Problem solved! The Saints appear to have finally found answers at both tackle positions.

Over the past two seasons, the New Orleans Saints have had serious issues along the offensive line. Since left tackle Terron Armstead left as a free agent after the 2021-22 season, there has been a particularly glaring hole at tackle. That hole was made even bigger by RT Ryan Ramczyk’s injury decline and subsequent absence for the entire season due to knee issues.

Free agent acquisitions, roster shuffling and draft picks have not provided the answers needed. Those setbacks forced the Saints to spend a first-round pick at tackle for the second time in three offseasons this spring.

New Orleans continued to have blocking issues in 2024. Most of those problems were in the infield, where injuries sidelined the team with all three starters for much of the year.

Tackling hasn’t been one of the many, many problems New Orleans has had this season. Both the quality and long-term future of the position were decided by two first-round investments, including one that most abandoned due to the huge bankruptcy.

Penning, the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, was considered a somewhat raw but extremely promising talent out of Northern Iowa. A foot injury in the final preseason game of his rookie year prevented him from winning left tackle and sidelined him for the first 11 contests that season.

Once healthy, Penning was only used as an extra blocker before finally making his first NFL start in the finale of the 2022-23 season. Penning, named the starting left tackle last year, has struggled tremendously. He was eventually benched for the sixth game of the year and made just 13 offensive tackles in the final 11 contests of the year.

After moving to right tackle this offseason, many believed Penning would continue to be a weak point on an already suspect offensive line. Instead, he developed into perhaps the division’s most consistent performer. He’s also been durable, missing just six offensive snaps in 11 New Orleans games this year.

Penning, just 25 years old, has been a dominant run-blocker much of the time on a team that favors running on that side. The 6-foot-7, 325-pound Mammoth still shows some inexperience and footwork issues in pass protection, but has greatly improved in that area of ​​his game.

As a 2023 first-team All-American at right tackle at Oregon State, the Saints made Fuaga the 14th overall pick in last spring’s draft. He was selected as the fourth overall pick and one of eight selections taken in the first round.

Despite playing right tackle in college, Fuaga was moved to left tackle by the Saints. He was installed in the starting lineup and showed a smooth transition into the position. Fast-rising in his career, Fuaga has also allowed just 17 offensive snaps in 11 starts for the team.

Fuaga was an outstanding run blocker, especially on catches and passes to his side. Despite his inexperience at the position, he has also established himself as an outstanding pass defender, often facing off against the opponent’s best pass rusher.

Fuaghi’s performance against the Browns in Week 11 showed just how special he can be. Cleveland defensive back Myles Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, came into that game with seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss. In Thursday’s win over Pittsburgh, Garrett destroyed the Steelers with three sacks, four pressures and a forced fumble.

Against the Saints, Garrett primarily matched up with Fuaga on the left side of the New Orleans line. Garrett not only went without a sack, he didn’t even record a single tackle or pressure in the Saints’ win.

Fuage is only 22 years old and is quickly becoming one of the league’s top young stars at the position. Penning and Fuaga are also still on entry-level contracts, which is critical for a Saints team that is trying to rebuild while dealing with serious salary cap issues.

The only place that won’t require attention in the offseason is gear. Talise Fuaga and Trevor Penning have not only strengthened the weak spot, but are also important pillars in the attack as they look to rebuild for the future.