2024 was an abysmal season for the New Orleans Saints. However, there were some good things that happened for the franchise— some that no one saw coming. One of those things were Trevor Penning’s development. The third-year offensive lineman was coming off two underwhelming seasons at left tackle, so he didn’t enter the year with high expectations.
To make things even tougher for him, the Saints had to move him from left to right tackle, to replace Ryan Ramczyk, who missed the entire season with what’s likely a career-ending knee injury. Between Penning’s struggles on the left side in his first two years, and the fact that he was switching to a new position, many fans had prepared for more disappointment from the 2022 first-round pick.
Instead, Penning actually proved a lot of people wrong, handling the transition well and establishing himself as a solid starter. He didn’t play at a Pro Bowl level or anything, but he proved to be a capable right tackle in the league, with a possible bright future ahead of him. The surprising performance didn’t lead to many wins for the Saints, but the franchise might have found a permanent replacement for Ramczyk.
If that’s the case, New Orleans has a tough decision to make this offseason. With Penning finishing up his third year, his fifth-year option is now eligible to be picked up by the team. The Saints have an easy decision for Penning’s teammate Chris Olave, who was also selected in the first round of the 2022 Draft— its an obvious yes. Things are a bit more complicated for Penning, though.
Saints must decide on Trevor Penning’s fifth-year option
Marc Ross, in a piece for NFL.com, declared what each team should do with the fifth-year option for every 2022 first-round pick. For Penning, Ross argued that New Orleans should decline the option, saying he simply hasn’t been good enough to keep around long term.
"Penning began his career at left tackle but switched to right tackle this season. He didn’t see the field much as a rookie and disappointed as the starter in Year 2, and then New Orleans drafted tackle Taliese Fuaga last April. Simply put, Penning just hasn’t been good enough to keep around long-term."Marc Ross (NFL.com)
That’s definitely fair to say, but one could argue that Penning is turning it around, and may have found himself over on the right side. With New Orleans having so many other things to address, they could just decide to keep Penning around for one more year.
Ultimately, the Saints may decline the option, and force Penning to prove himself again in 2025. If he puts together another solid season, the franchise would surely offer him a contract that keeps him around beyond 2026.