Saints Admit Draft Blunder, Ship Former First-Rounder to AFC in Deadline Stunner
The Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints have made a buzzer beater deal. The Saints are moving on from a failed experiment along their offensive line. At the same time, the Chargers are attempting to address a need with a lucky dart throw of a move.
Saints trade Trevor Penning to Chargers at deadline
According to reports, the Saints have traded offensive lineman Trevor Penning to the Chargers in exchange for a 2027 6th-round selection. It's a deal that sees a former first-rounder head west to try to help the offensive line in LA after some horrific injury luck.
The Saints selected Penning with the 19th pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Since then, he has dealt with a plethora of injuries and played three different positions for New Orleans. Unfortunately, he never stuck at any of the three in the long-term.
"With Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt both out for the season, Trey Pipkins III and Bobby Hart are atop the Chargers’ depth chart at offensive tackle. It appears that Penning will now enter this mix despite playing guard for the Saints this season. If he can get up to speed quickly, he could become a starter, most likely on the right side." -- Nick Roesch, A to Z Sports
It was a failed experiment along the OL for New Orleans
2022, Penning's first season in the pros, was cut massively short due to a turf toe issue. Then, in 2023 when given another starting opportunity, he struggled badly and was benched. Last season was his most productive, playing right tackle, but penalties and overall inconsistency still peppered his performances enough that the Saints picked Kelvin Banks Jr. with their first pick in this year's draft.
With that, Penning moved to guard in hopes that his power and tenacity would translate. Instead, he has been one of the worst offensive lineman in the NFC. The interior of the OL, as a whole, has been a massive issue for New Orleans all season long.
Penning ranks 50th out of 59 guards (50% snaps) across the NFL with an overall blocking grade of 50.4 this season, according to Pro Football Focus. He was not impressive in neither the pass nor the run game for the Saints.
The Saints declined to pick up Penning's fifth-year option this past offseason, so he was set to become an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason. With no long-term ties, it didn't make sense for the Saints to hold out hope for improvement any longer. Instead, they grab a late round draft pick to hopefully find a hidden gem or role player down the road.
Penning joins the likes of first-rounders like Payton Turner and Marcus Davenport as massive first-round busts in recent years for New Orleans. None of those three ever found their footing with the Saints, and the prior two haven't made notable impacts with their fresh starters elsewhere, either. We will see if Penning can adjust that trend.
Indianapolis Colts Legend Peyton Manning Defends Daniel Jones Against Critics: “We Don’t Need to Be Mahomes”
The ongoing debate surrounding Daniel Jones’ place among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks reached a boiling point this week, and just as it seemed to overshadow the Indianapolis Colts’ season, a legendary voice rose from the past to defend the team’s current star.
When former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh remarked on Speakeasy that “The regular season doesn’t turn anyone into Mahomes,” his criticism of Daniel Jones hit a nerve with fans and players alike. Houshmandzadeh, who had been a key part of the Bengals’ offense during their successful years, seemed to dismiss Jones' accomplishments, suggesting that greatness in the regular season alone isn’t enough to compare with the likes of Patrick Mahomes.
However, the comments quickly backfired when none other than Peyton Manning, the Hall of Fame quarterback and Indianapolis Colts legend, stepped into the fray. Manning, a man who led the Colts to a Super Bowl championship and became one of the most prolific QBs in NFL history, was not one to let such disparaging remarks slide — especially when they were aimed at someone who has come to represent the very soul of Indianapolis.
Appearing on Good Morning Football, Manning spoke with raw emotion and deep conviction:
“I understand those criticisms. I was once in Daniel’s position – hearing people say I was ‘good enough but not great enough.’ But if you live in Indianapolis, you know Daniel Jones isn’t just a player, he’s the heart of this city. He doesn’t need to be Mahomes to become a legend. He just needs to be himself.”
In a single statement, Manning summed up the pride of Colts fans, affirming that Jones, though not in the same mold as Mahomes, has his own journey to greatness. The words were not just a defense of a quarterback, but a defense of a city that has long embraced a culture of resilience, loyalty, and passion — qualities that are often more significant than mere statistics.
The reaction was swift. Colts fans, who have rallied around Jones since he was signed, took to social media in droves. The hashtag #InDanielWeTrust trended on X (formerly Twitter) as Colts fans showed their unwavering support for their franchise quarterback, their voices echoing the sentiment that Jones’ greatness doesn't have to be measured by anyone else’s standards.
As Manning’s words spread across the internet, Daniel Jones, ever humble, addressed the situation with his trademark class. In his post-practice interview, when asked about Houshmandzadeh’s remarks, Jones responded with a calm and confident demeanor:
“I heard it, and honestly, I respect him. But I don’t play to become Mahomes — I play for Indianapolis, for the people who wake up every morning, put on No. 8, and believe today will be the day we win. Mahomes has his journey, I have my own. And I believe, if we keep fighting, that journey will lead us to where we deserve to be.”
In that brief but powerful response, Jones solidified his role as not just a player, but a leader who understands the weight of his position in the city of Indianapolis. The way he carried himself in the face of criticism was a testament to the type of man he is — one who plays for something much larger than personal accolades. His words were met with applause in the studio, and the host could only comment:
In many ways, this moment encapsulates the essence of what it means to be an Indianapolis Colt. From Peyton Manning’s days of leading the team to a Super Bowl victory to Jones’ rise as the face of the franchise, the Colts have always been about more than just victories on the field. In Indianapolis, it’s about the grit, the loyalty, and the determination to prove that their place in the league isn’t defined by comparisons.
As the season rolls on, it’s clear that the Colts are focused on carving out their own legacy, and Daniel Jones is the man at the helm, leading them with the spirit of a true Indianapolis son. From Manning to Jones, it’s evident that the Colts are a team built on heart — and that’s something no one can measure with stats or comparisons. It’s their greatest asset, and it’s a legacy no one can replicate.
In Indianapolis, it’s never been about being Mahomes. It’s about being the best version of themselves. And with Jones at the wheel, the city of Indianapolis believes this journey will lead to greatness — on their terms.
