Having dominant skill players is one of the most defining advantages in the NFL, but they become nearly meaningless if the quarterback doesn’t have time to get them the ball, or the offensive line can’t properly run-block for them. That hasn’t been an issue for the Detroit Lions since they selected Penei Sewell seventh overall in the 2021 draft. While he was voted the top offensive tackle in pro football via an ESPN survey, one NFL coordinator didn’t hold back his criticism.
What Did the Coordinator Say About Penei Sewell’s Play?
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported an anonymous coordinator’s comments about Sewell, who said, “He’s got short arms, and he doesn’t win a lot in pass protection against real guys, just like everyone else. But they pretend like he doesn’t [struggle].”
He isn’t wrong about Sewell’s arm length, as the widely viewed minimum is seen as 33 inches. Sewell measures in at 33 1/4.
Arm length is one of the top metrics for an offensive tackle, as longer arms keep speedier, more elusive defenders at bay without having to meet them at the point of attack, allowing tackles to retain their balance throughout the play.
Despite not having an ideal arm length like Andrew Thomas or Dion Dawkins, who measure 36 1/8 and 35 inches, respectively, Sewell gave up only two sacks and six quarterback hits in the 2025 regular season.
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He helped anchor a Detroit offensive line that ranked fourth in the league according to PFN’s Offensive Line Impact Metric, with an impact score of 85.1.
Speaking on Sewell’s mental game, one anonymous NFL executive said, “He has the most ‘(expletive) you’ attitude plays in the league. (He) always brings the juice.”
That nasty, commanding mentality he plays with not only gives him an edge but also motivates the entire unit.
He’ll be taking on a bigger leadership role this season, as bookend left tackle Taylor Decker was released earlier this offseason. With this, Sewell is being asked to take over blindside protection duties, while veteran Larry Borom and Blaker Miller, the 17th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, battle for Sewell’s old spot on the right side.
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With a potential rookie starting on the right side and a new starting center in Cade Mays, it’ll be on Sewell to provide the leadership and support to keep the Lions’ offensive line rolling.
If he can, expect a bounce-back season for Detroit and elite play from running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who looks to have the backfield largely to himself in 2026.
