Saints may need to cut losses with Trevor Penning after terrible preseason debut

The New Orleans Saints traded up in the 2022 NFL Draft to select Northern Iowa tackle Trevor Penning with the thought he could either succeed Ryan Ramczyk at right tackle or eventually become the left tackle of the future. They did this despite some serious red flags.

Despite the fact he came from a small FCS school in Northern Iowa and many of the viral clips of him mauling defenders showcased poor technique, the Saints took a gamble on traits and decided to run with him. As he begins his third season, success is becoming harder to come by for Penning.

While the Saints did defeat the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason opener, the game was a 16-14 slobber knocker that didn't leave many fans thrilled with the overall performance. Penning was singled out after allowing multiple pressures, often in a fashion that belies someone who built his whole brand on aggression and strength.

Penning was knocked on his rear end by Jesse Luketa in this game and was almost pushed back into Derek Carr by a much smaller rusher. After defensive end Tyreke Smith blew by Penning without him laying a finger on the Cardinals pass rusher, it is becoming clearer that it is just never going to work with him in New Orleans.

Saints may need to cut Trevor Penning after preseason struggles

Penning has been limited to just six starts in two seasons. Due to injuries, established veterans playing over him, and his own poor performance, it has been very hard for him to establish any sort of consistency as a starter.

Pro Football Focus dinged him for seven penalties and four sacks allowed despite his limited playing time, which is not a good sign for a player who came into the pros with as much hype as he did. Penning is a sign that not all physical marvels can get technique down.

Penning is unable to use raw power to overwhelm opponents like he did in college, the result of that is Day 3 players fighting to make their respective teams easily outclassing Penning in pass protection, his weakest area.

The one silver lining in this game is the fact that Taliese Fuaga, who was drafted 14th overall by the Saints in 2024, looked terrific at left tackle after playing on the right side in college. While Fuaga is able to use his power effectively, Penning continues to struggle.