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The Detroit Lions and RT Penei Sewell agree to a contract extension ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft
It’s been a busy day of spending for the Detroit Lions. Hours after making Amon-Ra St. Brown the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, the Lions agreed to a contract deal with right tackle Penei Sewell.
Reports indicate Sewell will be the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league. The four-year contract is worth a reported $112 million for Sewell, with $85 million guaranteed. The 76 precent guarantee is a very lucrative deal for Sewell, who is still just 23 years old.
Former Duck and current Detroit O-lineman Penei Sewell is about to become the richest O-lineman in the history of the NFL.
We knew Penei Sewell is a large human and now his contract will match the former Oregon Duck’s size.
According to ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter, the Detroit Lions is set to extend Sewell for another four years worth $112 million, $83 million guaranteed, making it the largest contract for an offensive lineman in league history.
Sewell will be entering his fourth season in the NFL after being drafted No. 7 overall by the Lions, who were floundering at the time. But in three short seasons, Detroit is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They narrowly lost in the NFC Championship Game a year ago.
Sewell has been to the Pro Bowl twice already and has made one All-Pro team as well.
Lions are signing OT Penei Sewell to a four-year, $112 million deal that is the largest given to an offensive lineman, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2024
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The Lions are one of the biggest wildcards in the 2024 NFL Draft, and that’s a positive change for Detroit
Throughout the NFL Draft process, there’s a lot of predictions on what will happen on the opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft. Much of these predictions come from the results of mock draft simulators. It’s a great exercise for fans, draft analysts or even your mechanic that doesn’t watch football.
The downside is that it provides this sense of conviction that a mock draft simulator is one-hundred percent accurate and that only the few players you target time and time again are the players that will be drafted by your favorite football team.
When in reality, we’re all guessing. Even your favorite football teams are guessing. Not every team knows what another team is thinking. In the process, everyone tries to connect the dots but the draft board doesn’t always fall in favor of what you want. It tends to go sideways and for the Detroit Lions, this year will be different approach from what we’ve seen in previous years.
Much of that is due to the fact that this is latest first round selection the Lions have had under their new regime.
In 2021, the Lions picked 7th overall and were lucky enough to land offensive tackle Penei Sewell. In 2022, they had the 2nd overall pick and were able to pick defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Meanwhile, they had an additional pick in the first round in 2022 and 2023 for the trade that sent Matthew Stafford to the Rams.
With that, the Lions surprised everyone in 2022 and moved up to the 12th overall pick to select wide receiver Jameson Williams. To follow, they held the 6th overall pick in 2023 and traded back six spots to select running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Using that extra pick in the first round of 2023, they selected linebacker Jack Campbell at 18th overall.
Sure, we can say the Lions got lucky on some selections and then got creative with others. Regardless, they stay true to who they are as a football team. Under Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell, they have created an identity in what they look for in a person and in a football player. Not every team can say that and it’s probably why the Lions are finding success with so many of their younger players on the roster.
But when you look at previous drafts, nobody thought they’d walk away with Jack Campbell, Jahmyr Gibbs and Jameson Williams as first round picks. It’s just reassurance that the Lions are a true wildcard when it comes to the NFL Draft.
In fact, they may be the biggest wildcard. This year will be no different. Without a glaring need, you could make the case for the Lions to select some younger talent at offensive line with the 29th pick. However, there’s going to be a run on offensive lineman and there’s a chance that we see 10 of them off the board by the time the Lions are on the clock.
Certainly, the Lions could use some help on defense whether it be another pass rusher or potentially a defensive back but will the board fall in favor of the Lions to not have to reach for one of those players?
Then there’s the surprise factor. No, I don’t expect the Lions to go after a tight end, running back or quarterback in the first round but a month ago, it would have been more surprising to see them go after a wide receiver. Now, I’m not sure that’s the case. Could they move up for a pass catcher such as Adonai Mitchell from Texas or Brian Thomas Jr., from LSU?
With Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell, anything and everything is on the table. One thing is for sure, don’t get caught up on talking about “exactly” what the Lions are going to do because we don’t exactly know. And to be honest, I don’t think they do either. Their approach will be different but it will be fun and at the end of the day, we should all just want the the Lions to draft good football players.
Detroit Lions lineman Penei Sewell earned the honor of tossing out the first pitch for the Detroit Tigers home opener
Last year brought plenty of reasons for celebration for the Detroit Lions. They clinched their first division title, made a formidable push in the playoffs, and secured numerous All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections. As the draft approaches, the Lions are poised to bolster their roster with key additions to complement an already robust core, aiming to silence any lingering doubts about the legitimacy of their previous season’s success and address any unfinished business.
One standout player who has captured the hearts of fans since being drafted by the Lions in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft is Penei Sewell, a cornerstone of the team’s resilience and formidable presence, which has elevated the Lions’ offensive line to among the league’s best. Despite being just 23 years old, Sewell serves as a vocal leader for the squad, rallying his teammates with his boundless energy and unwavering spirit.
Given his infectious attitude and uplifting demeanor, it was a natural choice when the Detroit Tigers invited Sewell to throw the first pitch at their home opener. With the Tigers off to a strong 5-1 start to the season, anticipation is high as they prepare to take on the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park. With Sewell in attendance, his presence is likely to inject an extra dose of energy not only into the players but also the fans, creating an electric atmosphere for the game.
Today's ceremonial 1st pitch is thrown by @Lions OT @peneisewell58! #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/sYFtdWnWuX
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) April 5, 2024
Perfect strike from Penei 🦁🐯 pic.twitter.com/s69T8TANHO
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 5, 2024
We have seen this before with the Detroit Red Wings, who brought Lions like Aidan Hutchinson, Ben Johnson, and Jameson Williams to ring in the game by setting off the goal horn. Each of them brought them luck as the Red Wings went on to win each of those games.
Will Sewell be able to bring in the same luck for the Tigers for the home opener? Just have to wait and see, but I’m sure the energy is electric for some afternoon baseball.
Why Jordan Mailata’s contract extension with the Eagles impacts Penei Sewell and the Lions
Everyone knows that the Lions and All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell will reach a contract extension in due time. It doesn’t have to happen this offseason, though it could; Sewell is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract, and the Lions can still exercise the fifth-year option on their prized right tackle if they so choose.
When the two sides do sit down to hammer out a new deal, one of the ways the value gets set is by comparable contracts. It’s akin to the housing market, basing value off similar homes that have recently sold. One of the deals that will certainly get used as a comp just happened on Thursday with the Philadelphia Eagles and left tackle Jordan Mailata.
The Eagles and Mailata agreed to a three-year, $66 million contract extension, with $48 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. It is loaded up with a $20 million signing bonus.
The $22 million per year average vaults Mailata into the top five highest-paid offensive linemen. Mailata is certainly a deserving talent, no doubt about it. However, he’s already 27 years old and has never made a Pro Bowl, let alone an All-Pro team, in his four NFL seasons.
Sewell is still just 23 years old and has already earned first-team All-Pro and two Pro Bowl berths in his three seasons in Detroit. He can rightly claim that he deserves more than Mailata in any extension talks. The $22 million per season with 72 percent fully guaranteed figures to be well below the new base floor for any Sewell extension.
It’s the percentage that is guaranteed that is more significant for Sewell and the Lions. At 72 percent, that blows away the 57 percent that Giants LT Andrew Thomas got on his $117.5 million deal he signed in 2023. That’s the current top contract for tackles in total value. Mailata’s deal more closely resembles what Laremy Tunsil signed with the Texans in 2023:
3 years, $75 million, $60 million guaranteed (80 percent)
What makes Mailata’s deal important for Sewell is the precedent of the larger percentage of guaranteed money. Other recent high-end offensive tackle drills have not had anything close to that level of guaranteed value. Jack Conklin got just 21 percent of his $60 million deal in 2022, while Jake Matthews received 48 percent guaranteed on his three-year, $55 million deal that same year. The Chiefs guaranteed half of Jawaan Taylor’s four-year, $80 million contract last offseason. None of those players are at Sewell’s level.
It would be difficult for the Lions to approach Sewell with anything less than 75 percent fully guaranteed on whatever the final value of the deal might be. The higher the guaranteed value, the larger the cap hit will be–even if the Lions do their customary void year additions to the actual deal.
Decker is hitting the final year of his contract and he wants to keep rolling in Detroit
The 2016 NFL Draft was the first under a new regime in Bob Quinn. While his tenure with the team is deemed forgettable, he does have some memories to leave behind for Lions fans and the team. One of the lasting pieces he has on this team is Taylor Decker who has proven to be a top-tier left tackle but has a contract that is set to expire next year.
When speaking with MLive, Taylor Decker made his intentions clear. “I definitely want to end my career here, I would say ultimately, for me, this is where I want to be.”
His age and cost make for an interesting decision for Brad Holmes this offseason and into the new season. He will be 31 this August and Spottrac is projecting a boastful contract extension for an aging tackle. The projection for Decker is to be worth $42.3 million on a 3-year extension. That would give him an average annual salary of $14.1 million which would make him in the bottom third of tackle salaries.
Decker may ask for more and for a team about to pay out extensions to several key players over the next year or two like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell. Every dollar is going to count for this team and they have shown they can manage the salary cap well.
“Of course you want money, but for me, I like being here. I love being here, ultimately, do I want to be here forever? One-hundred percent. So, we’ll see.”
Whether this happens is up to Deckers, his agent, and Holmes.
Sewell made it clear he doesn’t agree with any criticism directed at Dan Campbell
Over the past few days, Lions head coach Dan Campbell has taken a lot of criticism over how he handled some decisions in Detroit’s NFC Championship Game loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It’s still a talking point in many places; I did a radio guest spot in Texas late in the week, and two of the first three questions revolved around Campbell’s “mistakes.”
The Lions players see things quite differently. One of the team’s top talents, right tackle Penei Sewell, clearly takes offense to anyone questioning Campbell.
“I don’t agree with any criticism towards Coach. I’ve got his back until the end,” Sewell said to ESPN during Pro Bowl weekend in Florida.
The All-Pro right tackle wasn’t done praising and respecting Campbell.
“If he tells me to jump off a cliff with him, I’m right next to him,” Sewell continued. “I’m so serious. So whatever he says, whatever he calls, we’ve just got to execute. So, that’s on us really. That’s my guy.”
Campbell did acknowledge regretting the late run call in the red zone that cost the Lions a critical timeout. Beyond that, the popular head coach hasn’t shown any faltering in his decision-making process. His players don’t have a problem with it, either.
The Detroit Lions got a huge bit of great news when OC Ben Johnson decided to stay put. That’s bad news for the rest of the NFL.
The Detroit Lions, who saw their 2023 season end in heartbreaking fashion with a 34-31 divisional round loss to the San Francisco 49ers in which they led 24+7 at the end of the first half, got some very good news to cool that particular burn.
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who has been of serious interest as a head coach for multiple NFL teams over the last two seasons, is staying put.
#Lions OC Ben Johnson informed the #Seahawks and #Commanders that he’s staying in Detroit, per sources.
Johnson is still only 37 and will be a hot head coaching candidate again next year. But first, he wants to take another shot at bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Detroit. pic.twitter.com/lPg2Po33sx
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 30, 2024
In 2023, the Lions ranked fifth in the NFL in Offensive DVOA (seventh passing, fourth rushing), up from seventh overall in 2022, and 29th in 2021. Johnson took over in 2022, so that tells you a lot.
Under Johnson in 2023, quarterback Jared Goff had his best season to date, completing 484 of 786 passes for a league-high 5,411 yards, 34 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a passer rating of 98.7. Running backs David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 2,287 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns on 469 carries. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta caught 107 passes on 147 targets for 1,065 yards and 11 touchdowns, and the receiver corps of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, and the two backs as pass-catchers were as dynamic as any group in the league at times.
Factor in an offensive line that may have the NFL’s best right tackle in Penei Sewell and the NFL’s best center in Frank Ragnow, and it’s easy to see why Johnson wanted to come back for one more season and maybe win a Super Bowl this time around.
The Lions’ offense has been a fascinating study all season long, and here are some of the hallmarks that Johnson and his guys can expand on when next season comes around.
Breaking down the best and worst PFF grades from Lions appearance in NFC Championship game
PFF grades are coming to an end for the 2023 season as the Lions were not able to complete their magical run. They blew a 17-point lead to the San Frcnisco 49ers and are now in position of the 29th pick in the draft. Meanwhile, he 49ers are packing their bags for Las Vegas to faceoff against the Chiefs.
A Chiefs team that these same Lions beat in week one, can’t forget that one.
As for the PFF grades, this Lions team played well and fought to the very last second. Some played and showed up much better than others, these grades will make it easy to find those players.
Here are the PFF grades from the Lions NFC Championship appearance.
Let’s take a look at the best and worst PFF graded players for the Detroit Lions in their victorious encounter with the Buccaneers.
Following their triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Detroit Lions are now on the cusp of glory, eyeing the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers.
The victory was the result of a collective effort from all three phases, reflecting the Lions’ characteristic resilience in close matches. This team is built to adapt, with each phase compensating when one aspect takes a moment to find its rhythm. While key players delivered outstanding performances that propelled the Lions to victory, there were also areas where improvement is needed as they prepare to face San Francisco.
Let’s take a look at the best and worst PFF graded players for the Lions in their victorious encounter with the Buccaneers.
