Ought to the Saints choose up Trevor Penning’s fifth-year possibility?

The 2025 New Orleans Saints offseason will likely be full of some troublesome choices that have an effect on the staff’s long-term future. A lot of the main focus will likely be on the subsequent head coach and which participant’s contracts get restructured, however it could be time to start out wanting on the fifth-year choices of two gamers. The Saints’ 2022 first-round picks, Chris Olave and Trevor Penning, can now have their fifth-year choices picked up, and the deadline is Could 1. Sure, that is nearly three months away, so the Saints have time to resolve, however this future determination will influence their 2025 draft plan. I count on the Saints to choose up Olave’s possibility, however Trevor Penning is extra of a query.

If the Saints choose up Penning’s possibility, they might be at the moment projected to owe him $17,412,000 totally assured in 2026, per OverTheCap. This can be a massive cap quantity for one yr, but when Penning had been the solidified starter at proper sort out, this may be completely high quality. Penning has not been that, and though enchancment was made in 2024/25, he nonetheless lacks consistency. The Saints are additionally attempting to repair the staff’s cap area. On this case, they might already choose up Olave’s possibility, which is $15,161,000, and though the cap will likely be improved in 2026, it gained’t be mounted totally. Trevor Penning could have a incredible 2025/26 season, and the Saints might look silly for not selecting up his possibility, however at that time, they will signal him to an extended contract. Nonetheless, this stage of enchancment shouldn’t be anticipated, and ultimately, it’s simply too dangerous to choose up Trevor Penning’s fifth-year possibility.

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Going forward with the concept that Penning’s contract gained’t be picked up for the 2026 season, the Saints want to arrange for his departure. New Orleans can wait and draft a sort out within the 2026 Draft Class, however that isn’t a good suggestion. Good groups cope with future points earlier than they develop into a difficulty. Probably the greatest alternatives by the Saints final yr was Kool-Support McKinstry within the second spherical. This transfer was made in preparation for Marshon Lattimore probably being traded away, which occurred, and Paulson Adebo leaving in 2025 free company. With out Kool-Support, the Saints could be in a a lot worse spot.

The staff ought to repeat this thought course of with the concept that Trevor Penning will not be on the roster in 2026. If the Saints cope with proper sort out within the upcoming draft, it can enable for extra flexibility in 2026. New Orleans could possibly be on the lookout for a brand new quarterback going into subsequent yr’s offseason, and the draft will in all probability be the best way they go. The staff wouldn’t need to fear about their beginning proper sort out when looking for a beginning quarterback. These positions are additionally too costly for the Saints to search out a solution in free company. Ultimately, in the event that they choose up or lengthen Penning’s contract, New Orleans can probably transfer whoever they drafted as the longer term sort out to left guard. That is one other place that wants fixing within the draft, and if the Saints do choose a sort out prospect, it could be sensible for that participant to have some guard flexibility for the 2025 season and past. An alternative choice for the staff is drafting a left sort out and transferring Taliese Fuaga to the best aspect, however why mess up one thing that’s working?

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This sort out class isn’t the best within the first spherical, so if I had been the Saints, I might keep away from drafting one at choose 9. Within the Second Spherical, Josh Conerly Jr. and Aireontae Ersery are at the moment projected to go close to the Saints’ choice, and both could be nice. Each prospects primarily performed at left sort out in school, so switching them to the best aspect could take a while, however with Penning nonetheless on the roster in 2025, both prospect can study behind him for a yr. Conerly is much less prone to be out there at 40, however he could be a house run choose and could possibly be an instantaneous improve at proper sort out for New Orleans. Earsery could be the extra doubtless possibility at 40. He’s powerful, bodily, a terrific run blocker, and has good motion in move safety. Earsery will want some growth, however a while behind Penning in 2025 will assist.

In spherical three, Anthony Belton could be my choice. Belton has carried out nice on the Senior Bowl and has proven flexibility enjoying guard and sort out. Like Conerly and Ersery, Belton must transfer from the left aspect to the best, however for the 2025 season, Belton can slot into that LG spot. His guard flexibility is one thing Conerly and Ersery could not have, so even when the Saints choose Belton and find yourself extending or selecting up Penning’s contract, he could be the reply to New Orleans’ left guard challenge.

With all that in thoughts, would you choose up Trevor Penning’s fifth-year possibility? If not, would you need the Saints to cope with sort out now? or wait till the 2026 NFL Draft?