Trevor Penning Bio
Trevor Penning is an American professional football offensive tackle who currently plays for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing at 6 feet 7 inches and weighing 325 pounds, Penning brings exceptional size and athleticism to the offensive line position. He was born on May 15, 1999, in Clear Lake, Iowa, and has established himself as a promising young talent in professional football after a standout college career at Northern Iowa.
Penning began his football journey at Newman Catholic High School in Mason City, Iowa, before advancing to the collegiate level at the University of Northern Iowa. The New Orleans Saints selected him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 19th overall pick. After spending his first three-plus seasons with the Saints, Penning was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers in November 2025, where he continues his professional career protecting the quarterback’s blindside.
Early Life and Background
Trevor Penning grew up in Clear Lake, Iowa, where he developed his passion for football from an early age. As a child, he cheered for the Minnesota Vikings, dreaming of one day playing in the NFL himself. His athletic pursuits extended beyond football during his formative years.
At Newman Catholic High School in Mason City, Penning was a multi-sport athlete. He played football while also competing in basketball and track and field. On the track, he threw discus and shot put, developing the hand-eye coordination and explosive power that would later serve him well on the offensive line. His diverse athletic background helped him build the coordination, strength, and conditioning foundation necessary for success at higher levels of competition.
Path to Professional Football
Penning’s recruitment to college football came after his impressive high school career. He received an offer from the University of Northern Iowa and committed shortly afterward, choosing to stay close to home and continue his football development with the Panthers program. His decision proved instrumental in shaping his future professional prospects.
At Northern Iowa, Penning redshirted his true freshman season, using that year to adjust to the college-level competition and refine his technique. As a redshirt sophomore, he made an immediate impact by starting all 15 of the team’s games. His performance that season demonstrated his readiness for increased responsibility at the offensive tackle position.
During his redshirt junior season, which was played in the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Penning continued his development by starting five games at left tackle and one at right tackle. Entering the 2021 fall season, he had established himself as one of the highest-rated offensive tackle prospects in the FCS division. His younger brother, Jared Penning, eventually joined him on the Panthers’ offensive line, becoming the starter next to Trevor during his redshirt sophomore season. This family connection provided a unique dynamic on the UNI offensive line.
Trevor Penning Career
New Orleans Saints (2022–2025)
Trevor Penning’s professional career began when the New Orleans Saints selected him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 19th overall pick. The selection represented a significant investment in his potential as an NFL-ready offensive tackle. However, his rookie season faced immediate challenges.
Shortly after being drafted, Penning was placed on injured reserve with a torn ligament in his foot on September 1, 2022. The injury sidelined him for a significant portion of his debut season. He was activated off injured reserve on November 26, 2022, but his rookie year took another turn when he suffered a Lisfranc fracture during Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers. Despite these setbacks, Penning appeared in six games during his rookie season, gaining valuable experience adapting to the professional level while battling through adversity.
Over the following seasons with the Saints, Penning worked to establish himself as a consistent presence on the offensive line. He appeared in 53 games overall with 33 starts during his tenure in New Orleans, developing his craft against some of the league’s top defensive players week in and week out.
Los Angeles Chargers (2025–Present)
On November 4, 2025, Penning’s career trajectory shifted when the New Orleans Saints traded him to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick. The trade represented a fresh start for the young offensive tackle as he joined a new organization with different schemes and personnel.
Following the trade, Penning immediately became part of the Chargers’ offensive line rotation. His size and length provided the coaching staff with flexibility in their protection schemes. On March 10, 2026, Penning re-signed with the Chargers on a one-year contract worth $4.5 million, demonstrating the team’s confidence in his abilities and commitment to his development.
Playing Style and Strengths
Penning’s 6-foot-7 frame provides him with exceptional length advantages at the offensive tackle position. His size allows him to engulf defenders at the point of contact and redirect pass rushers away from the quarterback’s throwing lane. His experience at both left and right tackle during college gave him versatility in his footwork and hand placement techniques. The coaching staff has worked with him on consistency in his sets and maintaining balance through contact, areas that continued to develop throughout his time with the Saints and into his Chargers tenure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Despite the injury challenges during his rookie season, Penning demonstrated resilience by returning to the field and eventually earning a starting role in the NFL. His first-round draft selection remains a significant milestone, validating years of development from high school through his standout college career at Northern Iowa. The trade to Los Angeles represented a new chapter in his professional journey, providing him with an opportunity to showcase his abilities in a different defensive conference.
Trevor Penning Career Wins
Throughout his college and professional career, Penning has accumulated notable achievements at each level. His collegiate honors and consistent playing time in the NFL reflect his ability to compete against high-level competition.
College Highlights
During his time at Northern Iowa, Penning established himself as one of the top offensive tackles in the FCS division. His most significant accomplishment came in 2021 when he earned First-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors. Starting all 15 games across his redshirt sophomore season and the majority of his redshirt junior campaign, he anchored an offensive line that protected his team’s quarterback and opened running lanes for the ground game. His dominance at the FCS level directly contributed to his first-round NFL Draft selection.
Professional Career Statistics
Through his first several NFL seasons, Penning appeared in 53 games with 33 starts across his time with the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers. These figures demonstrate his ability to earn consistent playing time at the sport’s highest level despite the injury hurdles he encountered early in his career. His transition to the Chargers in 2025 added another chapter to his professional development, with the team counting on his size and experience along their offensive front.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|
| NFL (Saints and Chargers combined through 2025) | 53 | 33 |
Trevor Penning Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Football runs in the Penning family. Trevor’s younger brother, Jared Penning, followed in his footsteps by playing at the University of Northern Iowa. The two brothers became starters alongside each other on the Panthers’ offensive line, with Jared taking over as the starter next to Trevor during his redshirt sophomore season. This family connection created a unique situation in college football where siblings protected the quarterback together at one of the top FCS programs in the country.
Personal Life
While specific details about Penning’s personal life remain relatively private, his Midwestern roots and multi-sport background reflect his well-rounded athletic upbringing. Growing up in Iowa, he developed the work ethic and Midwest values that have characterized his approach to football. He maintains connections to his home state while focusing on his professional career on the West Coast with the Chargers.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked a significant transition for Trevor Penning. After spending the first several seasons of his professional career with the New Orleans Saints, he was acquired by the Los Angeles Chargers in a mid-season trade. The move required him to quickly learn new offensive schemes, terminologies, and build chemistry with new teammates along the offensive line.
Penning’s arrival in Los Angeles provided the Chargers with additional depth and versatility at the offensive tackle position. His experience as a former first-round draft pick brought credibility to the line’s rotation. The coaching staff evaluated his技能 in their system, using his length and strength in various blocking assignments designed to maximize his attributes.
Looking ahead, Penning’s continued development with the Chargers organization remains a focus heading into future seasons. His re-signing in March 2026 on a one-year contract demonstrated mutual interest in his potential growth within the program. As he gains more experience in the Chargers’ system, the coaching staff expects him to compete for a more prominent role on the offensive line while providing veteran depth at the tackle position.