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Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell wants to be more physically imposing on the field in 2025.
It's a tall order for the two-time first-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman entering his fifth NFL season, but he has his goals set on becoming more of a force of nature on the right side of the line.
"Personally, I wanted to get stronger," Sewell said on May 22 at the Lions' practice facility in Allen Park. "Definitely at the point of the attack, both run game and pass game. I just wanted to be more sturdy while maintaining my conditioning because I do get to run more than others at the position.
"So, that's the main thing going into it. I just wanted to get bigger and stronger while maintaining my speed and conditioning."
HUTCH RETURNS: Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson fully cleared from injury, motivated to reach 'greater heights'
The 24-year-old right tackle was arguably the biggest asset on the highest-scoring offense in the NFL, helping the Lions to a 15-2 record in the regular season. The Lions often ran right into the alleys created by Sewell on the edge of the line, while he only allowed one sack across 1,144 offensive snaps played, according to Pro Football Focus.
Sewell joined Hall-of-Famer Anthony Muñoz as the only offensive linemen since the NFL merger to have two appearances on the first-team All-Pro team before turning 25.
He stayed in Michigan during the offseason and has been working out at the Lions' facility in Allen Park. Sewell has been following the simple yet effective tenets of weightlifting to add power to his frame, which was listed by the team at 6-feet-5 and 335 pounds during the 2024 season.
"I just stayed here in Michigan working out with the strength staff," Sewell said. "At the end of the day, it's just moving big weight fast. Always trying to up the weight. Obviously, you've got to be smart with it."
Sewell said his focus on the offseason has been on his day-to-day activities trying to improve rather than zooming out and re-hashing how the 2024 season came to an end in the first game of the NFL playoffs. The offense "hasn't missed a beat" in offseason workouts with new offensive coordinator John Morton, while Sewell himself is embracing more of a leadership role entering his fifth season with Detroit.
"A lot more comfortable, to be honest," Sewell said. "Each year I kind of have under my belt, that confidence just gets increased, comfortability gets increased. And I think now that leadership role starts to take another step. And not only what my words carry, but my actions. And I think that's the most important thing."
Jared Ramsey covers high school sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jramsey@freepress.com; Follow Jared on X or Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions All-Pro RT Penei Sewell wants to improve strength in 2025
Continue reading...
It's a tall order for the two-time first-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman entering his fifth NFL season, but he has his goals set on becoming more of a force of nature on the right side of the line.
"Personally, I wanted to get stronger," Sewell said on May 22 at the Lions' practice facility in Allen Park. "Definitely at the point of the attack, both run game and pass game. I just wanted to be more sturdy while maintaining my conditioning because I do get to run more than others at the position.
"So, that's the main thing going into it. I just wanted to get bigger and stronger while maintaining my speed and conditioning."
HUTCH RETURNS: Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson fully cleared from injury, motivated to reach 'greater heights'
The 24-year-old right tackle was arguably the biggest asset on the highest-scoring offense in the NFL, helping the Lions to a 15-2 record in the regular season. The Lions often ran right into the alleys created by Sewell on the edge of the line, while he only allowed one sack across 1,144 offensive snaps played, according to Pro Football Focus.
Sewell joined Hall-of-Famer Anthony Muñoz as the only offensive linemen since the NFL merger to have two appearances on the first-team All-Pro team before turning 25.
He stayed in Michigan during the offseason and has been working out at the Lions' facility in Allen Park. Sewell has been following the simple yet effective tenets of weightlifting to add power to his frame, which was listed by the team at 6-feet-5 and 335 pounds during the 2024 season.
"I just stayed here in Michigan working out with the strength staff," Sewell said. "At the end of the day, it's just moving big weight fast. Always trying to up the weight. Obviously, you've got to be smart with it."
Sewell said his focus on the offseason has been on his day-to-day activities trying to improve rather than zooming out and re-hashing how the 2024 season came to an end in the first game of the NFL playoffs. The offense "hasn't missed a beat" in offseason workouts with new offensive coordinator John Morton, while Sewell himself is embracing more of a leadership role entering his fifth season with Detroit.
"A lot more comfortable, to be honest," Sewell said. "Each year I kind of have under my belt, that confidence just gets increased, comfortability gets increased. And I think now that leadership role starts to take another step. And not only what my words carry, but my actions. And I think that's the most important thing."
Jared Ramsey covers high school sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jramsey@freepress.com; Follow Jared on X or Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions All-Pro RT Penei Sewell wants to improve strength in 2025
Continue reading...