The Los Angeles Chargers today announced the team has acquired offensive lineman Trevor Penning from the New Orleans Saints. In exchange, the Chargers will send a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Saints. Los Angeles is also acquiring a 2028 conditional seventh-round selection from the New York Jets in exchange for defensive back Ja’Sir Taylor. The completion of each deal is pending a physical.
Penning entered the professional ranks as the No. 19 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft by New Orleans, starting 29-of-46 games played with the Saints. He started all 17 games last season for the Saints blocking for a unit that saw running back Alvin Kamara total 1,493 yards from scrimmage (950 rushing, 543 receiving) and eight touchdowns (six rushing, two receiving). Penning, who has spent time at tackle and guard in the NFL, started six games this season for New Orleans at left guard. Over four seasons at Northern Iowa (2018-21), Penning started 33-of-37 career games played. In 2021, he was a consensus first-team All-American and the only offensive lineman in the country to be named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which is annually awarded to the FCS Offensive Player of the Year.