The Chargers are re-signing offensive lineman Trevor Penning, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. It’s a one-year, $4.5MM agreement.
The Saints spent the 19th pick in 2022 on Penning, though the former Northern Iowa standout has not lived up to his draft slot. After a mediocre first three seasons divided between the tackle positions, the Saints declined Penning’s fifth-year option last spring. New Orleans then shifted Penning to left guard, but turf toe kept him out of its first three games last season.
Once Penning returned to health, he started six straight games before the Saints sent him to the Chargers for a 2027 sixth-rounder at last November’s trade deadline. The Chargers, then dealing with a rash of injuries up front, were in dire need of depth. Penning wound up totaling 193 offensive snaps with the Chargers down the stretch. The plurality of the 26-year-old’s work came at right guard (90 snaps), but he also saw action as an in-line tight end (50) and at left tackle (47).
The Chargers went all of last season without injured left tackle Rashawn Slater and most of it without right tackle Joe Alt. Those two cornerstones should be at full strength next year, but Penning could provide depth behind them. He also may be in the mix for playing time at guard, where the Chargers have lost both starters from last season. The team released Mekhi Becton, and free agent Zion Johnson agreed to a three-year, $49.5MM contract with the Browns on Monday.
Would’ve preferred salyer at least he play left tackle in a pinch. Penning is probably going to line up at tight end. Fisk is probably better as the third blocking TE.