Lions lock up offensive tackle Penei Sewell with long-term extension

Hours after agreeing to a long-term extension with All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Detroit Lions locked up another cornerstone from the team’s 2021 draft class, coming to terms on a four-year extension with offensive tackle Penei Sewell, a source close to the negotiations confirmed to The Detroit News.

The pact is worth up to $112 million with $85 million in guarantees. That would make the 23-year-old Sewell the highest-paid player at his position, by annual average value, easily topping the $25 million per year package signed by Houston Texans offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil last offseason.

Sewell, the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft, was the first selection of general manager Brad Holmes’ tenure. Despite starting just one year at Oregon, and opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, Sewell had minimal issues making an immediate impact as a rookie.

Initially starting that year as a left tackle while blindside blocker Taylor Decker recovered from a broken finger, Sewell has since settled in at right tackle, a position he hadn’t played before coming to Detroit.

Sewell has shown steady improvement each of his three seasons, and was graded as the league’s best offensive tackle by Pro Football Focus last season, earning career-high marks as both a run blocker and pass protector. In 2023, he allowed just 20 quarterback pressures and a single sack. For his early-career dominance, he’s twice been named to the Pro Bowl and was selected as a first-team All-Pro last season.

Despite his young age, Sewell also has rapidly emerged as a leader on Detroit’s roster. He was selected by his teammates as a captain last year and routinely breaks down with pre-game huddle with fiery speeches.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers