DETROIT — The manner the Lions ended the 2023 season does not sit properly with Penei Sewell.
So a lot so, that this offseason the Lions All-Pro offensive deal with estimates he replayed Detroit’s heartbreaking loss to the San Francisco 49ers — a recreation during which the Lions blew a 17-point halftime result in fall a recreation shy of the franchise’s first Super Bowl — at the very least 10 occasions.
Taken seventh within the 2021 NFL draft out of Oregon, Sewell, 24, has blossomed right into a foundational participant for a 15-2 Lions crew that set a franchise mark for victories in a daily season — a byproduct, he says, of final season’s playoff shortcoming — and earned its first 1-seed.
Sewell has established himself as one of many crew’s leaders on and off the sector and was named a crew captain, thanks partially to his impassioned pregame speeches and ferocious model of play.
Sewell has performed 1,115 offensive snaps this season, which ties him with Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio for essentially the most amongst all offensive linemen. Despite the variety of performs, his 5 sacks allowed is tied with guard Kevin Zeitler for the second fewest amongst Lions offensive linemen.
Amid heightened expectations in 2024, Sewell says he and his teammates are locked in on serving to the group to the final word purpose — a Super Bowl title.
In an unique interview, Sewell opened up about final season’s heartbreak, the way it affected the crew and the way the Lions are approaching this yr’s quest for redemption within the playoffs, which begins Saturday night time towards the Washington Commanders within the NFC divisional spherical at Ford Field (8 p.m. ET, Fox).
What was your mindset after dropping the 2023 NFC title recreation to San Francisco?
It’s on. Simple as that.
Honestly, I’ve rewatched that 2023 NFC Championship Game loads. I let it burn. Just due to how shut we have been.
It was consistently on my thoughts. It was a type of issues that I simply could not shake. Every time [my] children went down for a nap, I used to be similar to, “I’ve acquired to observe it to see what occurred.” And then each time I simply had free time; I could not cease interested by it.
In the offseason, I’ve acquired a lot extra time. So as soon as I’m with my children, Malakai and Mila, I’m invested in them, however it’s laborious to be invested as soon as they go to mattress or are taking their nap, so simply consistently interested by it and the way I felt, how we felt as a crew, how the vibe was within the locker room.
I used to be lucky to have the iPad all through the offseason and I might simply watch that or the TV copy, too. Sometimes, I like to observe the TV model as a result of you possibly can type of really feel the feelings via the followers’ perspective and the way they see the sport, so I used to be sitting there as a fan and as a participant, going via it of how shut we have been.
I felt all of the feelings going via my physique after that loss to San Francisco, however on the finish of the day, I simply channeled it into motivation.
What was your mindset getting into the 2024 season?
When I stated these phrases “it is on,” I simply knew what it seemed like coming again after which doing it yet again, however this time going to the highest with it. So, all through the entire offseason, I used to be additional motivated, and I simply needed to come back out this yr and show that I do know what we’re able to as a crew and I do know what I’m able to as a person.
As a crew, throughout the 49ers’ loss, it was extra psychological than bodily to be sincere. In a recreation of that magnitude, there’s quite a lot of feelings, waves and momentum. You cannot fall into that entice. You’ve simply acquired to be the identical man, the identical heartbeat and simply hold your head. Don’t fall into these feelings that occur within the recreation and simply hold going. Whatever’s taking place, it is simply the following play.
Entering this season, I had conversations with O-linemen, in addition to guys on each the offensive and defensive sides of the ball to select their brains of how they felt about it, what they have been doing within the offseason and simply extra so for the rookies and new guys that have been coming in. … Understanding that the second we strap up our chin straps and we’re about to take the sector, it is ours now. Whatever occurred prior to now, it’s what it’s, we have got to make a press release now.
When did you notice this crew could possibly be particular?
To be sincere, actually from the primary week of camp, you can inform that offensively we have been all extra comfy with the playbook. We weren’t pondering an excessive amount of on the market after which we have been all nearer. Our relationships acquired stronger with guys that have been new final yr like David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and all of the rookies and newcomers that got here in. Now, we’re actually a brotherhood and on the defensive aspect of the ball, they have been all turned up.
Why was getting the highest seed so vital?
We set a purpose at the start of the season to develop into the No. 1 seed and we seemed again into final yr is what we did. You all the time need to take that subsequent step and that subsequent degree, so the following one was to win the NFC North division once more and get the No. 1 seed.
Coach Dan Campbell preached it all through camp about how vital that was for us and on the finish of the day, no matter that man says, we will do it. So, we simply knew that all through this season we needed to win to set us up for achievement as a lot as doable and it was getting that prime seed.
Why was it vital to assist Coach Campbell after the 2023 NFC title recreation amid criticism for his fourth-down calls?
At the top of the day, coaches and gamers, we’re all in the identical boat. No one’s increased than the opposite. No one’s on completely different ranges. We’re all on the identical web page with the identical obligations, so when Coach Campbell makes a few of these fourth-down calls, on the finish of the day, he is not on the market with us. Us gamers, we have got to make issues occur. That’s why we’re right here. So, for him to maintain doing that’s simply one of many issues that we’ve to take accountability for throughout the board.
After being named All-Pro for a second time, have you ever given your self time to replicate on the success?
Even with all of the success, to be sincere, I have not performed quite a lot of reflecting on the season that we have had. I’m locked in. We’re attempting to go all the best way. Once that occurs, I’ll sit again. Going into the season, I wasn’t actually targeted on accolades in any respect similar to All-Pro. I would like that Super Bowl dangerous. So, it is positively an honor and I’m actually blessed, however I’ve acquired my thoughts targeted on one factor.
Can you see the Lions successful a Super Bowl?
I can positively see a Super Bowl. I noticed it from the second in camp. And it is simply envisioning what it appears to be like like now and seeing it come into fruition in how we execute issues and the way the sport plan is all through the week. It begins from the start of the week, we all know that as a crew, in coming in and placing within the work and go do what we do on recreation days. At the top of the day, when Coach Campbell begins to put out that image, I’m proper with him.
How did you stability having day off with the first-round bye and nonetheless being prepared for motion?
I’m not going to lie, after incomes the No. 1 seed and getting the first-round bye, in these first two days, I simply gave all of it to my household. I used to be simply chilling at residence after which it switched like, “All proper, now we’re simply getting somewhat too comfy. We’ve acquired to go do one thing.”
After that, we went exterior, got here again with the children to go sledding or one thing, then got here again to the ability to get a exercise in or two after which go residence and watch some extra movie. It was bizarre to have that point off at this level of the yr, however it was good, although. It was one thing that we’re all new to. It was humorous as a result of my teammate Christian Mahogany was like, “So what does the bye week appear like? We acquired the entire week off or one thing?” and I used to be like, “Bro, I do not know. I’m in the identical boat with you. This is my first time.”
We wanted that relaxation. Especially with us having an early bye this yr. Having that first week off for the playoffs positively helped. We had quite a lot of accidents, so it simply gave us a while for these guys to come back again recent, not solely bodily however mentally.
With the Lions having home-field benefit, something you wish to say to the followers in Detroit?
Lastly, for the followers in Detroit who might be on the playoff video games at Ford Field, simply be your self. Be Detroit. If you discuss, discuss. If you are simply rowdy, be rowdy. At the top of the day, that is all I would like. I would like everybody to come back out and have enjoyable. Be themselves. Don’t be shy. Go loopy. It’s going to be a very good one. We’re going to place town of Detroit on our shoulders!
There’s quite a lot of satisfaction on this metropolis. Even again after we have been dropping and now that we’re successful, you are deserving of it. We simply attempt to embody what you are about and go in every recreation with Detroit on our shoulders.
