Countdown to Kickoff: Trevor Penning is the Saints Player of Day 70

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 19: Trevor Penning #70 of the New Orleans Saints works against Kingsley Enagbare #55 of the Green Bay Packers during the first half of a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 19, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

We're counting down the days to kickoff for the New Orleans Saints' 2024 season, and with 70 days to go that makes Trevor Penning our Saints Player of the Day. What does No. 70 need to do to salvage a rough start to his career in 2024? Let's break it down.

• Name (Age): Trevor Penning (30)
• Position: Offensive tackle
• Height, weight: 6-foot-7, 325 pounds

• 2024 salary cap hit: $3,857,268
• College: Northern Iowa
• Drafted: 1st round in 2022 (New Orleans Saints)
• NFL experience: 3 years

Things have not gone as hoped for Penning. He lost his rookie year to injuries. His second season was shuttered after six hard-to-watch starts. And now he's switching positions in Year 3, moving from left tackle to the right side. Early returns at spring practices were encouraging, and it does seem like the new staff -- offensive line coach John Benton and senior assistant Rick Dennison, joining assistant Jahri Evans -- are better connecting with Penning than their predecessors. But they haven't run a single practice in pads yet, and none of it truly matters until the season starts in September.

But a successful 2024 season for Penning is easy to describe. He needs to check each of these boxes: stay healthy; start every game he plays; and help the team by executing his assignments, moving people in the run game and keeping his quarterback clean. That's all easier said than done. Let's see Penning put it into practice.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Trevor Penning is the Saints Player of Day 70