I want to get this out of the way from the jump—Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell is the best offensive lineman in the NFL. Am I a bit biased? No doubt. Are there people that disagree with that assessment? Of course, but there are also plenty that would agree.
And for the second year in a row, Sewell was named First Team All-Pro by the Associated Press. The 24-year-old offensive tackle is in such rarified air that since the merger, he joins Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz as the only offensive tackles ever to make first team All-Pro twice before turning 25 years old.
So, it surprises me a bit that we are sitting here talking about a perceived slight from Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson, but here we are. After being named second-team All-Pro behind Sewell at right tackle, the 34-year-old obviously didn’t agree with the voting, and made it obvious by hanging a piece of paper in his locker with some randomly-assembled stats to make it look as if he was wronged.
Note: Jeff McLane confirmed this was Johnson’s doing.
No context, no links to where these numbers came from—just a table printed out in a nearby office and stuck to the wall using four pieces of what looks like some athletic tape.
To be clear here, Lane Johnson is an elite player, and this isn’t an effort to diminish what he accomplished this year in Philadelphia. He has been one of the best tackles of this generation, and should be a first ballot Hall of Famer when that day comes.
With that said, the way All-Pro voting works it is almost like that spot is held until someone can dethrone them. Sewell won’t even turn 25 until October of this year, so it isn’t crazy to think about him going on an Anthony Munoz-like run where the former Cincinnati Bengal was named to nine First Team All-Pros.
In general, I think the discussion is summed up best by our own Jeremy Reisman.
In all seriousness, this is why I generally hate awards, GOAT discussions, and things of that nature. Lane Johnson and Penei Sewell are both fantastic players deserving of endless praise. There is no point in comparing them or tearing one down over the ther.
— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) January 10, 2025
Both are amazing players on two of the best teams in football, and completely dismissing one or the other is disingenuous.
And now, onto the rest of today’s notes:
Lions quarterback Jared Goff and his wife, Christen, are looking to help those who have been affected by the fires sprawling across southern California.
So many bright spots this season for the Lions, including the play of quarterback Jared Goff, who is having one of his best seasons as a pro.
A fun and insightful thread from our good friend Kent Lee Platte.
I’d say it is going pretty, pretty good.
For several reasons, this is such a cool picture.
The Lions’ playoff bus continues its journey around the state of Michigan.
Several Lions were in attendance for the Detroit Pistons game against the Golden State Warriors the other night.
An update from, “The Insiders,” on NFL Gameday on the interviews taking place across the NFL, including Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
