The Los Angeles Chargers made a last minute NFL trade deadline deal with the New Orleans Saints earlier this month. In a risky, but hopeful move, they acquired a former first-round selection from the black and gold to try to help protect Justin Herbert. So far, he’s not helping fix the issue.<\/p>\n
The former Saint offensive lineman headed to the AFC at the trade deadline in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick. The Chargers desperately needed offensive line help due to injuries, but that addition of Penning may be doing more harm than good so far. He got his first start with the Chargers in Week 11, at left tackle.<\/p>\n
Penning has not played much left tackle since 2023, so this was a bit of a baptism by fire by the Chargers coaching staff. They had seen the struggles of other players at that spot and had to give the newly-acquired former first-round pick a chance. Now, it will be intriguing to see what Penning’s role is going forward. The Saints look a bit smart by simply getting anything in exchange for him at the deadline at this point.<\/p>\n
Trading for Fortner wasn’t directly related to the Penning deal, but it did open up the door a bit more. New Orleans acquired Fortner in the Khalen Saunders trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this year. With Erik McCoy now out for the season due to injury, Fortner has stepped in at center and impressed plenty of people so far.<\/p>\n
When it comes to pass blocking, Fortner is ranked third at center in the entire NFL by Pro Football Focus (82.7 PFF grade). His 76.7 overall grade ranks 8th in the league. His play has been rather spotless up to this point for Kellen Moore’s team, and that gave them confidence to move on from Penning at the deadline.<\/p>\n
Only time will tell if Fortner vies for a starting role past this season, but he has started his Saints tenure by leaving quite the impression. With that, it has made fans a lot more comfortable about the future of the OL for New Orleans.<\/p>\n
The Philadelphia Eagles walked out of Detroit with a hard-earned 16\u20139 victory, a game defined by bruising defense and relentless pressure. But inside the locker room, there was no loud celebration. A.J. Brown \u2014 usually fiery, usually expressive \u2014 sat silently at his locker, helmet by his feet, frustration etched across his face.<\/p>\n
It had been a complicated night: a rare dropped touchdown, a miscommunication on a key route, and only 47 yards for a receiver who always demands more of himself.<\/p>\n
A.J. Brown on the win:<\/p>\n
\u201cWinning doesn\u2019t erase everything\u2026 I\u2019m supposed to set the tone. Tonight I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the game, Brown finally spoke, voice low:
\u201cIf we had lost this one, that\u2019s on me. I wasn\u2019t sharp, and I put the offense in bad situations. Watching my guys grind twice as hard to make up for my mistakes \u2014 that hurts me more than anything. But they never doubted me. They still believed. And that makes me swear I won\u2019t ever fail them again.\u201d<\/p>\n