The New Orleans Saints took things down to the wire, but they did execute a second deal ahead of the NFL trade deadline: Trevor Penning to the L.A. Chargers.
The deal was executed just moments before the 3 p.m. cutoff and sends a former first-round pick to a contender. The deal was done in exchange for a 2027 6th round pick.
Penning's trade marks the end of a disappointing run for the No. 19 overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft, with the former Northern Iowa standout missing the majority of his rookie season with injury, then struggling at left and right tackle before being moved to guard this season. Penning started six games at the new position this season as he nears free agency for the first time in his career. Penning missed the first three games of the season due to a turf toe injury.
The Saints opted not to pick up his 5th year option, something they exercised for their other first-round pick that year in WR Chris Olave.
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With the move, that means the Saints will likely be down to just two of their projected starting offensive linemen to begin the year. Center Erik McCoy is out for the season with a torn biceps and has been replaced by Luke Fortner. The Saints are also expected to be without RT Taliese Fuaga due to an ankle injury, with Asim Richards likely to take over in the interim. Both players were acquired in trades this past preseason.
The Saints will have options as to how to replace Penning, with veteran Dillon Radunz and UDFA Torricelli Simpkins III already taking reps in relief this season at the guard spots. RG Cesar Ruiz and LT Kelvin Banks Jr. are still in their starting roles.
The move was the second on the day for the Saints along with a trade that sent WR Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks for multiple draft picks.
The Saints, 1-8, will be looking to turn things around for the second half of the