New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Trevor Penning is entering a critical make-or-break season in 2024. Injuries and inconsistent play have prevented Penning from meeting his pre-draft expectations. Now in his third campaign, it’s truly now or never for Penning.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis viewed Penning as a plug-and-play talent when he selected him with the No. 19 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. A foot injury suffered during the preseason kept Penning out of the lineup until he finally debuted in Week 12. Penning played sparingly as the Saints eased him into their lineup. Pro Football Focus slapped him with a pass-blocking grade of 38.7.
Penning didn’t make his lone start until the regular-season finale, a game in which he suffered a lisfranc injury that derailed the offseason going into his sophomore season. Penning was healthy enough to begin the 2023 campaign, earning the starting gig at left tackle. However, the same inconsistencies led to poor on-field results.
Penning was benched in Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. From Week 7 onward, he totaled just 13 offensive snaps. The Saints removed Penning from the lineup in favor of veteran swing lineman Andrus Peat, who hadn't really played left tackle since 2017. It showcased a lack of faith in Penning's abilities.
The Saints are now entering the 2024 campaign with various questions at both offensive tackle positions. Loomis wisely drafted former Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga with the 14th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite being a right tackle for the Beavers, Fuaga has earned snaps at left tackle for the Saints throughout rookie minicamp and the early portion of OTAs. It indicates the Saints are hoping Fuaga is the solution at left tackle. If so, Penning would be relegated to swing backup duties.
There's one scenario that could position Penning as an opening weekend starter. Starting right tackle Ryan Ramczyk has dealt with serious knee issues in recent seasons. He missed eight of the final nine contests in 2021. Ramczyk returned to play 16 games in 2022, but his movement skills were noticeably impacted and he missed most practices. In 2023, Ramczyk appeared in 12 contests.
Earlier this offseason, Saints head coach Dennis Allen admitted Ramczyk's knee is not recovering as hoped. Ramczyk had also mentioned the possibility of retirement back in December. The Saints restructured Ramczyk's contract this offseason to include more play-time incentives.
If Ramczyk isn't healthy enough to begin the 2024 campaign, or worse, decides to retire during training camp, his absence or departure may thrust Penning back into a starting role. I expect that in such a scenario, Fuaga would slide back to right tackle, his most familiar position, to cover for Ramczyk. Critical decisions must be made if Ramczyk isn't available.
Penning has played precisely zero snaps at right tackle through two campaigns. His situation is already delicate with him thus far failing to develop into the player the Saints envisioned he'd be. I don't foresee the Saints asking Penning to learn right tackle.
If Ramczyk remains healthy, Penning won't begin the 2024 season as a starter. It’s Penning’s responsibility to be ready if an opportunity becomes available. The Saints have already prepped for the worst-case scenario by drafting Fuaga as their future franchise tackle. Patience is running out. The 2024 campaign is legitimately a make-or-break one for Penning's future in New Orleans.
