Dan Campbell suggests more Penei Sewell trick-play usage in 2026 after past end-around and “throw” attempts

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell indicated he expects the team to keep leaning into trick-play creativity built around offensive tackle Penei Sewell, at least as a concept for 2026. In an offseason conversation, Campbell hinted that more plays of that type could be on the way, turning a roster feature into a game-design advantage rather than treating Sewell’s involvement as a one-off novelty.

The Lions have already shown two notable, publicly remembered examples of trick plays involving Sewell. The first came in a 2022 game against the Minnesota Vikings, when Sewell was lined up as a tight end for the sequence and ended up making an athletic, game-clinching catch. That play stood out not just because Sewell made a difficult catch, but because it demonstrated the Lions’ comfort putting a 300-pound tackle into a receiving role and asking him to execute under pressure.

A second example referenced in connection with Campbell’s comments came later, in 2024 against the Chicago Bears. Detroit attempted to get Sewell into a throwing idea, though the result was less successful. The attempt was recorded as a sack, but the play also included an impressive stiff-arm from Sewell, a detail that underlined his physicality even when the trick did not reach its intended finish.

What Campbell is indicating, then, is not simply that the Lions like creativity, but that they may be willing to build new wrinkles around an existing skill set and physical profile. In the NFL, trick plays often carry risk because they depend on timing, spacing, and defenders reacting in a specific way. That is why teams usually reserve this kind of design for moments when they believe the matchup, formation look, and player availability all align.

There is also a roster-building subtext. Using a player like Sewell in disguised or non-traditional roles can put stress on defenses, because it expands how those defenses must think about personnel on a single snap. Even if a trick play fails to score, the formation and motion can create hesitation, influence leverage decisions, or force defensive adjustments that affect other parts of the offense. The Lions have previously leaned into these “show something, do something else” principles, and Sewell’s size and athleticism offer a rare combination for executing them.

Still, the record of trick plays is mixed by nature. The Lions’ best-known Sewell trick in the provided account is the 2022 catch that functioned as a clincher. The later 2024 attempt did not produce the desired throwing outcome, even if it still showcased dominance after the contact point. The implication is that 2026 could bring both refinements and attempts at similar concepts that fit how opponents learn and respond.

For fans and analysts, the next question is what kind of trick design the Lions will prioritize around Sewell in 2026. Will Detroit keep using him as a receiver in disguised formations, or will it continue to build around the concept of turning the tackle into a threat beyond standard blocking? The answer will likely show up as training-camp creativity and preseason looks first, followed by whether those ideas prove reliable enough to earn real snaps in high-stakes regular-season situations.