Countdown to Kickoff: Trevor Penning is the Saints Player of Day 70

The wait is down to 70 days before the New Orleans Saints open the 2025 regular season with a home game against the Arizona Cardinals. Entering their 59th NFL season, the Saints have a new head coach in Kellen Moore as they try to improve on their 5-12 record from last year. Wearing number 70 for the Saints is offensive lineman Trevor Penning, entering his fourth year with the team. A Round 1 choice in 2022, Penning is also looking to jump-start his career at a new position. He is our Saints Player of the Day.

At Newman Catholic High School in Iowa, Penning was a three-sport star in football, basketball, as well as the shot put and discus on the track team. His collegiate choice was FCS Northern Iowa, where he'd redshirt as a freshman. Once into his sophomore year, Penning would start every game for the Panthers over their next two years. In 2021, he was a 1st Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection and a finalist for the Walter Payton Award as the top FCS-level player.

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Penning was selected with the 19th overall pick by the Saints in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was the fourth tackle drafted and one of nine offensive linemen chosen in Round 1. Penning's rookie development was stunted by a foot injury suffered during preseason. The injury kept him sidelined for his first 11 games. Upon his return, he'd see light action as a sixth lineman until getting his first career start in the 2022 season finale.

Going into the 2023 season, Penning was the Saints starting left tackle. He struggled mightily despite playing every snap in the first five games, especially so in pass protection. Penning was benched for poor performance in Week 6, and would only play a combined 13 offensive snaps over the last 11 games of the year. After New Orleans used a first round choice on Taliese Fuaga in the 2024 draft, Penning was moved to right tackle. He still had struggles, particularly as a pass blocker, but performed better while playing nearly every offensive snap in all 17 games.

The Saints elected not to pick up Penning's fifth-year option this offseason. Additionally, New Orleans spent another Round 1 pick at tackle with the selection of Kelvin Banks Jr. out of Texas. Banks is expected to play left tackle, with Fuaga moving to his collegiate position of right tackle. As a result, Penning is projected to be the starter at left guard for New Orleans. It's the third position change in as many years for Penning, but also one that may suit his physical attributes. Trevor Penning could be a natural fit inside. His ability to adapt quickly to the new spot likely determines whether his career will continue with the Saints beyond this year.