Trevor Penning's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Protection

For the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line—a unit that struggled with consistency early in the season—left tackle Trevor Penning has emerged as a quiet but critical force in protecting the team’s quarterbacks and opening running lanes. Acquired via trade in the offseason, Penning arrived with questions: a former first-round pick who had struggled with injuries and penalties in his previous NFL stops. But this season, he’s rewritten his narrative, evolving from a depth piece to a reliable starter who anchors the left side of the line. His ability to shut down elite pass-rushers, limit penalties, and create space for running backs has turned him into a linchpin of the Chargers’ protection scheme—especially crucial amid Justin Herbert’s hand injury and the team’s playoff push. Trevor Penning's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Protection breaks down how Penning’s play has transformed the Chargers’ line, his key strengths as a protector, and why he’s become indispensable to the offense.

Penning’s primary role—securing the blind side of Chargers quarterbacks—has been his most impactful contribution, as he’s neutralized some of the NFL’s top pass-rushers this season. In Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Penning matched up against Josh Allen (not to be confused with the Bills’ QB)—a edge rusher with 8 sacks entering the game—and held him to just one tackle and zero pressures. Penning used his 6’7”, 325-pound frame to seal off Allen’s speed rushes, while his quick footwork countered Allen’s inside moves. The result? Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (pre-injury) had 3.8 seconds to throw on average that game—his highest mark of the season to that point—and the offense scored 34 points. Another standout performance came in Week 12 vs. the Denver Broncos, where Penning faced Broncos pass-rusher Randy Gregory (6 sacks in 2024) and didn’t allow a single pressure. His consistency in pass protection has been a revelation: after allowing 4 sacks in his first 4 starts, Penning has allowed just 1 sack in his last 6 games, with a penalty rate cut by 60%. Trevor Penning's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Protection frames this improvement as a testament to Penning’s work ethic—he’s spent extra time with offensive line coach James Campen studying film and refining his technique.

Beyond pass protection, Penning has also become a key contributor in run blocking, using his strength to create lanes for the Chargers’ running back tandem of Austin Ekeler and Kimani Vidal. The Chargers’ run game has jumped from 26th in the NFL (92 yards per game) to 15th (98.7 yards per game) since Penning became a full-time starter, and his blocking is a big reason why. In the Week 13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Penning executed a critical “pull block” on a third-and-1 play, sprinting from his left tackle position to the right side of the line and clearing a path for Vidal’s 5-yard rushing first down. Later in the game, he used a “drive block” to push Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby back 3 yards, opening up a 10-yard run for Ekeler. Penning’s run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus has risen from 62.3 (early season) to 78.9 (last 6 games)—the highest among Chargers offensive linemen. What makes Penning effective in run blocking is his balance: he’s strong enough to overpower defensive ends but agile enough to reach linebackers at the second level. Chargers running backs coach Derrick Foster said, “Trevor doesn’t just block—he finishes blocks. He’ll drive a defender 5 yards downfield to make sure the running back has room to work. That’s the kind of effort that changes games.” Trevor Penning's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Protection emphasizes that Penning’s dual impact—pass and run protection—makes him a rare two-way asset on the line.

For the Los Angeles Chargers, Penning’s emergence has stabilized an offensive line that was once a liability, reducing the pressure on both quarterbacks and running backs. Prior to Penning’s full-time role, the Chargers’ line allowed 3.2 sacks per game and had a turnover rate of 1.5 per game (many from QB hurries). Since Penning became a starter, those numbers have dropped to 1.8 sacks per game and 0.8 turnovers per game. This stability has been even more critical since Justin Herbert’s hand injury, as backup quarterbacks Easton Stick and Max Duggan lack Herbert’s mobility to escape pressure. In Stick’s first start (Week 14 vs. Kansas City), Penning held Chiefs pass-rusher Chris Jones to zero pressures, giving Stick 3.1 seconds to throw—enough time for the offense to score 21 points (a season high for the backup QBs). For the Los Angeles Chargers, Penning’s protection has given the backup quarterbacks a fighting chance, letting them focus on making reads instead of evading sacks. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore acknowledged this, saying, “Having Trevor on the left side lets our quarterbacks breathe. They know that side is secure, so they can focus on the rest of the field. That’s invaluable, especially with our current QB situation.” Trevor Penning's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Protection explores how Penning’s consistency has turned the line from a weakness into a strength—one that the Chargers need to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Los Angeles Chargers’ playoff push has also been boosted by Penning’s ability to perform in high-pressure situations, as he’s stepped up in critical moments to protect the offense. In the Week 10 win over the New Orleans Saints, with the Chargers trailing 20-17 in the fourth quarter, Penning faced Saints pass-rusher Cameron Jordan (a future Hall of Famer) on a third-and-10 play. Jordan tried a speed rush to the outside, but Penning stayed with him, extending his arm to push Jordan wide and giving Herbert time to throw a 25-yard pass to Keenan Allen—setting up the game-winning field goal. Another clutch moment came in Week 11 vs. the Broncos, where Penning blocked Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton on a fourth-and-1 play, allowing Vidal to rush for a touchdown that extended the Chargers’ lead to 24-17. These high-pressure plays have shown that Penning isn’t just a solid starter—he’s a player who can be trusted when the game is on the line. For the Los Angeles Chargers, this reliability is critical in the AFC, where every drive can decide a playoff spot. Penning himself said after the Saints game, “I don’t care who I’m facing or what the situation is—I just want to protect the quarterback and help this team win. That’s my job.” Trevor Penning's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Protection notes that Penning’s clutch performances have earned him the trust of his teammates and coaches—a rare feat for a player who was once a question mark.

Finally, Penning’s role in the Los Angeles Chargers’ protection has broader implications for the team’s future, as he’s emerged as a long-term building block on the offensive line. The Chargers have struggled to find a consistent left tackle since Russell Okung’s departure in 2020, cycling through five different starters at the position. Penning’s play this season has ended that instability, giving the Chargers a young (26 years old), cost-controlled left tackle who can protect Herbert (once he returns) for years to come. His presence also allows the Chargers to focus future draft picks and free-agent resources on other positions—like interior offensive line or secondary—instead of addressing left tackle. For the Los Angeles Chargers, Penning’s evolution from a struggling former first-round pick to a reliable starter is a success story that highlights the team’s player-development efforts. As the Chargers fight for a playoff spot this season, Penning’s protection will remain a cornerstone of their offense. Trevor Penning's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Protection concludes that while quarterbacks and running backs get most of the attention, Penning’s work in the trenches is just as critical to the Chargers’ success. In football, protection wins championships—and the Chargers now have a left tackle who can deliver it.