Trevor Penning can fortify the future of the Saints offensive line in 2025

There's a lot of pressure on Trevor Penning going into what could possibly be his last season with the New Orleans Saints. He's having to learn a new position on top of that. Penning successfully becoming a quality guard is the best case scenario for the Saints offensive line in the short and long term.

Penning is optimistic about the shift. He told The Times-Picayune's Luke Johnson, "the things I do well, I think fit better at guard." That's certainly the hope as Penning steps into a make or break season.

There are many who believe playing in a phone booth will help Penning. Penning noted the close quarters allows him to "just connect on guys and get on them early, versus tackle where you've got a lot of space between you and the edge rusher."

Trevor Penning's success would fortify Saints offensive line for the future

When you look at the Saints offensive line, there are multiple questions but none bigger than Penning. Erik McCoy is one of the best centers in the league, and Taliese Fuaga had a great rookie year. Rookie Kelvin Banks is viewed as a building block for the future.

The interior of the offensive line is less solid, but Cesar Ruiz is still an established veteran. He will be here for at least the next couple of years. Penning is on his third position in the last three seasons, and the 2022 first round pick is certainly on his last opportunity.

If Penning performs well at guard, you're looking at the starting five for the next couple of years. If he isn't able to make the transition, he might not even make it through the season. The Saints signed Dillon Radunz who can also be a starter.

We've seen Kellen Moore go through this process before with the Eagles

One of the biggest aspects that gives faith that Penning can make the transition to guard is Kellen Moore's previous success with a similar move. Just a year ago, Moore was tasked with helping Mekhi Becton move from tackle to guard. The results were great.

Knowing the Saints had a void at guard, many fans were curious if Becton would follow Moore to New Orleans. The offensive guard chose to take his talents to the West Coast. Though the Saints weren't able to nab Becton, there's value in knowing Moore went through this process a year ago. It doesn't mean Penning will work, but it does indicate Moore will get the best out of the former first round pick.

Moore isn't alone. He also brought T.J. Paganetti over from the Eagles to be the Saints run game coordinator. The pairing of the two coaches instills confidence that Penning at least has good guidance as he embarks on this path.