shift Sewell to left tackle following Decker’s departure. Sewell, a left tackle in college at Oregon, won the Outland Trophy as college football’s best lineman but transferred to right tackle with the Lions because Decker had the left side on lockdown.
This sort of maneuver is not unusual in recent NFL history. When the Buccaneers had a vacancy at left tackle, they shifted All-Pro RT Tristan Wirfs to the left side and didn’t miss a beat, transforming into an even more dominant player in a more important position. That is exactly what the Lions would want Sewell to do if they choose to make this change.
What else can the Detroit Lions do to improve their offensive line?
Moving Sewell to left tackle addresses the problem, but it opens a position at right tackle, in addition to the concerns they have with the interior of their offensive line. The Lions are likely to make numerous noteworthy additions to their offensive line this offseason, beginning with free agency and continuing with the draught.
Some excellent offensive line selections for the Lions when selecting at No. 17 include Penn State G Olaivavega Ioane, Utah OT Spencer Fano, Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor, Oregon G Emmanuel Pregnon, and Utah OT Caleb Lomu — among many others available later in the draught.
