The Detroit Lions‘ offensive line took a step back in 2025 and faces real questions this offseason, though the stalwart of the unit unquestionably remains superstar right tackle Penei Sewell.
Sewell, a fifth-year starter out of Oregon (No. 7 overall pick in 2021), is a four-time Pro Bowler (2022-25). He has also earned first-team All-Pro honors in each of the past three years and nearly cracked the top-10 in Offensive Player of the Year voting in 2024, finishing 11th, which is all but unheard of for an offensive lineman.
He ranked first among all tackles (89 qualifying), regardless of left- or right-side configuration, in overall player ranking via Pro Football Focus’s metrics-based rating system, finishing the year with an overall player grade of 95.2.
Sewell, just 25 years old, topped it off on Thursday, January 29, via an announcement from the NFL that he is finalist for the league’s first-ever Protector of the Year Award.
“Announcing the finalists for the inaugural Protector of the Year Award,” the league wrote on its official X account. “The award recognizes the NFL’s most outstanding lineman over a single season, chosen by an elite committee of NFL Legends.”
Joining Sewell on the list of finalists are tackle Garrett Boles of the Denver Broncos, guards Joe Thuney of the Chicago Bears and Quinn Meinerz of the Broncos, and centers Aaron Brewer of the Miami Dolphins and Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lions Lost 2 Starters Ahead of 2025 Season, Saw Left Tackle Taylor Decker Take Big Step Back
GettyLeft tackle Taylor Decker of the Detroit Lions.
The Lions fielded the No. 4 offensive line in the league in 2024 based on PFF’s grading system.
However, the departure of right guard Kevin Zeitler to the Tennessee Titans and the retirement of center Frank Ragnow took their toll, as did a meaningful step back in performance from left tackle Taylor Decker who went from a Pro Bowler two years ago to PFF’s No. 41-ranked tackle last season.
Ragnow tried to come out of retirement and return to the team late in the season, but a grade-three hamstring strain that his physical revealed halted the comeback in its tracks. Meanwhile, Decker has publicly contemplated retirement and is likely a cut candidate in Detroit if he decides not to leave the league of his own accord.
Right Side of Lions’ Offensive Line Remains Promising Heading Into Next Season
GettyLions’ rookie offensive lineman Tate Ratledge.
The Lions’ losses on the line year-over-year, not to mention injury concerns, led the unit to drop from the league’s fourth-best in 2024 to the No. 12 spot last regular season.
“The revamped Lions offensive line failed to meet expectations in 2025,” PFF’s Zoltán Buday wrote on January 7. “With new starters at all three interior positions, Detroit’s unit was unable to replicate the successes of recent seasons. Injuries also created roadblocks, as 13 different linemen logged at least 10 snaps for the Lions.”
That said, the right side of the line was more than solid, as Sewell missed just one game (only the second absence of his career) and Detroit’s newcomer at right guard showed up in a big way.
“Tate Ratledge was a bright spot on the Lions’ offensive line, especially in run blocking,” Buday continued. “His 73.5 PFF run-blocking grade ranked 12th among all guards and ranked second among rookie guards.”
Sewell is under contract with the Lions through 2029 on a four-year extension worth $112 million.
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