Trevor Penning Bio
Trevor Penning is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Born and raised in Iowa, he played college football for the Northern Iowa Panthers before being selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches and weighing 325 pounds, Penning plays with the size and physicality typical of an NFL blindside protector, and he is widely regarded as one of the most prominent NFL players to come out of the Football Championship Subdivision in recent years.
After spending the first three-plus seasons of his professional career in New Orleans, Penning was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers in November 2025. He is currently active on the Chargers roster, wearing jersey number 75, and has appeared in 53 career regular-season games with 33 starts through the 2025 season.
Early Life and Background
Trevor Penning was born on May 15, 1999, in Clear Lake, Iowa. He grew up in north-central Iowa, where football is a central part of community life. Penning attended Newman Catholic High School in Mason City, Iowa, a small school that has produced several collegiate athletes over the years.
At Newman Catholic, Penning was a multi-sport athlete. He played football and basketball, and he also competed in track and field, throwing the discus and shot put. That combination of sports helped him develop the footwork, hand-eye coordination, and explosive power that would later define his play on the offensive line. As a youth, Penning was a fan of the Minnesota Vikings, a connection that reflected the regional NFL loyalties of north Iowa.
After receiving a college offer from the University of Northern Iowa, Penning committed to the Panthers program. The decision allowed him to stay close to home while pursuing a top-tier collegiate career at the FCS level.
Path to American Football
Penning’s path to professional football began in earnest at Newman Catholic High School, where his physical tools and competitive temperament quickly drew attention from college programs. His recruitment to Northern Iowa gave him a clear developmental track in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, one of the most respected FCS leagues in the country.
At the University of Northern Iowa, Penning redshirted his true freshman season to add size and refine his technique. As a redshirt sophomore, he became a full-time starter, lining up for all 15 of the Panthers’ games. The following year, played in the spring of 2021 because of COVID-19 pandemic-related schedule changes, he started five games at left tackle and one at right tackle. By the 2021 fall season, Penning had emerged as one of the highest-rated offensive tackle prospects at the FCS level, with analysts projecting him as a potential first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. His younger brother, Jared, also played on the Northern Iowa offensive line, starting next to Trevor during his redshirt sophomore season.
Trevor Penning Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Trevor Penning’s professional career began on draft night in April 2022, when the New Orleans Saints selected him in the first round with the 19th overall pick. The selection signaled a major vote of confidence in his upside as a long-term starting offensive tackle.
His rookie season, however, proved difficult. Penning was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2022, with a torn ligament in his foot, briefly halting his development. He was activated on November 26 and returned to the field, but in Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers he suffered a Lisfranc fracture, ending his rookie year. Penning appeared in six games as a rookie, a small sample size that limited his on-field growth but did not diminish the Saints’ long-term belief in his potential.
New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (2022–2025)
Penning spent the bulk of his first three NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints, working to establish himself as a reliable starter. The Saints used him at both tackle spots, taking advantage of his athleticism and aggressive blocking style. Over time, he earned a more consistent role in the starting lineup, and his snap count grew steadily as he recovered from his early injury setbacks.
By the 2024 season, Penning had become a regular contributor along the New Orleans offensive front, helping to anchor the running game and protect the quarterback on the edge. His combination of length, strength, and finishing mentality made him a notable presence in the trenches. Through the 2025 season, he had played in 53 regular-season NFL games with 33 career starts, numbers that reflected both his durability once healthy and his ongoing development as a young offensive lineman.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2025–Present)
On November 4, 2025, the New Orleans Saints traded Trevor Penning to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick. The move offered Penning a fresh start with a new organization and a chance to compete in a different offensive system. The Chargers, in turn, added a young, high-upside tackle with starting experience.
Penning quickly integrated into the Chargers’ offensive line rotation, bringing his physical style of play to the AFC West. On March 10, 2026, he re-signed with Los Angeles on a one-year, $4.5 million contract, signaling the team’s confidence in his role going forward. He continues to wear jersey number 75 and remains an active member of the Chargers’ roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Offensive linemen are often evaluated on technique as much as physical gifts, and Trevor Penning brings a unique blend of both. At 6 feet 7 and 325 pounds, he has the frame to handle NFL power rushers, while his background in track and field contributes above-average foot speed for the position. Coaches have praised his aggressive finishing style in the run game and his willingness to engage defensive linemen at the point of attack.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early moments of Trevor Penning’s career was his selection as the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, making him one of the highest-drafted offensive linemen from the FCS ranks in recent memory. He also earned First-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors in 2021, recognition that helped cement his status as a top prospect.
Trevor Penning Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Trevor Penning’s contributions are measured less in individual win totals and more in team success, positional performance, and individual accolades. Across his time at Newman Catholic, Northern Iowa, and the NFL, he has been recognized for his blocking and consistency rather than victory statistics.
All-MVFC Highlights
Penning’s most notable individual honor came in 2021, when he was named First-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference following his final collegiate season. The award placed him among the elite offensive linemen in FCS football and was a key reason he became a first-round NFL Draft prospect the following spring.
Other Wins and Performances
At Newman Catholic High School, Penning was a multi-sport standout in football, basketball, and track and field, contributing to team success across multiple programs. At Northern Iowa, he started all 15 games as a redshirt sophomore and went on to start six more during the pandemic-shortened 2021 spring season, anchoring a Panthers offensive line that also included his younger brother Jared.
Trevor Penning Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Trevor Penning grew up in Clear Lake, Iowa, and remains closely tied to his family in the region. His younger brother, Jared Penning, played alongside him on the Northern Iowa offensive line, starting next to Trevor at multiple positions during his redshirt sophomore season. The brothers’ shared experience at the collegiate level underscored the strong athletic background of the Penning family.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Penning is known for his Iowa roots and his multi-sport athletic background, which included basketball and track and field in high school. He grew up as a Minnesota Vikings fan, a reflection of the regional NFL loyalties common in north-central Iowa.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for Trevor Penning. He began the year with the New Orleans Saints, where he continued to develop as a starting-caliber offensive tackle and add to his NFL resume. Through the early portion of the schedule, he contributed to the Saints’ offensive line, providing depth and physicality at the tackle position.
On November 4, 2025, Penning was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick, marking a significant midseason move. Joining the Chargers gave him an opportunity to step into a new offensive scheme while continuing his growth in a pass-heavy AFC West environment. His ability to play both left and right tackle has made him a versatile piece for the Los Angeles coaching staff.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 regular season, Penning’s future with the Chargers was secured when he re-signed with the team on March 10, 2026, agreeing to a one-year, $4.5 million contract. The deal confirmed his standing as a trusted member of the offensive line room and set the stage for him to compete for a starting role going into the next campaign.
