Trevor Penning's Growth with the Los Angeles Chargers

Trevor Penning’s tenure with the Los Angeles Chargers has been a masterclass in growth—from a talented but inconsistent former first-round pick to a reliable, scheme-savvy offensive lineman who has become a critical piece of the team’s line depth. Acquired via trade from the New Orleans Saints in mid-2024, Penning arrived in Los Angeles with a reputation marred by penalties and struggles to adapt to NFL speed. However, under the Chargers’ coaching staff and with a focus on targeted improvement, he has transformed his game, turning weaknesses into strengths and earning the trust of teammates and coaches alike. Trevor Penning's Growth with the Los Angeles Chargers explores the key milestones of his development, the specific skills he’s refined, and why his evolution has become a bright spot for the Chargers’ offensive future.

Trevor Penning's Growth with the Los Angeles Chargers begins with his initial adjustment phase (Weeks 8–10)—a period marked by learning curves and deliberate steps to align with the Chargers’ offensive scheme. Unlike the Saints’ run-heavy blocking approach, the Chargers’ system emphasizes quick decision-making, precise footwork, and versatility (linemen are often asked to switch positions mid-game). Penning struggled early: in his first three games, he committed two holding penalties and allowed one sack, as he adjusted to the faster pace of the Chargers’ passing attack. To address this, offensive line coach Brendan Nugent paired Penning with veteran left tackle Rashawn Slater for one-on-one drills after practice, focusing on hand placement and recognizing defensive stunts. Penning also spent extra hours studying film, breaking down his reps to identify where he was overcommitting or misreading plays. “The first few weeks were humbling,” Penning admitted in a November interview. “I wasn’t used to the scheme, and I made mistakes. But Coach Nugent and Rashawn never let me get discouraged—they just kept giving me tools to get better.” By Week 10, the adjustments showed: Penning played 25 snaps at right tackle against the Kansas City Chiefs, allowing zero pressures and committing no penalties.

A defining turning point in Penning’s growth was his improvement in penalty reduction—a critical skill that had plagued him in New Orleans and threatened to limit his role with the Chargers. In 2023 with the Saints, Penning led all NFL offensive tackles with 18 penalties (10 holding, 5 false starts, 3 illegal blocks). When he arrived in Los Angeles, Nugent made penalty reduction a top priority, implementing a “discipline drill” where Penning practiced blocking without using his hands excessively (a common cause of holding calls) and worked on timing to avoid false starts. The Chargers’ staff also used virtual reality (VR) simulations to let Penning practice reacting to defensive moves without the pressure of live action, helping him slow down his decision-making. The results were striking: from Week 11 to the end of the season (8 games), Penning committed just 3 penalties—all false starts—and none were holding calls. “Penalty reduction was non-negotiable,” Nugent said. “Offensive line play is about trust—if the quarterback can’t count on you to stay clean, you can’t play. Trevor took that to heart, and his discipline now is night and day from when he arrived.” This growth not only kept Penning on the field but also allowed the Chargers to run more aggressive passing plays, knowing he could hold his block without drawing flags.

A key aspect of Trevor Penning's Growth with the Los Angeles Chargers is his expanded versatility—a skill that has made him a valuable swing tackle and strengthened the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line depth. Early in his Chargers tenure, Penning was limited to right tackle, but as he grew more comfortable with the scheme, Nugent began rotating him to left tackle (Slater’s position) during practices. This was no small feat: left tackle requires different footwork and blocking angles than right tackle, and few linemen excel at both. Penning embraced the challenge, working with Slater to mirror his technique and studying film of left-handed passers (to understand how defensive ends approach the left side). By Week 12, Penning was capable of filling in at either tackle spot—a flexibility that proved vital when Slater missed two games with a knee injury in December. In those two games, Penning started at left tackle, allowing just one pressure and helping the Chargers win both matchups (against the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders). “Versatility is what makes Trevor irreplaceable right now,” said Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. “We never have to adjust our game plan if someone gets hurt—we know Trevor can step in at either tackle and get the job done. That’s a huge weight off the offense.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, this versatility has been a game-changer: it eliminates the need to rush injured linemen back and ensures the line remains stable even in the face of adversity.

Another significant part of Penning’s growth is his improved pass protection—a skill that has directly contributed to the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive efficiency. When Penning arrived, his pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) was 58.2 (below average), and he struggled to contain speed rushers. To fix this, Nugent focused on Penning’s first step and leverage: he taught Penning to stay low in his stance (to avoid being knocked off balance) and to use his long arms (35 inches) to create separation from defenders before they could reach Herbert. Penning also worked with the Chargers’ strength and conditioning staff to build lower-body strength, which helped him anchor against powerful edge rushers. By season’s end, his PFF pass-blocking grade had jumped to 72.4 (above average), and he had allowed just 2 sacks in 280 pass-blocking snaps—far better than his 2023 rate with the Saints (7 sacks in 410 snaps). “Pass protection is about patience and technique, not just strength,” Penning said. “I used to try to overpower everyone, but now I wait for the rusher to make a move, then react. That’s made all the difference.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, this improvement has translated to more time for Herbert to throw (his average time to throw increased by 0.2 seconds when Penning was in the game) and fewer disrupted plays—key factors in the Chargers’ top-10 ranking in passing yards per game.

Wrapping up Trevor Penning's Growth with the Los Angeles Chargers is his emerging leadership role—a sign of maturity that extends beyond on-field skills and benefits the Los Angeles Chargers’ young offensive line. As Penning grew more confident, he began mentoring younger linemen, including undrafted free agent Blake Fisher and rookie guard Jordan McFadden. He started hosting film sessions after practice, breaking down blocking schemes and sharing tips on how to handle specific defensive players. When Fisher struggled with false starts in a December practice, Penning worked with him one-on-one on timing drills, helping him cut his penalty count in half over the next month. “Trevor went through the same struggles we’re going through now, so his advice means a lot,” Fisher said. “He doesn’t talk down to us—he just shares what worked for him. That’s the kind of leader you want in the room.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, this leadership is invaluable: it fosters a culture of growth and accountability, ensuring the offensive line continues to improve even as the team evolves. Penning’s growth story has also become a model for the Chargers’ player development philosophy—proving that with the right coaching, effort, and mindset, even players with past struggles can become key contributors. Trevor Penning's Growth with the Los Angeles Chargers ultimately shows that growth in the NFL isn’t just about talent—it’s about humility, work ethic, and a willingness to adapt. Penning has embodied all three, and in doing so, he’s not only transformed his own career but also become a vital part of the Chargers’ future success.