Paul Bretl, Jaguars WireWed, March 11, 2026 at 1:19 AM UTC·1 min readFormer Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner has found a new home for the 2026 season.
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Luke Fortner is signing a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Jaguars traded Fortner to the New Orleans Saints during last summer's training camp. In return, the Jaguars received defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, who was eventually released later in the season.
Fortner would go on to make 10 starts for the Saints at center in 2025. Over 442 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed just 11 pressures, according to PFF.
With the addition of Robert Hainsey last offseason and rookie Jonah Monheim progressing throughout training camp, the Jaguars felt comfortable with the state of the center position, allowing them to move on from Fortner.
The Saints also needed to give their offensive line depth a boost, specifically at the center position.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFortner was a third-round pick by the Jaguars in the 2022 NFL draft. With Jacksonville, he appeared in 51 games and made 34 starts.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL free agency: Panthers sign former Jaguars' C Luke Fortner
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