**Brother of Former Lions Offensive Lineman Believes Penei Sewell Isn’t Good Enough to Get the Accolades and Praise He Gets**
In the world of professional football, offensive linemen often toil in relative obscurity, their contributions overshadowed by the flashier performances of quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. But when an offensive tackle like Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions emerges as one of the most dominant players at his position, the praise is usually well-deserved. Sewell, the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has quickly established himself as one of the premier linemen in the league, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors while becoming a cornerstone of the Lions’ resurgent offense. However, not everyone is convinced that the accolades he receives are justified.
In a surprising and controversial take, the brother of a former Detroit Lions offensive lineman has publicly stated that he believes Sewell is overrated and doesn’t deserve the level of acclaim he has garnered. Speaking anonymously to avoid direct backlash, the brother—who has ties to the Lions organization through his sibling’s past tenure with the team—argued that Sewell’s reputation exceeds his actual performance.
“Don’t get me wrong, Sewell is a good player,” the source said. “But the way people talk about him, you’d think he’s the second coming of Joe Thomas or Orlando Pace. He’s not there yet. He’s got flaws in his game that people ignore because he’s young and plays with a lot of energy.”
This criticism comes at a time when Sewell is widely regarded as one of the best young tackles in football. Since entering the league, he has been a model of consistency, showcasing rare athleticism for his size, elite strength in the run game, and steady improvement in pass protection. His ability to neutralize some of the NFL’s top edge rushers has made him indispensable to Detroit’s offensive success, helping quarterback Jared Goff operate with greater confidence and opening lanes for the Lions’ dynamic rushing attack.
So, where does this skepticism come from? According to the brother of the former Lions lineman, much of Sewell’s hype is built on potential rather than proven dominance. “People see the highlights—the big blocks, the pancakes—but they don’t see the plays where he gets beat or the times he relies too much on his athleticism instead of technique,” he argued. “There are moments where he looks unbeatable, but there are also stretches where he’s just average. The greats don’t have those lapses.”
This perspective, while provocative, raises an interesting question: Is Penei Sewell truly an elite tackle already, or is he still a work in progress benefiting from a strong supporting cast and a favorable system?
To evaluate this claim, we must first examine Sewell’s actual performance. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Sewell has been one of the highest-graded offensive tackles in the league since his rookie season. In 2023, he allowed just two sacks and committed only four penalties despite playing nearly every offensive snap for the Lions. His run-blocking grade ranked among the best at his position, and his ability to pull and block in space has been a key component of Detroit’s offensive scheme.
Moreover, Sewell’s impact goes beyond statistics. His presence on the field changes how defenses approach the Lions. Opposing edge rushers often have to alter their game plans when facing him, and his versatility—having played both left and right tackle at a high level—gives Detroit flexibility in how they structure their offensive line.
Yet, the critic insists that Sewell’s reputation is inflated by narrative. “The Lions are a feel-good story right now,” he said. “They’ve turned things around, and Sewell is a big part of that. But let’s not pretend he’s flawless. I’ve seen him struggle against speed rushers, and he’s had games where he’s been just okay. The media loves to crown players early, but real greatness is sustained over years.”
There is some truth to the idea that young players can be overhyped before they’ve fully proven themselves. The NFL has seen plenty of early standouts who failed to maintain their elite status over time. However, Sewell’s trajectory suggests he is more than just a flash in the pan. His year-over-year improvement, combined with his durability and leadership, indicates that he is on a path toward becoming one of the all-time greats at his position.
Another factor to consider is the inherent bias that may come from the critic’s connection to a former Lions lineman. Could there be lingering resentment or a sense of loyalty to his brother’s legacy that colors his opinion? The former Lions lineman in question had a solid but unspectacular career, never reaching the heights that Sewell has in just three seasons. It’s possible that this critique stems from a place of personal comparison rather than objective analysis.
Additionally, offensive line play is notoriously difficult to evaluate for those outside the game. Casual fans—and even some analysts—often miss the nuances of line play, focusing only on the most visible mistakes or highlight-reel blocks. Sewell’s consistency in both pass protection and run blocking is rare for a player his age, and his football IQ has been praised by coaches and teammates alike.
Still, the criticism serves as a reminder that no player is beyond scrutiny, no matter how highly regarded. Even the best have areas to improve, and Sewell is no exception. If there’s one fair critique, it’s that he occasionally relies too much on his raw power rather than refined technique, which can lead to inconsistencies against elite competition. However, at just 23 years old, Sewell has plenty of time to refine his game further.
Ultimately, the debate over Penei Sewell’s standing in the NFL highlights the subjective nature of player evaluation. While advanced metrics, accolades, and on-field performance suggest he is among the best at his position, dissenting opinions—even from those with insider perspectives—can spark meaningful discussion about what truly defines greatness in the trenches.
For now, the Lions and their fans have every reason to believe they have a franchise cornerstone in Sewell. Whether he reaches the legendary status of players like Joe Thomas or Jonathan Ogden remains to be seen, but his current trajectory suggests he’s well on his way. And as for the criticism from the brother of a former Lions lineman? It may just be a footnote in what promises to be a storied career.
