Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell wants to get bigger and stronger. That should be scary for defensive linemen everywhere.
It’s hard to imagine that two-time All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell has much room to improve after four years in the NFL. But at just 24 years old, the Detroit Lions offensive lineman isn’t the type to rest on his laurels.
This offseason, Sewell has taken on a goal of getting ever stronger than before.
“Personally, I wanted to get strong, definitely at the point of attack, both run game and pass game,” Sewell said. “Yeah, I just wanted to be more sturdy, while maintaining my conditioning because we get to run more than others at the position. That’s the main thing going it, I just wanted to get bigger and stronger, while maintaining my speed and conditioning.”
Sewell has earned a reputation across the NFL as one of the more lethal combinations of strength and speed among NFL tackles. It’s made him an absolute weapon in the run game, and he’s been nearly as dependable as pass protector. So how does he take his game to the next level. Sewell said it’s nothing special, it’s just putting in the work with the Lions’ strength and conditioning staff.
“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. I’m always trying to up the weight. Obviously, you’ve got to be smart with it. There’s also some risk going into lifting those types of weights, but I just lean on the guys here, the strength staff, and they do a great job. It’s just moving those heavy weights fast.”
Last year, Sewell was listed at 6-foot-5, 335 pounds. We’ll have to wait and see when the Lions take the field this upcoming week for OTAs if it looks like he’s playing bigger and stronger.