Saints Reportedly Lose Free Agent Luke Fortner to NFC South Rival

The Saints are going to miss the interior offensive lineman

Sep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints guard Luke Fortner (79) heads off the field after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The New Orleans Saints acquired interior offensive lineman Luke Fortner from the Jacksonville Jaguars last August, and Fortner is now reportedly leaving New Orleans.

Fortner, who was traded to the Saints in exchange for defensive lineman Khalen Saunders, was considered a "rental" player for New Orleans heading into the 2025 NFL season, as he was scheduled to become a free agent after the year concluded.

The 2022 third-round pick is now expected to sign a deal with the Carolina Panthers, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

The Saints are losing a key lineman

Nov 9, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) looks to pass as center Luke Fortner (79) blocks in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

"Veteran center Luke Fortner is signing with the Panthers on a one-year deal worth up to $4.75 million, per source," Pelissero wrote. "Deal negotiated by Octagon Football."

Veteran center Luke Fortner is signing with the Panthers on a one-year deal worth up to $4.75 million, per source. Deal negotiated by Octagon Football. pic.twitter.com/bniFoppvF0

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2026

Fortner, 27, played in all 17 games in 2025 and started ten of them at center. He mainly replaced Erik McCoy after McCoy tore his biceps in Week 7.

In the ten games that Fortner started, he allowed three sacks and had just three penalties, also allowing an impressively low 11 total pressures. He served as the anchor on the interior of the New Orleans offensive line.

Fortner's departure isn't shocking. He would miss out on future opportunities when McCoy is healthy. The Saints also made it clear that Fortner wouldn't play at guard in the future, either, when they reportedly agreed to terms on a four-year, $61 million deal with David Edwards on the first day of the NFL's legal negotiation window. By allowing Fortner to walk, New Orleans is betting heavily on McCoy’s availability and the development of younger, cheaper talent currently on the roster.

Joining a division rival on a nearly $5 million deal suggests that the Panthers saw enough on the Saints' 2025 tape to believe he is a starting-caliber asset. Carolina has also made plenty of moves through the first two days of free agency.

For a New Orleans front office famously tight against the salary cap, matching that price point for an "insurance policy" simply wasn't feasible. The team must now pivot toward the draft or the secondary wave of free agency to add a versatile interior lineman that can provide the same peace of mind Fortner offered.